Winter 2000 Technology Exchange
Writing a Good RFP
A clear,
concise Request for Proposal (RFP) is the beginning of a successful
project. The better the RFP, the better the proposal. This is true whether
the project involves planning, study, design, construction, or a combination
of elements. This article-reprinted from Mead & Hunt's Issues-will help
you write RFPs that will allow you to select the best qualified engineer,
scientist, or surveyor for your project.
Fall Maintenance Expo Wrap-up
Great weather, great attendance, and great educational opportunities sum up the 1999 Fall Maintenance Expo experience. The expo, held at the city of St. Cloud's Public Works facility September 29-30, included a snow "roadeo" where snowplow drivers competed on a marked course to show off their skills, and an extensive exhibit area featuring equipment, products, and services.
T2 Workshop Materials Help You Plan Training
Budgets
The new 2000-2001 Workshop Catalog and one-page workshop calendar are now arriving at your door. This spring, take advantage of this advanced information to help plan your training budgets.
New Workshops for Local Agencies
Although we plan in advance the T2 workshops we will offer, your agency's needs change, so our planned workshop offerings will reflect these changing needs.
T2 Center Seeks Part-Time Technical Support
Engineer
The Minnesota T2 Center is seeking a civil engineer on a part-time basis. This technical support engineer position will provide technical assistance on transportation-related matters to local units of government, training workshop design/development, workshop coordination, and/or instruction.
Using Reclaimed Glass for Aggregate Base
Minnesota
T2 Center to Expand Outreach The Research Implementation Committee (RIC)
of the Minnesota Local Road Research Board (LRRB) recently approved
funding for continued outreach and implementation of the ongoing "reclaimed
glass-to-aggregate" project.
And the Award Goes to...
Well, it may not be a Golden Globe or Oscar, but the following transportation professionals sure have a lot to be proud of anyway.
Be a Part of Technology Transfer at LTAP
National Conference
The 2000 National Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Conference is being held July 30-August 2 in Boise, Idaho. The conference provides the opportunity to enhance the centers' training programs and to learn more about new technologies and techniques.
Dealing with Those Blasted Bridges
When
removing paint by abrasive blasting from bridge steel structures, complicated
environmental regulations must be followed. Mn/DOT's Office of Environmental
Services developed a bridge compliance manual to assist bridge inspectors
and designers in simplifying these rules. It is designed to be a guide,
to comply with Minnesota Air Quality and Waste Management Rules with
regard to paint removal operations from bridge steel structures.
Svage Snow Daya
In Minnesota, we often say that we are at the mercy of Mother Nature when it comes to winter weather. It may be true that we can't control how much snow we receive, but we can plan in advance for ways to deal with it. What makes for effective snow and ice control? Although many factors are involved, timing is critical.
Improving Safety in Low-Visibility Conditions
A University
of Minnesota research team working to increase the safety of snowplow
and emergency vehicle operation in low-visibility conditions has received
a $2.65 million boost from Mn/DOT, the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA), and transportation-related industries. The University will work
as part of a larger Mn/DOT-led team that includes other public and private
partners. The three-year project will integrate technologies designed
to guide vehicles and avoid collisions into a comprehensive system to
assist drivers. Tests of the new system will be carried out on Minnesota
Trunk Highway 7, between Hutchinson and the Twin Cities.
Local Government Benefits from Trunk Highway
(TH) 7 Corridor ITS Study
The new Intelligent Vehicle Initiative is the newest element in a larger study of the Highway 7 Corridor. The study was primarily initiated through an effort of the Highway 7 Coalition, Inc., which included private partners such as Hutchinson Technology (HTI) and 3M in Hutchinson, Quast Transfer in Winsted, and Lester Building Systems in Lester Prairie, as well as local governmental agencies.
Work Zone Seminars Coming to a Location
Near You
Warning Lites of MN, Inc., is offering "Work Zone Traffic Control and Road Marking Seminar: A Common Sense Approach to Traffic Control," at locations around the state.
Can't Attend the Warning Lites Work Zone
Safety Seminars?
Then check the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse
Web site: http://wzsafety.tamu.edu.
CTAP Update
Twenty years ago when it snowed, we sanded. We literally sanded. Most of us had winter sand stockpiles that were mixed with just enough salt to keep the sand from freezing into a lump. As public expectations of snow and ice control have risen so has the percent of salt we mix into our winter stockpiles.
New Reports
Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities. AASHTO Task Force on Geometric Design, Washington, D.C.: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
New CD-ROMs
Introduction to Work Zone Basics and Flagging. Arizona Local Technical Assistance Program.
Extra Videos
Innovative Pavement Maintenance Technology. AASHTO, 5 minutes. (1 copy) The AASHTO Lead State Team on Innovative Pavement Maintenance Materials developed this video. It documents the equipment, materials, and techniques used in the best method practices on spray injection patching and joint sealing.
Learn About State ITS Projects at Guidestar
Web Site
Minnesota
Guidestar is the state's Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
program. Its mission is to research, test, and deploy advanced transportation
technology to save lives, time, and money.
The Time is Now to Voice Your Opinions
on MUTCD
The revised Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is scheduled for completion this year. The Federal Register process is in place for comments on the proposed rule making. A new chapter (Chapter V) is proposed for low-volume roads. This chapter is now in the Federal Register.
Where Do I Go for Timely, Geometric Design
Training?
Nowhere. Lake Superior College, in conjunction with Mn/DOT, is offering a 34-videotape series covering Geometric Design Training. This task-oriented, standardized course is unique in that it can be delivered in a classroom setting or an individualized self-paced style. Better still, this series is being offered to State Aid counties and cities at an introductory price of $1,300.