Using the Air Void Anal Analyzer for Real-Time Quality Control Adjustments in the Field, November 2004

The air void analyzer (AVA) with its independent isolation base can be used to accurately evaluate the air void system—including volume of entrained air, size of air voids, and distribution of air voids—of fresh portland cement concrete (PCC) on the jobsite. With this information, quality control adjustments in concrete batching can be made in real time to improve the air void system and thus increase freeze-thaw durability. This technology offers many advantages over current practices for evaluating air in concrete.

Managing Iowa's Water Quality Information

A report by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on how to manage water quality information.

Accessing Iowa's Water Quality Information, 2003

Water fact sheet for Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Geological Bureau.

NRS State Data Quality Standards Checklist, 2002

The NRS state data quality standards identify the policies, processes and materials that states and local programs should have in place to collect valid and reliable data for the National Reporting System (NRS). The Division of Adult Education (DAEL) within the Office of Vocational and Adult Education developed the standards to define the characteristics of high quality state and local data collection systems for the NRS. The standards provide an organized way for DAEL to understand the quality of NRS data collection within the states and also provide guidance to states on how to improve their systems. States are to complete this checklist, which incorporates the standards, with their annual NRS data submission to rate their level of implementation of the standards. The accompanying policy document describes DAEL’s requirements for state conformance to the standards and explains the use of the information from this checklist.

Supplemental Information to the August 2008 Cultural Heritage and Records Retention Task Force Report, August 2008

The Rebuild Iowa Cultural Heritage and Records Retention Task Force respectfully submits its report to the Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission (RIAC) for its consideration of the impacts of the tornadoes, storms, and flooding on Iowans and their cultural, historical, and arts institutions and organizations and records collections and archives. As the RIAC fulfills its obligations to guide the recovery and reconstruction of Iowa, the cknowledgement that culture and records as Iowa’s identity is important, and that if these items of cultural heritage vanish from Iowa’s landscape, the items that Iowans associate with their history, traditions, and sense of place also disappears. Iowa is certainly not the only state that has experienced this type of disaster; however, many states have not recognized culture and records as critical concerns as part of the recovery and rebuilding process. When rebuilding Iowa stronger, smarter, and safer, quality of life is an important consideration for attracting new residents, making it a necessity to keep culture alive and thriving in Iowa. Additionally, the cultural arts constitute a vital economic industry, providing employment to thousands of Iowa’s citizens and generating millions of dollars in local and government revenue across the state. In the case of records, these items are irreplaceable and provide important information for the daily workings of government and life in our state, and maintain vital records of Iowa’s heritage and traditions. This report provides background information on the damages incurred in Iowa from the disasters and additional context for policy and rebuilding discussions. It also offers recommendations to the RIAC for steps that might be taken to address the significant and important challenges faced by Iowa’s cultural, historical, and arts institutions and organizations; individual artists and other cultural workers; and records retention entities and officials. Supplement to main report.

Roadway Lighting and Safety: Phase II – Monitoring Quality, Durability and Efficiency, November 2011

This Phase II project follows a previous project titled Strategies to Address Nighttime Crashes at Rural, Unsignalized Intersections. Based on the results of the previous study, the Iowa Highway Research Board (IHRB) indicated interest in pursuing further research to address the quality of lighting, rather than just the presence of light, with respect to safety. The research team supplemented the literature review from the previous study, specifically addressing lighting level in terms of measurement, the relationship between light levels and safety, and lamp durability and efficiency. The Center for Transportation Research and Education (CTRE) teamed with a national research leader in roadway lighting, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) to collect the data. An integral instrument to the data collection efforts was the creation of the Roadway Monitoring System (RMS). The RMS allowed the research team to collect lighting data and approach information for each rural intersection identified in the previous phase. After data cleanup, the final data set contained illuminance data for 101 lighted intersections (of 137 lighted intersections in the first study). Data analysis included a robust statistical analysis based on Bayesian techniques. Average illuminance, average glare, and average uniformity ratio values were used to classify quality of lighting at the intersections.

