Inmate Custody Classification Study Brings Changes, Data Download, Iowa Department of Corrections, July 2008

As part of its 2006 systemic evaluation of DOC’s facilities, operations and programming, the Durrant/PBA consulting group found several shortcomings with the Department’s inmate custody classification system. Specifically, the consultants found that the system:

A Review of the Frictional Classification of Iowa Aggregates, MLR-81-04, 1981

The Iowa D.O.T. has a classification system designed to rate coarse aggregates as to their skid resistant characteristics. Aggregates have been classified into five functional types, with a Type 1 being the most skid resistant. A complete description of the classification system can be found in the Office of Materials Instructional Memorandum T-203. Due to the variability of ledges within any given quarry the classification of individual ledges becomes necessary. The type of aggregate is then specified for each asphaltic concrete surface course. As various aggregates become used in a.c. paving, there is a continuing process of evaluating the frictional properties of the pavement surface. It is primarily through an effort of this sort that information on aggregate sources and individual ledges becomes more refined. This study is being conducted to provide that needed up-to-date information that can be used to monitor the aggregate classification system.

Iowa Department of Corrections Presentation to Transportation, Infrastructure, Capitals Appropriations Subcommittee, February 2008

An update of the following: Status of capital projects from prior year appropriations, appropriation from RIIF, and other other projects, current prison population, expected growth and over population, overview of revised classification system and how it affects bed planning, timeline for construction, 2009 funding, plan for the governor recommended $500,000 for project management and other infrastructure priorities.

Automated Traffic/Truck Weight Monitoring Equipment (Weigh-in-Motion), HR-282, 1988

This report documents work undertaken in the demonstration of a low-cost Automatic Weight and Classification System (AWACS). An AWACS procurement specification and details of the results of the project are also included. The intent of the project is to support and encourage transferring research knowledge to state and local agencies and manufacturers through field demonstrations. Presently available, Weigh-in-Motion and Classification Systems are typically too expensive to permit the wide deployment necessary to obtain representative vehicle data. Piezo electric technology has been used in the United Kingdom and Europe and is believed to be the basic element in a low-cost AWACS. Low-cost systems have been installed at two sites, one in Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) pavement in Iowa and the other in Asphaltic Cement Concrete (ACC) pavement in Minnesota to provide experience with both types of pavement. The systems provide axle weights, gross vehicle weight, axle spacing, vehicle classification, vehicle speed, vehicle count, and time of arrival. In addition, system self-calibration and a method to predict contact tire pressure is included in the system design. The study has shown that in the PCC pavement, the AWACS is capable of meeting the needs of state and federal highway agencies, producing accuracies comparable to many current commercial WIM devices. This is being achieved at a procurement cost of substantially less than currently available equipment. In the ACC pavement the accuracies were less than those observed in the PCC pavement which is concluded to result from a low pavement rigidity at this site. Further work is needed to assess the AWACS performance at a range of sites in ACC pavements.

Embankment Quality: Phase III, TR-401, 2002

This report describes test results from a full-scale embankment pilot study conducted in Iowa. The intent of the pilot project was to field test and refine the proposed soil classification system and construction specifications developed in Phase II of this research and to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a contractor quality control (QC) and Iowa DOT quality assurance (QA) program for earthwork grading in the future. One of the primary questions for Phase III is “Was embankment quality improved?” The project involved a “quality conscious” contractor, well-qualified and experienced Iowa Department of Transportation field personnel, a good QC consultant technician, and some of our best soils in the state. If the answer to the above question is “yes” for this project, it would unquestionably be “yes” for other projects as well. The answer is yes, the quality was improved, even for this project, as evidenced by dynamic cone penetrometer test data and the amount of disking required to reduce the moisture content to within acceptable control limits (approximately 29% of soils by volume required disking). Perhaps as important is that we know what quality we have. Increased QC/QA field testing, however, increases construction costs, as expected. The quality management-earthwork program resulted in an additional $0.03 per cubic meter, or 1.6%, of the total construction costs. Disking added about $0.04 per cubic meter, or 1.7%, to the total project costs. In our opinion this is a nominal cost increase to improve quality. It is envisioned that future contractor innovations have the potential for negating this increase. The Phase III results show that the new soil classification system and the proposed field test methods worked well during the Iowa Department of Transportation soils design phase and during the construction phase. Recommendations are provided for future implementation of the results of this study by city, county, and state agencies.

Iowa System Classification for Planning Map, January 1, 2011

Map produced by Iowa Department of Transportation of System Classification.

State of Iowa Systematic Study for the State Correctional System, The Durrant Group, Inc.

Operations lead evaluation to determine future opportunities for best practices in Treatment, Operations, Classification, and Programs; ultimately leading evaluations toward the appropriate utilization and application of new and existing infrastructure.