Gradation Optimization Tool for Granular-Surfaced Roads
September 21, 2023 – 10:00 am PT
The focus of this webinar will be a tool developed as part of a research project on cost-effectively recycling existing degraded granular surface materials. The tool allows engineers to mix existing roadway materials with fresh aggregates in optimized proportions to achieve a target gradation and plasticity that will maximize performance and durability. This spreadsheet-based tool has been distributed throughout Iowa and is available online. Registration required.
Risk Management Lessons Learned from Lawsuits Against Local Road Agencies
October 26, 2023 – 10:00 am PT
A road agency’s legal duties and the implications of tort liability are discussed in this webinar. The speaker examined about 50 fatal and serious injury crashes on low-volume roads from his forensic experience, and the results of this analysis will be presented. Noteworthy findings include the role of driveways as a source of contamination of the roadway surface and the significance of transitions such as from a paved road to gravel road or from one cross-section width to another. Risk management strategies discussed include conducting operational reviews, paying attention to written and spoken words, regularly reviewing policies and manuals, safety training for maintainers, and good documentation. Registration required.
W-Beam Bridge Rails for Low-Volume Rural Roads: Issues and Solutions
November 16, 2023 – 10:00 am PT
W-beam and thrie-beam rails are commonly used as bridge rails on rural, county roadways. However, due to a lack of understanding these railings, many of these bridge rails are installed improperly. Common safety issues include a lack of guardrail anchorage, inadequate run-out lengths, guardrail blunt ends, and large posts posing as snag risks. This presentation explores these issues and their negative effects on safety performance. Additionally, multiple crashworthy W-beam railings are detailed and discussed as options for either side-mounted or top-mounted W-beam railings. Finally, similar W-beam systems are presented for use to treat concrete box culverts. All of these W-beam systems have been evaluated and satisfy current Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) safety standards for TL-2 and/or TL-3 installations. Registration required.
Questions regarding these free webinars, please contact IOWA LTPA Director Keith Knapp.