Roadway Lighting and Safety: Phase II – Monitoring Quality, Durability and Efficiency, November 2011

This Phase II project follows a previous project titled Strategies to Address Nighttime Crashes at Rural, Unsignalized Intersections. Based on the results of the previous study, the Iowa Highway Research Board (IHRB) indicated interest in pursuing further research to address the quality of lighting, rather than just the presence of light, with respect to safety. The research team supplemented the literature review from the previous study, specifically addressing lighting level in terms of measurement, the relationship between light levels and safety, and lamp durability and efficiency. The Center for Transportation Research and Education (CTRE) teamed with a national research leader in roadway lighting, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) to collect the data. An integral instrument to the data collection efforts was the creation of the Roadway Monitoring System (RMS). The RMS allowed the research team to collect lighting data and approach information for each rural intersection identified in the previous phase. After data cleanup, the final data set contained illuminance data for 101 lighted intersections (of 137 lighted intersections in the first study). Data analysis included a robust statistical analysis based on Bayesian techniques. Average illuminance, average glare, and average uniformity ratio values were used to classify quality of lighting at the intersections.

Evaluation of Photoacoustic Spectroscopy for Quality Control of Cement, TR-409, 1998

This report discusses the feasibility of using infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) as a viable technique that can quickly provide information on cement composition prior to use. The PAS technique is of interest because the cost is much lower than for other types of instrumentation used for mineral analysis, it requires virtually no sample preparation, and it can perform multi-component analysis in a matter of minutes. Feasibility of the technique was based on the ability of PAS to identify and quantify sulfate species and major cement matrix components. Strengths and limitations of the technique are presented.

Embankment Quality Phase IV: Application to Unsuitable Soils, TR-492, 2007

The Quality Management Earthwork (QM-E) special provision was implemented on a pilot project to evaluate quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) testing in predominately unsuitable soils. Control limits implemented on this pilot project included the following: 95% relative compaction, moisture content not exceeding +/- 2% of optimum moisture content, soil strength not exceeding a dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) index of 70 mm/blow, vertical uniformity not exceeding a variation in DCP index of 40 mm/blow, and lift thickness not exceeding depth determined through construction of control strips. Four-point moving averages were used to allow for some variability in the measured parameter values. Management of the QC/QA data proved to be one of the most challenging aspects of the pilot project. Implementing use of the G-RAD data collection system has considerable potential to reduce the time required to develop and maintain QC/QA records for projects using the QM-E special provision. In many cases, results of a single Proctor test were used to establish control limits that were used for several months without retesting. While the data collected for the pilot project indicated that the DCP index control limits could be set more tightly, there is not enough evidence to support making a change. In situ borings, sampling, and testing in natural unsuitable cut material and compacted fill material revealed that the compacted fill had similar strength characteristics to that of the natural cut material after less than three months from the start of construction.

General Aggregate Source Information, 1979

Only those aggregate sources which have been sampled or tested within the last ten years are listed. This listing additionally ranks sources in accordance with a skid resistance classification as defined herein for aggregates used in asphalt construction. The rankings are based on the ledges used in the past for asphalt aggregates. Upon request, new sources or different combinations of beds within an existing source will be evaluated as to their skid resistance classification. This ranking refers only to the skid resistant properties and does not waive the normal quality requirements for the particular type of aggregate indicated in the contract documents.

Project Development Information Packet for Federal-Aid City and County Projects, 1997

In August, 1994, the Office of Local Systems, Project Development Division, Iowa Department of Transportation established a Quality Improvement Team to review and improve upon the federal-aid project development process. The mission was to communicate federal-aid project development procedures to local agencies, beginning with the approval of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and ending with obligation of federal funds by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). In January 1997, another Team (Make it Better) began meeting to clarify, update, and streamline the federal-aid project process. This Project Development Packet is a compilation of these efforts. The packet includes Project Development timelines, flow charts, guidelines, design criteria, Instructional Memorandums and forms to assist in the federal-aid project development process. The main (fold out) flow chart directs to other sections of the packet when appropriate.