Training, Tools, Guidance and Countermeasures for Locals

Posted January 22, 2015 & filed under LHTAC News.

The link below offers training, tools, guidance and countermeasures that are currently available to rural and local governments. The FHWA Office of Safety, Local and Rural team is continuously looking for new ways to meet the needs of local and rural road owners and operators. Insuring that tools meet the needs of the users and that they have the resources and training they need to effectively use the tools is a critical part of the solution.

Training, Tools, Guidance and Countermeasures for Locals http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/local_rural/training/.

Manuals Available through FHWA for Local Rural Road Owners

2015 FLAP Request for Proposals

Posted January 13, 2015 & filed under Funding News.

The Western Federal Lands Highway Division (WFLHD) of the Federal Highway Administration is soliciting for capital improvement, enhancement, surface preservation, transit, planning, and research proposals to receive funds through the Idaho Federal Lands Program in fiscal years 2018 and 2019. Proposal awards will be contingent upon availability of funds. (more…)

Accessibility Symbol for Traffic Control Devices

Posted January 8, 2015 & filed under LHTAC News, Technical Articles.

ACTION: Please be sure that your State and local transportation agencies are aware of this matter.

Requests are being made of State and local transportation agencies and municipalities to substitute the International Symbol of Accessibility with alternative “dynamic” designs created by advocacy groups. One group is encouraging citizens to cover existing symbols on signs and pavement markings with their alternative graphic and, in some cases, has used alternative colors.

These alternative symbol designs are not authorized for use in traffic control device applications, nor have they been adopted or endorsed by the U. S. Access Board, which reports to the U.S. Department of Justice and is responsible for issuing Federal regulations on accessibility. Additionally, the International Organization for Standards does not support the alternative symbol design. The only symbols allowed for use in traffic control device applications are those found in the MUTCD.

The official International Symbol of Accessibility adopted by the MUTCD for use in traffic control device applications is illustrated below. Fabrication details can be found in the MUTCD and Standard Highway Signs. Additional information on this matter is available in the MUTCD technical area of the operations discipline support site.

Lifting Heavy Loads

Posted January 5, 2015 & filed under Technical Articles.

Exercise caution when lifting heavy loads

National Safety Council

In 2011, the back was the body part involved in the largest percentage of injuries involving days away from work, according to the 2014 edition of the National Safety Council’s “Injury Facts.” Although many events can lead to back injuries, OSHA notes that lifting loads that are too heavy can be especially hazardous. (more…)

Repurposing Truck Tires

Posted January 5, 2015 & filed under Technical Articles.

Repurposing truck tires as wing plow cutting edges

Michigan LTAP

In 2006, the Ottawa County Road Commission began using 7-foot wing plows on their single axle plow trucks. The wings proved to be beneficial for more efficient plowing, but Ottawa CRC operators found that the steel cutting edges would catch on manhole covers and other roadway features in urban areas. The cutting edges also wore out quickly and were expensive to replace. (more…)