Spring 2001 Technology Exchange
Pavement Conference Highlights
If your new car won't perform, odds are your warranty will cover any needed repairs. But did you know that warranties are also a growing option for your local roadway. Warranties and performance-based solutions were among the topics highlighted at the Fifth Annual Minnesota Pavement Conference, held in St. Paul February 22.
Maria Hagen leaves T2
Maria Hagen, T2 technology transfer engineer, resigned effective March 23 to become city engineer of St. Louis Park, Minn.
CTS, Grad School launch new certificate
program
Are you among the many transportation professionals who want to build advanced skills in transportation planning, engineering, or management, but haven't found an educational program that meets your specific needs? The Center for Transportation Studies (CTS) and the University of Minnesota Graduate School have created a program that may be just what you're looking for.
City, county engineers' associations present
annual awards
avid Sonnenberg of Minneapolis is the recipient of the City Engineers Association of Minnesota (CEAM) 2000 "City Engineer of the Year Award."
A day in the life of a city engineer and intern
As part of my internship experience with the Minnesota Technology Transfer Program, I shadowed John Rodeberg, the city engineer for Hutchinson, Minn., for a day in February. I found that the life of a city engineer is filled with variety and new challenges.
T2 instructors hone their skills at first-ever
T2 workshop
For the many who support the Minnesota T2/LTAP Program by giving their time and energy to share their knowledge and instruct a workshop, T2 offered a first-ever "T2 Instructor Skills Training Program" February 23.
Infrastructure backlog negates federal, state
budget surplus
n Minnesota we have attempted to gain increased (county) highway and bridge replacement funding for years. There has been no increase in the gas tax since 1988 and tax increases have been highly unpopular.
Microsurfacing improves ride quality
Microsurfacing originated in Germany in the late 1960s and was introduced to the U.S. in 1980. In Germany, microsurfacing saved a great deal of money when applied to wheel ruts in narrow strips to avoid destroying the expensive road striping on the autobahns.
Asphalt pavement maintenance handbook designed
for field use
The LRRB, in partnership with Minnesota T2, Mn/DOT, and the FHWA, has just published the new Asphalt Pavement Maintenance Field Handbook. Laminated, tabbed, and spiral-bound, this handbook provides guidelines for preventive asphalt pavement maintenance techniques for a variety of distresses and conditions.
Design-build Q&A
Q: What is design-build?
A: Design-build is a contracting process that brings designers and contractors together early in the detail design portion of a project.
Gravel road rehabilitation
Ken Skorseth of South Dakota's LTAP Center presented "Gravel Road Rehabilitation" at the annual pavement conference.
Continuing education FAQs
The 1999 Minnesota State Legislature passed a bill modifying the provisions of the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design relating to continuing education and other issues.
AirTAP workshops a success
Airport personnel need access to training and information about a wide variety of topics, ranging from runway maintenance to funding to new construction.
FHWA publishes guidebook, fact sheets on work
zone best practices
In October the FHWA released a guide to improving safety and mobility in highway work zones called Work Zone Best Practices Guidebook.
NACE list service for members
NACE List Service is an easy way to communicate with your peers. To join the list service see www.naco.org/affils/nace and hit the "Click here to Register for NACE Alerts or NACE List Service" button. The NACE Alerts are periodic e-mails regarding legislative action, and the NACE List Service is an e-mail group for sharing information. You can join either or both groups.
THe Millenium MUTCD—don't order now
Stephen J. Manhart, P.E., 2001 NCITE president
If you're like me, you are being inundated with announcements and promotions asking you to order FHWA's new millennium edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
Implementing GASB 34
In the fall of last year, the Exchange reported on new accounting rules known as "GASB 34" which will soon go into effect for local governments ("Local Governments Face New Accounting Rules," vol. 8 no. 4, Oct.–Dec. 2000).
What is GASB?
GASB (pronounced "gasbee") 34 stands for Government Accounting Standards Board Statement 34.
University, MnDOT honor Sabo for his support of
transportation
Officials from the University and Mn/DOT gathered in St. Paul on February 2 to honor U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo.
Earn Professional Development Hours (PDHs)
Are you up-to-date on your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements? The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) can help you meet your requirements quickly, conveniently, and cost-effectively.