Systematic Identification of High Crash Locations Final Report, 2001

Federal and state policy makers increasingly emphasize the need to reduce highway crash rates. This emphasis is demonstrated in Iowa’s recently released draft Iowa Strategic Highway Safety Plan and by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s placement of “improved transportation safety” at the top of its list of strategic goals. Thus, finding improved methods to enhance highway safety has become a top priority at highway agencies. The objective of this project is to develop tools and procedures by which Iowa engineers can identify potentially hazardous roadway locations and designs, and to demonstrate the utility of these tools by developing candidate lists of high crash locations in the State. An initial task, building an integrated database to facilitate the tools and procedures, is an important product, in and of itself. Accordingly, the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) Geographic Information Management System (GIMS) and Geographic Information System Accident Analysis and Location System (GIS-ALAS) databases were integrated with available digital imagery. (The GIMS database contains roadway characteristics, e.g., lane width, surface and shoulder type, and traffic volume, for all public roadways. GIS-ALAS records include data, e.g., vehicles, drivers, roadway conditions, and the crash severity, for crashes occurring on public roadways during then past 10 years.)

Identification of the Best Practices for Design, Construction, and Repair of Bridge Approches, 2005

Bridge approach settlement and the formation of the bump is a common problem in Iowa that draws upon considerable resources for maintenance and creates a negative perception in the minds of transportation users. This research study was undertaken to investigate bridge approach problems and develop new concepts for design, construction, and maintenance that will reduce this costly problem. As a result of the research described in this report, the following changes are suggested for implementation on a pilot test basis: • Use porous backfill behind the abutment and/or geocomposite drainage systems to improve drainage capacity and reduce erosion around the abutment. • On a pilot basis, connect the approach slab to the bridge abutment. Change the expansion joint at the bridge to a construction joint of 2 inch. Use a more effective joint sealing system at the CF joint. Change the abutment wall rebar from #5 to #7 for non-integral abutments. • For bridges with soft foundation or embankment soils, implement practices of better compaction, preloading, ground improvement, soil removal and replacement, or soil reinforcement that reduce time-dependent post construction settlements.

Radio Frequency Identification Tagging as a Mechanism of Creating a Viable Producer’s Brand in the Cattle Industry, May 2005

This manuscript reports on a project to examine the feasibility of extensive radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging to determine product provenance in the meat production industry. The investigators examined existing technologies and meat production processes as well as emerging technologies in RFID tagging to assess the potential of RFID technologies for provenance assurance. While RFID technologies hold tremendous promise for traceability, the current state of the technology and production process creates challenges for effectively creating full traceability. However, RFID holds tremendous potential for improving processing throughput, which will help make RFIDbased traceability more attractive for adoption by meat processors.

Identification of the Best Practices for Design, Construction, and Repair of Bridge Approaches, January 2005

Bridge approach settlement and the formation of the bump is a common problem in Iowa that draws upon considerable resources for maintenance and creates a negative perception in the minds of transportation users. This research study was undertaken to investigate bridge approach problems and develop new concepts for design, construction, and maintenance that will reduce this costly problem. As a result of the research described in this report, the following changes are suggested for implementation on a pilot test basis: • Use porous backfill behind the abutment and/or geocomposite drainage systems to improve drainage capacity and reduce erosion around the abutment. • On a pilot basis, connect the approach slab to the bridge abutment. Change the expansion joint at the bridge to a construction joint of 2 inch. Use a more effective joint sealing system at the CF joint. Change the abutment wall rebar from #5 to #7 for non-integral abutments. • For bridges with soft foundation or embankment soils, implement practices of better compaction, preloading, ground improvement, soil removal and replacement, or soil reinforcement that reduce time-dependent post construction settlements.

Consumer Advisory Bulletin, Medicare Rx Drug Discount Cards: Check 'em out -- but Beware of Scams, May 2004

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division receives hundreds of calls and consumer complaints every year. Follow these tips to avoid unexpected expense and disappointments. This record is about: Medicare Rx Drug Discount Cards: Check 'em out -- but Beware of Scams

Consumer Advisory Bulletin, Credit Cards on Student Incomes: Proceed With Caution – and Shop With Care, Fall 2007

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division receives hundreds of calls and consumer complaints every year. Follow these tips to avoid unexpected expense and disappointments. This record is about: Credit Cards on Student Incomes: Proceed With Caution – and Shop With Care.

