Submit a Research Idea to Clear Roads!
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 Research Featured at Environmental Conference
On October 13, 2022, members of the Lake George Association in upstate New York hosted their annual Salt Summit to discuss strategies and technologies for reducing road salt. Clear Roads member Joe Thompson of New York State DOT spoke at the event, sharing highlights of the in-progress Clear Roads research project investigating ways agencies can … Read more
New Clear Roads Research: Understanding the Chemistry of Road Salt
As temperatures drop, sodium chloride loses its deicing power. Depending on conditions, adding more salt to a roadway may be ineffective and wasteful. To help maintenance managers make the most of their stockpiles and keep roads clear, this Clear Roads research project investigated how salt behaves at different temperatures and concentrations. With a new tool … Read more
Clear Roads Research Earns National Recognition
New tools and training materials developed by Clear Roads are featured in an article in the October issue of APWA Reporter. Designed to help state and local transportation agencies save time and money on their winter maintenance operations, these new resources resulted from three recent Clear Roads research projects: CR 19-03: Measuring the Efficiencies of … Read more
New Clear Roads RFP: Proposals due Nov. 9
Clear Roads is currently soliciting investigator proposals for a new research project: Effects of Additives in Deicing Salts at Lower Temperatures Please download the RFP document and DBE special provisions for more information. To view the details of this RFP, visit MnDOT’s Professional Technical Consultant Services. The deadline to submit a proposal is Wednesday, November 9, 2022.
AASHTO Targets Deicing Materials with New Lab Proficiency Testing Program
Does your organization have a laboratory that tests deicing products? AASHTO re:source is looking for you! Clear Roads is partnering with AASHTO re:source to help laboratories improve and standardize their testing protocols for winter materials used for anti-icing/deicing applications. Through its new Proficiency Testing Program, AASHTO re:source is helping to improve the quality of test standards, materials, … Read more
New Hampshire and Iowa Recognized for High-Value Winter Research
New Hampshire DOT’s study of LED snowplow lights and Iowa DOT’s investigation of self-heating electrically conductive concrete recently captured national attention as two of AASHTO’s High Value Research winners for 2022. 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 … Read more
Clear Roads CDL Training Materials Featured in APWA Reporter
Clear Roads’ popular commercial driver’s license (CDL) training materials are in the news. An article in the August issue of APWA Reporter spotlights how agencies are using the comprehensive, step-by-step training program, which is designed to help agencies comply with new federal regulations as they train equipment operators who need to obtain or upgrade a … Read more
New Clear Roads RFPs: Proposals due Sept. 7
Clear Roads is currently soliciting investigator proposals for four new research projects: Comprehensive Guide to Pre-Wetting Application Rates and Methods Best Management Practices for Liquid Chloride Storage and Pumping Systems Evaluation of Direct Liquid Application of Salt Brine vs. Granular Salt as Measured Through Various Performance and Safety Metrics Use of Dashboards for Winter Operations … Read more
No Boundaries Report Identifies Strategies to Recruit and Retain Workers
Workforce shortages are a top concern for transportation agencies across the country. With maintenance workers needed year-round to keep roads clear and safe, the No Boundaries Transportation Maintenance Innovations pooled fund program has published a new report designed to help agencies identify recruitment and retention challenges and uncover noteworthy and effective solutions. The recently published … Read more