HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) released its Focus on Innovations publication, detailing how the department cut through red tape over the past year to develop more efficient processes, improve safety and save taxpayer dollars.
The Focus on Innovations publication builds on the governor’s commitment to ensuring Pennsylvania is a leader in using common sense solutions to address the most pressing issues facing communities.
“As technology and best practices change, we’re adapting to stay on the cutting edge of innovation in transportation,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “From the ingenuity of the DelCo recycled foamed-glass aggregate that was used to reopen I-95 in 12 days to using paperless technologies to deliver on projects ahead of schedule, our team of dedicated public servants work every day to apply the ingenuity necessary to improve safety, save taxpayer dollars and support Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges.”
Innovation at PennDOT comes from every level. Employee-driven innovation councils and committees, the State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC), the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Every Day Counts (EDC) Program and everyday solutions identified and implemented by PennDOT employees, all work together to build better, more efficient and more intuitive systems to serve all Pennsylvanians and those who travel throughout the commonwealth.
Highlighted innovations include:
A recycled foamed-glass aggregate that was used to open a temporary roadway 12 days after the bridge collapse on I-95 last June.
PennDOT’s Mentor-Protégé Program aimed at increasing diversity and participation to provide disadvantaged businesses with a pathway to succeed in the transportation industry.
Using paperless technologies to transform PennDOT’s project delivery process by improving accessibility of project data.
Innovative winter maintenance tools that PennDOT is piloting to help make roadways safer for equipment operators and motorists alike.
A Moveable Median Barrier System used to mitigate traffic impacts and reduce overall construction time.
The publication also features recent progress and successes of the STIC and FHWAEDC innovations that Pennsylvania is pursuing.
Targeted Overlay Pavement Solutions (TOPS), an EDC Round 6 (EDC-6) innovation that Pennsylvania continues to pursue, are more durable and cost-effective than traditional overlay methods and extend the lifespan of a roadway. Use of these pavement solutions reduces the need for long-term lane closures and continuous roadway construction projects.
A STIC innovation, cold central plant recycling (CCPR) of asphalt flexible pavements will help minimize the transportation industry’s carbon footprint and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. The process puts 100% reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) into the asphalt mix, and no heat is added through the mixing process. The resulting flexible asphalt base has nearly the same structural capacity as a hot mix asphalt base while reducing carbon emissions.
