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 … Read more
Have a research idea? This year, Clear Roads is inviting members of the winter maintenance and research communities to submit ideas for consideration as future Clear Roads research topics. We welcome great ideas from anyone! Clear Roads funds winter maintenance research in six topic areas, with a focus on: Evaluating winter maintenance materials, equipment and … Read more
Clear Roads has reposted a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the following research project: Efficacy, Cost, and Impacts of Non-Chloride Deicers: An Educational Primer and Product Information Sheets Investigator proposals are due Friday, December 17. Please see the RFP page for more information.
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 … Read more
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, … Read more
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. … Read more
Clear Roads has posted a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an additional research project in the 2021 funding cycle: Efficacy, Cost, and Impacts of Non-Chloride Deicers: An Educational Primer and Product Information Sheets—Proposals due September 17 As a reminder, Clear Roads is also soliciting investigator proposals for the following research projects: Grip Sensor Technology and … Read more
Clear Roads is currently soliciting investigator proposals for six new research projects: Grip Sensor Technology and Salt Applications Best Practices for Protecting DOT Equipment from the Corrosion Effect of Chemical Deicers (Update to CR 13-04) Training Module Development for CR 18-03: Evaluation of SSI and WSI Variables Evaluation of Electric Vehicle Technologies and Alternative Fuels for … Read more
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, … Read more
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:
Congratulations to all of the winners!
Image source: South Dakota DOT