Consumer Advisory Bulletin, Health "Discount Cards" -- A Prescription for Wasting Money? ,January 2008

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division receives hundreds of calls and consumer complaints every year. Follow these tips to avoid unexpected expense and disappointments. This record is about: Health "Discount Cards" -- A Prescription for Wasting Money?

Electronic Payments for Driver's Licensing Transactions,December 31, 2008

House File 2196 required the Department of Transportation (DOT) to study the acceptance of electronic payments at its customer service sites and sites operated by county treasurers. Specifically the legislation requires the following: “The department of transportation shall review the current methods the department employs for the collection of fees and other revenues at sites operated by county treasurers under chapter 321M and at customer service sites operated by the department. In conducting its review, the department, in cooperation with the treasurer of state, shall consider providing an electronic payment option for all of its customers. The department shall report its findings and recommendations by December 31, 2008, to the senate and house standing committees on transportation regarding the advantages and disadvantages of implementing one or more electronic payment systems.” This review focused on estimating the costs of providing an electronic payment option for customers of the DOT driver’s license stations and those of the 81 county treasurers. Customers at these sites engage in three primary financial transactions for which acceptance of electronic payments was studied: paying for a driver’s license (DL), paying for a non-operator identification card (ID), and paying certain civil penalties. Both consumer credit cards and PIN-based debit cards were reviewed as electronic payment options. It was assumed that most transactions would be made using a consumer credit card. Credit card companies charge a fee for each transaction for which they are used. The amount of these fees varies among credit card companies. The estimates for credit card fees used in this study were based on the State Treasurer of Iowa’s current credit card contract, which is due to expire in September 2009. Since credit card companies adjust their fees each year, estimates were based on the 2008 fee schedule. There is also a fee for the use of PIN-based debit cards. The estimates for PIN-based debit card transactions were based on information provided by Wells Fargo Merchant Services for current fees charged by debit card networks. Credit and debit card transactions would be processed through vendor-provided hardware and software. The costs would be determined through the competitive bidding process since several vendors provide this function; therefore, these costs are not reflected in this document.

Iowa Problem Identification, February 2010

Each year, traffic crashes in the United States result in nearly 300,000 deaths and serious injuries. In 2008 alone, traffic crashes cost the nation an estimated $230 billion, nine times more than the estimated cost of all crime. Highway crashes represent the leading cause of death and disabling injury for persons under age 35. In recognition of this problem, the Congress of the United States enacted national highway safety legislation in 1966, which led to the establishment of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The legislation also provided for federal highway safety monies to be made available to the states with a goal of reducing death and injury on the nation’s roads. Iowa has been very active in the federal-state local highway safety partnership since the mid 1960s.

Consumer Advisory Bulletin, Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards: They May Look the Same, But They’re Different!, March 2011

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division receives hundreds of calls and consumer complaints every year. Follow these tips to avoid unexpected expense and disappointments. This record is about: Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards: They May Look the Same, But They’re Different!

Consumer Advisory Bulletin, Credit Cards vs. Nailing Down Home Repair Rip-Offs & Disputes, April 2011

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division receives hundreds of calls and consumer complaints every year. Follow these tips to avoid unexpected expense and disappointments. This record is about: Nailing Down Home Repair Rip-Offs & Disputes

Consumer Advisory Bulletin, Paper or Plastic? Gift Certificates & Gift Cards, February 2013

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division receives hundreds of calls and consumer complaints every year. Follow these tips to avoid unexpected expense and disappointments. This record is about: Paper or Plastic? Gift Certificates & Gift Cards

Identification of Conifer Trees in Iowa, September 22, 1998

This publication is designed to help identify the most common trees found in Iowa. It is based on vegetative characteristics including leaves, fruit, and bark. It is neither complete nor without possible oversights. Separate species are grouped by similar characteristics, mainly based on type and arrangement of leaves. These groups are; awl- or scale like needles; single needles, flattened with rounded tips; single needles, square in cross section, with pointed tips; and needles in bundles or fascicles of two or more. Remember, vegetative characteristics are quite variable; use more than one specimen for comparison.

Identification of Hardwood Trees in Iowa, September 1998

This publication is designed to help identify the most common hardwood or deciduous trees found in Iowa. It is based on vegetative characteristics including leaves, fruit, and bark. It is neither complete nor without possible oversights. Separate species are grouped by similar characteristics, mainly based on type and arrangement of leaves. Remember, vegetative characteristics are quite variable; use more than one specimen for comparison.

Wood Identification, November 2002

This document produced bu Iowa State University and Iowa Department of Natural Resources shows the key identification of Common Woods in Iowa.