Category: News

For many transportation agencies, a new federal rule will mean changes to the way they train equipment operators who need to obtain or upgrade a commercial driver’s license (CDL). To help agencies comply with the new requirements, Clear Roads has developed entry-level CDL training materials for instructor-led classroom and behind-the-wheel training.

Available as a free download for any state or local public agency, the training materials focus on operators who are obtaining an initial Class B CDL, upgrading from a Class B CDL to a Class A CDL, or obtaining the hazardous materials endorsement for the first time. The materials include a fact sheet and timeline to help agencies achieve compliance by the February 2022 deadline.

For more information and to request the free materials, see the project page.

Image source: Indiana DOT

As temperatures drop, industry magazines are turning their focus to winter maintenance. Clear Roads research features prominently in two of them this fall:

• “Steering Clear of Crashes“: Clear Roads’ safe and defensive driving training materials are featured in the October issue of APWA Reporter.
• “Can You Hold the Salt?“: Clear Roads research on alternative methods for deicing is spotlighted in the September issue of Roads & Bridges.

In preparation for the season, winter maintenance crews from across the country demonstrated their skills at the annual National Snow Roadeo in September, with a four-person team from the Idaho Transportation Department taking home the national team title. Congrats to all the winners!

Finding and keeping skilled, dedicated highway maintenance workers has become increasingly challenging for state and local transportation agencies.

To help agencies navigate today’s employment landscape, a recently completed Clear Roads research project created a comprehensive guide of innovative, practical strategies for attracting and retaining new winter maintenance employees. Case studies cover recruitment programs, retention strategies, recruiting younger workers and those from underrepresented groups, and program improvements.

Check out the latest episodes from AASHTO’s SICOP Talks Winter Ops podcast:

• PIARC Winter Service Technical Committee: What’s in It for Me? (Episode 51): Steve Lund, Paul Pisano and host Rick Nelson—all members of the PIARC (World Road Association) Winter Service Technical Committee—talk about how the committee’s work benefits the U.S. winter maintenance community. September 2021. Podcast.
• The Year in Review (Episode 50): A review of SICOP activities over the past year and a look ahead to next year with SICOP Chair Steve Lund of Minnesota DOT. August 2021. Podcast.
• Six Summertime Projects for Winter Maintenance (Episode 49): A conversation with Paul Brown of Roadtech (formerly of Massachusetts DOT) about six summertime projects to help agencies prepare for the upcoming winter. July 2021. Podcast.
• Not All Pavements Are Equal When It Comes to Winter Maintenance (Episode 48): A discussion of winter maintenance operations on permeable friction courses based on Clear Roads Project 12-03. With study authors Michelle Akin, formerly of Washington State University, and Laura Fay of the Western Transportation Institute. June 2021. Podcast.

Image source: City of Fargo, North Dakota

Pre-wetting road salt helps keep the salt on the road’s surface, which makes winter maintenance more efficient and cost-effective. While pre-wetting practices are used by many agencies, they have not been extensively studied.

A recent Clear Roads research project took stock of the current state of the practice for pre-wetting salt and other solid materials, capturing details on equipment, methods, materials and application rates. Researchers also compiled a list of preliminary recommendations to help agencies get the most benefit from pre-wetting and identified areas for future study.

Download the final report: Review and Summary of Pre-wet Methods and Procedures, June 2021.

Photo by Dave Gonzalez, Minnesota DOT

 

South Dakota DOT’s implementation plan for its Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) and Iowa DOT’s study of corn-based deicers recently captured national attention as two of AASHTO’s Sweet Sixteen high-value research projects for 2021. The award recognizes the nation’s top high-value research projects as chosen by state DOT research directors in each of the four AASHTO regions.

In South Dakota, statewide deployment of the MDSS is already yielding operational and safety benefits, with researchers estimating a six-year benefit-cost ratio of 3.25 (including projected reductions in crashes and fatalities).

In Iowa, innovative research identified three promising blends of corn-based deicers that merit further evaluation as environmentally friendly materials that could reduce the use of salt.

The two projects were honored last week at the annual AASHTO Research Advisory Committee meeting, where Michigan DOT also received a Supplemental Award in the Safety category for its study of green strobe lights for improving conspicuity of winter maintenance vehicles. For more on these award-winning projects:

• South Dakota DOT: Maintenance Decision Support System Implementation Plan (Sweet Sixteen, Region 4) | Video presentation
• Iowa DOT: Corn-Based Deicers (Sweet Sixteen, Region 3) | Final report | Two-page brief | Video presentation
• Michigan DOT: Effectiveness of Green Strobes on Winter Maintenance Vehicles and Equipment (Safety Supplemental Award, Region 3) | Final report | Fact sheet | Presentation slides

Congratulations to all of the winners!

Image source: South Dakota DOT