Mobile operations can either move continuously along the roadway as during most striping operations, or intermittently as during a pothole patching operation. Mobile operations on two-lane roadways present unique challenges to transportation agencies, not the least of which is the highly variable conditions encountered in the field. The TRB National Cooperative Highway Research Program's NCHRP Web-Only Document 354: Safe and Effective Temporary Traffic Control for Mobile Operations on Two-Lane Roadways d...

Federal, state, and municipal transportation agencies have taken steps to advance the integration of transportation planning and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to create more unified decision-making processes, reduce duplication of efforts, and support better informed project-level decisions. The TRB National Cooperative Highway Research Program's NCHRP Legal Research Digest 89: Planning and Environment Linkages: Review of Statutory Authority and Case Law details the origins and evolution o...

Fatigue cracks developed under repetitive traffic loads are a major threat to maintaining the structural integrity of steel bridges. It is believed that 50 percent to 90 percent of all mechanical failures in metallic structures are fatigue related. The TRB IDEA (Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis) Program's NCHRP IDEA Final Report for Project 223: Fatigue Crack Inspection Using Computer Vision and Augmented Reality proposes a new concept that integrates computer-vision-based motion tracking and a...

A self-healing and conveniently removable pavement marking material allows for an increased marking life expectancy compared to existing epoxy systems. The TRB IDEA (Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis) Program's NCHRP IDEA Final Report for Project 219: A Novel Durable, Healable, and Conveniently Removable Pavement Marking Material Suitable for Both Permanent and Temporary Marking Uses details the development of a pavement marking material that can be used for both permanent and temporary applicat...

Anchor bolts, as a connection system used at the base of most highway support structures, commonly suffer from loosening effects that may impose high risk on collapse for the structures. The TRB IDEA (Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis) Program's NCHRP IDEA Final Report for Project 196: Smart Installation and Monitoring System for Large Anchor Bolts of Support Structures Made with 3D Printing Enhancement aims to develop a capacitance-based smart washer system that serves as an efficient way to mo...

A January 31, 2023 letter report from TRB's Committee for the Review of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Infrastructure R&D Program's Long-Term Infrastructure Program (LTIP) summarizes recent program progress, strategic issues, and committee recommendations for future actions. The program has produced some useful products and results over the past year. Although FHWA’s infrastructure research and development is considerably broader than the LTIP, the latter is the sole focus of this committee’s ...

Transportation construction inspectors (CIs) have specific expertise in areas such as earthwork, structures, and pavement. CIs apply this expertise to ensure that construction work meets or exceeds the construction contract requirements. State departments of transportation are facing attrition in the CI workforce and losses in institutional knowledge among CIs as a result of retirements, agency downsizing, and fewer individuals pursuing construction inspection. The number of candidate CIs is projected to...

Construction inspectors (CIs) are the frontline workforce that ensures the work on transportation infrastructure projects meets the design and contract requirements and that the finished product meets or exceeds the quality standards. The TRB National Cooperative Highway Research Program's NCHRP Web-Only Document 337: Training and Certification of Construction Inspectors for Transportation Infrastructure details the process for developing NCHRP Research Report 1027: Guide to Recruiting, Developing, and R...

To address coastal infrastructure protection related to hurricanes and storm surge, SEAHIVE was developed as a sustainable estuarine and marine revetment system in Florida. This topic is explored in the the September-October 2022 edition (Issue 341) of  TR News , TRB's magazine. TR News  is TRB's bimonthly magazine featuring timely articles on innovative and state-of-the-art research practice in all modes of transportation. It also includes brief news items of interest to the transportation com...

Long-term vegetation management strategies that decrease the need for routine chemical and mechanical vegetation control can reduce recurring maintenance costs, highway worker exposure to traffic, impacts to the environment and cultural resources, and maintenance-related delays to the traveling public. However, these strategies vary in their effectiveness, longevity, initial construction costs, maintenance requirements, and aesthetic values. The TRB National Cooperative Highway Research Program's NCHRP W...