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Infrastructure Resources

Meeting the challenge of gravel road maintenance

A DVD created by Minnesota LTAP last year is now online. Gravel Road Maintenance: Meeting the Challenge is meant to provide instruction on proper gravel road maintenance techniques, either as a stand-alone tutorial or as an instructor's tool to introduce the topics. The toolkit consists of a six-part DVD and two PDF instructional resources, both on the Minnesota LTAP Web site.

Video clips are available using a Flash viewer:

• Introduction (5.8MB)
• Correct Roadway Shape (16.7MB)
• Shaping the Roadway (27.1MB)
• Good Surface Gravel (15.7MB)
• Dust Control (6.4MB)
• Additional Resources (7.7MB)

You can also request a copy of the complete DVD and the instructional documents at the site.

The DVD was created in partnership with SRF Consulting Group with funding from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) State Aid for Local Transportation Division.

Going into rehab: Concrete Pavement Rehabilitation Best Practices Manual

This manual, published in September by Mn/DOT State Aid, provides specifications for concrete repair of local city streets and county pavements. It was developed from existing concrete repair standards used by Mn/DOT since 1981, and incorporates successful modifications by the cities of Owatonna and Austin, Minnesota. For the first time, the manual also incorporates standards for sidewalk, curb, and gutter repairs into a specification format.

Content from the manual is used in Minnesota LTAP's Concrete Pavement Repair workshop. Minnesota LTAP is also under contract with Mn/DOT to redesign the manual into an easy-to-use format later this year.

The current version of the Concrete Pavement Rehabilitation Best Practices Manual is available from the Minnesota Local Road Research Board (LRRB).

Finding a balance between loads and roads

Striking a balance between the needs of commerce to carry heavy loads on roads and the need to preserve the significant investment in our transportation infrastructure is a delicate process. Both sides of the picture can present compelling arguments.

The LRRB Research Implementation Committee recently completed a 20-minute educational/training DVD, Loads and Roads: Finding a Balance. This DVD can be shown in its entirety for a comprehensive look at the subject, or it can be divided into about five-minute segments for viewing by different audiences.

The DVD is being distributed to Minnesota city and county engineers, along with a brochure and other materials that can be used when making presentations about this subject. The DVD will also be posted this spring on the LRRB Web site.

Managing your assets

Asset management is a strategic approach for allocating resources. Using management systems, software, and other tools, agencies can view the big picture before making decisions. The tools also provide data useful for informing county boards and other decision makers.

The Federal Highway Administration's Office of Asset Management offers many resources on its Web site. To learn how asset management can work for you, see the Office of Asset Management Web page.

Preserving your pavements

The following checklists are available on the Web site of the National Center for Pavement Preservation.

• Diamond Grinding of Portland Concrete Pavements Checklist (PDF)
• Dowel Bar Retrofit for Portland Cement Concrete Pavements Checklist (PDF)
• Partial Depth Repair of Portland Cement Concrete Pavements Checklist (PDF)
• Full Depth Repair for Portland Cement Concrete Pavements Checklist (PDF)
• Hot In-Place Asphalt Recycling Application Checklist (PDF)
• Cold In-Place Asphalt Recycling Application Checklist (PDF)
• Slurry Seal Application Checklist (PDF)

Bridge and culvert spring-cleaning

Conducting basic bridge maintenance and inspection at this time of year can help local agencies keep their bridges as strong and safe as possible. A checklist for spring-cleaning is available on the Iowa LTAP Web site.

Helpful plans for a culvert spreader are on the Idaho LTAP site. Kathy Schaefer, instructor for Minnesota's Circuit Training and Assistance Program (CTAP), says she'll use the plans and photographs in her culvert classes this spring. Get a preview at www.uidaho.edu/engr/ME/sr_des/culvert.

Training Opportunities

Truck-weight compliance training

Truck traffic in Minnesota continues to grow each year. Along with this growth comes concern by state, county, city, and township transportation authorities about possible damage to routes from overweight trucks. There are ways, however, for shippers and carriers to adjust their vehicles and loads to minimize roadway damage.

To learn how, attend one of the free training sessions now under way across the state. Funded by Mn/DOT, the training is presented by Northland Community and Technical College of Thief River Falls and East Grand Forks, and coordinated by Minnesota LTAP. Participants will receive one credit in Minnesota LTAP's Roads Scholar program.

For more information, see the LTAP's Minnesota Truck-Weight Compliance Training.

Minnesota Roundabouts Conference

Is Minnesota behind in using roundabouts for traffic control? Learn what roundabouts are, where they might be used, how to plan and design them, and how they operate at this conference, April 5–6 in Brooklyn Center. Speakers from Florida, Virginia, Colorado, California, Wisconsin, and Oregon, as well as Minnesota roundabout pioneers, will share their experiences.

Preliminary research indicates roundabouts reduce speed, fatalities, accident severity, delays, and vehicle emissions.

The Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota is hosting the event. Sponsors are Mn/DOT and its State Aid Division, the Minnesota County Engineers Association, the City Engineers Association of Minnesota, and the Federal Highway Administration. To register, see Mn/DOT State Aid.

If you can't attend or just want to learn more, try these resources:

• RoundaboutsUSA
• Photos of American Roundabouts
• Alaska Roundabouts
• Driving Modern Roundabouts (a Washington DOT video)
• text information for the Washington DOT video
• Sharing The Road Walking,Biking & Driving Roundabouts (942 KB PDF - a brochure from the city of Olympia, WA)

Oberstar Forum

The James L. Oberstar Forum on Transportation Policy and Technology will explore the value of integrating bicycling and walking into communities. Sponsored by the Center for Transportation Studies, the forum will be held April 10 in Minneapolis. For more information, visit the Oberstar Forum Web page.

Spring Maintenance Training Expo

Gravel roads, street sweeping, and trenching are just some of the topics on the program of the 2006 Minnesota Spring Maintenance Training Expo, April 11–12 in St. Cloud.

Sponsors are Minnesota LTAP, the Minnesota Local Road Research Board, Mn/DOT, the Minnesota Public Works Association, and the Minnesota Street Superintendents Association.

Register online at www.mnltap.umn.edu/register/expo.

Train the Trainer Workshop for Blowing Snow Control

The north winds will blow and we shall have snow, but no one wants it to pile up on roadways. This workshop will show roadway designers how to use state-of-the-art technology to help eliminate snowdrifts from forming along roads. Implementing these preventive snow-control measures will improve public safety, reduce snow removal and road maintenance costs, and provide economic benefits in travel time saved.

The workshop—geared for design and maintenance engineers, consultants, and county highway engineers—will take place May 2–3 at the Mn/DOT St. Cloud Training and Conference Center. For content information, contact Dan Gullickson at daniel.gullickson@state.mn.us.

Workshop sponsors are the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Center for Transportation Studies.

Register online for Blowing Snow Control.