Summer 2007 Technology Exchange
Expo shares latest tips, techniques
This year’s expo, held in St. Cloud in April, covered topics ranging from removing graffiti to handling an angry homeowner after tree condemnation.
Roads Scholar grads honored at maintenance expo
Minnesota LTAP announced its second Roads Scholar Program graduating class at the Spring Maintenance Training Expo.
Cheri Marti accepts new position with DPS
Founding LTAP director now leads the DPS Office of Traffic Safety.
Safety
Anoka County project improves school zone safety
The Anoka County School Zone Safety Project, implemented in 2005 and 2006, involved a unique combination of a traditional school zone flasher with a radar-activated “driver feedback sign” to provide for a high level of school pedestrian safety.
Safe Routes to School program provides funds for locals
The Safe Routes to School program, part of the 2005 federal transportation bill, was designed to improve the conditions and quality of bicycling and walking to school.
Schools important for ‘destination exercise’
Creating more options to bike or walk to destinations could have positive effects on obesity trends and energy use, said Dr. Dan Halvorsen.
LRRB Update
Backs get some slack from mini paver
Pieced together by a city employee in his home garage, a prototype paver could do away with the back-breaking practice of repairing street cracks by hand.
OPERA project: Concrete Pipe Tie Bars
This issue's featured project is a new tie bar system.
Maintenance Expo
Controlling graffiti requires professional intervention
Speaker shares removal and prevention tips.
Handling the heartbreak of tree condemnation
Aborist emphasizes preparing for a range of reactions.
Maintenance Research
'Lil Pro’ crack filler ready for use
Last year a project funded by the Mn/DOT Maintenance Operations Research/New Technology Research Equipment Committee (MOR/NTREC) was tested in the field. This summer it moves into implementation.
Maintenance Research Corner
This month's highlights are a Henderson spreader system and a wireless mobile lift.
CTS Research Conference
Gaining support for roundabouts
Roundabouts offer promise for easing congestion and improving safety in Minnesota. Still, projects often run into opposition. Speakers in this session described educational tools they’ve used to overcome these obstacles.
Researchers aim to better understand rural road safety
New work being done to better understand rural road safety was a hot topic at this year’s research conference.
Local roads bear brunt of biofuels revolution
Minnesota’s agricultural areas are facing sweeping changes due to the boom in biofuels. What are the possible impacts on transportation infrastructure if this growth continues?
Information Services
Report identifies trends, factors affecting bicycle crash rates
Transportation researchers at the University of Minnesota recently completed a research report on safety issues affecting cyclists and pedestrians in Minnesota.
Mn/DOT State Aid Division updates manual
The Minnesota Department of Transportation’s State Aid for Local Transportation (SALT) Division recently completed a major update and redesign of its State Aid Manual, which provides the official guidance, rules, and procedures for state and federal aid transportation projects.
Events & Training
LTAP Training & Events Calendar
For an up-to-date list of events in Minnesota, please see the LTAP training and events calendar
Seal coat, geosynthetics workshops set for fall
The Seal Coat Operations workshop is being offered in November in four locations: Mankato, Arden Hills, Baxter, and Duluth. The Geosynthetics workshop will be held in October in Brainerd, Shoreview, and Rochester.
LTAP/CTAP to offer new class at fall expo
New this year, Minnesota LTAP is offering a “Snow and Ice Material Application” class emphasizing the environmental impacts of snow and ice removal on roadways. Taught by CTAP instructor Kathy Schaefer, the class will be a day-long workshop on the second day of the expo.
[Your Name Here] becomes a Roads Scholar
Would you like to see your name up in lights as a new Roads Scholar? It’s easier than you might think.