Posts Categorized: Technical Articles

GRS Model Helps Deploy Innovation

Posted & filed under Every Day Counts Initiative, Technical Articles.

Article from FHWA Innovator, Volume 7, Issue 40

A tabletop model is showing Pennsylvania audiences how geosynthetic reinforced soils can improve the way bridges are built.

The geosynthetic reinforced soil integrated bridge system, a Federal Highway Administration Every Day Counts innovation, uses geosynthetic reinforcement and granular soils as a composite material to build abutments and approach embankments that are less likely to settle and create a bump at the end of the bridge. The GRS-IBS is easy to build and maintain and more cost-effective than conventional construction methods.

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April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Posted & filed under Technical Articles.

New texting and mobile phone restrictions for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers

The FMCSA and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) have published rules specifically prohibiting interstate truck and bus drivers and drivers who transport placardable quantities of hazardous materials from texting or using hand-held mobile phones while operating their vehicles. The joint rules are the latest actions by the U.S. Department of Transportation to end distracted driving. Violations can result in fines and/or disqualifications and will impact a motor carrier’s and/or driver’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) results.

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When Do You Need to Install a Curb Ramp?

Posted & filed under Technical Articles.

By Allan Heydorn on Jan 31, 2014

Ever since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted in 1990 public agencies and contractors working on roads, city streets and highways were forced to play a guessing game to determine when a curb ramp needed to be installed.

But effective January 1 of this year contractors received some guidance. The U.S. Dept. of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Justice, which enforces the Act, have drawn clear lines between when a curb ramp must be installed and when it doesn’t have to be.

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GRS-IBS Offers Unique Advantages in the Construction of Small Bridges

Posted & filed under LHTAC News, Technical Articles.

Instead of conventional bridge support technology, Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil (GRS) Integrated Bridge System (IBS) technology uses alternating layers of compacted granular fill material and fabric sheets of geotextile reinforcement to provide support for the bridge. GRS also provides a smooth transition from the bridge onto the roadway, and alleviates the “bump at the bridge” problem caused by uneven settlement between the bridge and approaching roadway. The technology offers unique advantages in the construction of small bridges, including:

  • Reduced construction time and cost, with costs reduced 25 to 60 percent from conventional construction methods.
  • Easy to build with common equipment and materials; easy to maintain because of fewer parts.
  • Flexible design that’s easily modified in the field for unforeseen site conditions, including unfavorable weather conditions.

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Who’s Most at Risk of Driving Drowsy

Posted & filed under Technical Articles.

Anyone who drives is at risk of falling asleep at the wheel, but some groups of people are more at risk than others. They include:


• Young drivers – Combining inexperience with sleepiness and a tendency to drive at night puts young people at risk, especially males aged 16-25 years.

• Shift workers and people working long hours – People who work night shifts, rotating shifts, double shifts or work more than one job have a six-fold increase in drowsy driving crashes.

• Commercial drivers – Those who drive a high number of miles and drive at night are at significantly higher risk for fall-asleep crashes. Commercial drivers have also been found to be at a high risk for sleep disorders.

• People with untreated sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – People with untreated OSA are up to seven times more likely to have a drowsy driving crash. For some people insomnia can increase fatigue.

• Business travelers – Frequent travelers who may be suffering from jet lag and crossing time zones, spending long hours behind the wheel or getting too little sleep. http://drowsydriving.org