Geometric Design Practices for Resurfacing, Restoration, and Rehabilitation
Transportation Research Board
TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program Synthesis 417: Geometric Design Practices for Resurfacing, Restoration, and Rehabilitation documents the current state-of-the-practice related to nonfreeway resurfacing, restoration and rehabilitation projects.More

'Quiet pavement' being tested by more state DOTs
Government Technology
Freeway noise is one of the biggest public nuisances of modern society, and billions of dollars have been spent erecting sound barriers to muffle the din of constant traffic on America's freeways and thoroughfares. Virginia is joining a growing number of state transportation departments that are experimenting with the roads themselves in order to dampen the noise.More

Road to recovery: Transforming America's transportation
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Unaccountable spending is undermining America's long-term strategic priorities and the nation’s infrastructure is crumbling. Failure to reform the transportation system risks deepening the United States' dependence on oil, eroding economic competitiveness and increasing climate disruption. Waiting to make real improvements only drives up future costs, whereas responsible policies can improve transportation and reduce the national deficit today.More

Reconstruction of New Jersey Route 18 project named among best transportation projects in the Northeast
Rebuilding America's Infrastructure
The Reconstruction of New Jersey Route 18 project in New Brunswick, N.J., was chosen as one of the recipients of America’s Transportation Awards, which took place at the annual meeting of the Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials. The Route 18 project received an award in the on-time category for large projects.More

Auburn study: Smoother pavements could save 5 billion gallons of fuel per year for US
Better Roads
A new study shows that one road to energy savings could already be under the wheels of our cars: smoother pavements, according to the National Asphalt Pavement Association. Dr. Richard Willis, an assistant research professor at Auburn University, reported on July 19 that modest improvements in the smoothness of pavements could save up to 3.7 billion gallons of gasoline and 1.3 billion gallons of diesel for the U.S. every year — a total of 5 billion gallons of fuel for the vehicles being driven on our highways.More

Construction material costs continue climbing
Roads&Bridges
Construction costs again outpaced other producer prices in June, but contractors remained unable to recoup the costs through higher bid prices, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the ongoing cost squeeze will put new pressure on construction firms to reduce staff and possibly close.More

Stay-in-place girder forms net MaineDOT world record for composite vehicular bridges
Concrete Products
Harbor Technologies' hybrid composite beams, consisting of fiber reinforced polymer forms bearing ready mixed concrete and conventional steel rebar placed on site, support the new two-lane, 540-ft. Knickerbocker Bridge in Boothbay, Maine. Maine Department of Transportation approved the HCB as an alternative to initially proposed precast box beams.More

Sensitivity Analyses for Flexible Pavement Design with the Mechanistic — Empirical Pavement Design Guide
Transportation Research Board
TRB’s Transportation Research E-Circular E-C155: Sensitivity Analyses for Flexible Pavement Design with the Mechanistic — Empirical Pavement Design Guide contains the proceedings of a workshop that was held in conjunctions with the 2010 TRB 89th Annual Meeting. The workshop shared experiences from transportation agencies that have performed various sensitivity analyses using the MEPDG software, primarily related to flexible pavement analysis.More

A national interstate bike highway? Is it possible?
Sustainable Business
In this time of budget cuts everywhere, little in the way of positive thinking, and a refusal to give up on fossil fuels, the Association of American State Highway and Transportation Officials has approved the first new routes for a national bicycle highway since 1982. The U.S. Bicycle Route System would be the largest official national cycling network in the world.More