New Project Investigates Alkali-Silica Reactivity in Montana Concrete Structures
Concrete can be susceptible to expansive reactions between alkalis in the Portland cement and reactive forms of silica in the aggregates, which can ultimately reduce the lifespan of the concrete used in pavements and other structures. When this occurs, it can result in costly repairs or even replacement of infrastructure. While alkali-silica reactivity (ASR) has […]
New Project: Testing Ultra-High Performance Concrete in the Field
Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) has mechanical and durability properties that far exceed those of conventional concrete. However, using UHPC in conventional concrete applications has been cost prohibitive, with commercially available/proprietary mixes costing approximately 30 times more than conventional concrete. Previous WTI research resulted in nonproprietary UHPC mixes made with materials readily available in Montana. These […]
New Project: Evaluating the Performance of Geosynthetic Materials for Montana DOT
Geosynthetic materials are routinely used in transportation applications to facilitate construction, improve stability, and enhance longevity. Departments of transportation have generally had good experience with these products, although a robust and non-proprietary design process for geosynthetic reinforced paved roads is still lacking. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) believes that geosynthetics can be used responsibly […]
New Project: Developing a Severe Weather Index for Maryland DOT
A challenge that many state DOTs face is the accurate assessment of winter maintenance operations. One tool that has been successfully used by DOTs is the severe weather index (SWI), which can assess the performance and related costs associated with winter maintenance operations. It considers the relative severity of each weather event, and relative severity […]
NEW PROJECTS: WTI to Conduct Mobility Studies in 3 Rural Communities
WTI will provide technical assistance to three rural communities and regions to identify and evaluate expanding transportation options, thanks to a new partnership with the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)’s Research Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA sponsors technical assistance grants to rural communities and regions for transportation development, and NADO’s […]
USDOT Selects SURTCOM as new University Transportation Center
After a highly competitive selection process, the U.S. Department of Transportion has announced that WTI has been selected as a Tier 1 University Transportation Center. The Small Urban, Rural and Tribal Center on Mobility (SURTCOM) will receive approximately $1.5 million a year for up to five years to lead research that improves the mobility of […]
WTI Work Posted on Planet Jackson Hole
Planet Jackson Hole (planetjh.com) has posted a feature article about the wildlife crossing plan that WTI will develop for Teton County, Wyoming. In the article, Jon Mobeck, executive director of the Wildlife Foundation, highlights WTI’s previous work in the area and states that “WTI offers the perfect partnership for Jackson Hole.” The full article is […]
WTI Selected to Complete a Wildlife Crossing Master Plan for Teton County Roads and Highways.
The Jackson Hole News and Guide reports that Teton County Board of Commissioners has selected WTI to complete a wildlife crossing master plan for Teton County’s roads and highways. “County moves on wildlife crossing plan” notes that WTI’s extensive working knowledge of the area and road network led to the selection. For the full story, […]
Research project for Blandings turtle protection launched.
WTI Research Ecologist Marcel Huijser is in Nebraska this week at the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge. Marcel (far right in photo) is working with Refuge staff and the Nebraska Department of Roads to launch a project to protect the Blanding’s Turtle. The turtle is threatened by habitat fragmentation and highway mortality, and is listed as […]
WTI evaluates wildlife detection system in Idaho
The Idaho Transportation Department announced that it has started a project in partnership with WTI to test a wildlife detection system on U.S. 95 in northern Idaho. The system uses a Doppler radar sensor to detect large animals on both sides of the road. It activates flashing warning beacons to alert drivers if animals are […]