Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-05-027
Date: June 2005

In Brief

Updates on the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) Calibration Center and Operational Improvements Pooled Fund Study can be found at www.pooledfund.org (search for study number TPF-5(039)). Information available includes progress reports and details on the study's most recent Technical Advisory Committee Meeting, which was held in April 2005 in Albany, New York. Fifteen States and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are collaborating on the study, which is designed to address issues related to aging equipment at the four Long-Term Pavement Performance program regional FWD calibration centers. The study's primary objectives include modernizing hardware and software used in the FWD calibration process, streamlining the calibration process, and developing long-term technical support mechanisms for existing and future calibration centers. Cornell University is performing the work under a contract awarded in September 2004. The contract's initial base period ends in September 2006, with the option to extend through September 2009. For more information, contact Eric Weaver at FHWA, 202-493-3153 (email: eric.weaver@fhwa.dot.gov).

Three new case studies available on FHWA's Work Zone Mobility and Safety Program Web site highlight the use of full road closure for work zone operations. The use of road closures for performing rehabilitation work has the potential to reduce construction time, increase work zone safety, and save money. The three case studies highlight the successful outcome of this strategy in Wilmington, Delaware, Detroit, Michigan, and Portland, Oregon. Each case study looks at project planning, operations, benefits and impacts of full road closures, and lessons learned. The case studies can be found at www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/index.asp. For more information, contact Tracy Scriba at FHWA, 202-366-0855 (email: tracy.scriba@fhwa.dot.gov).

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