Audit report on the Great River Regional Waste Authority for the year ended June 30, 2014

Audit report on the Great River Regional Waste Authority for the year ended June 30, 2014

Audit report on the Northeast Iowa Schools Insurance Trust for the year ended June 30, 2014

Audit report on the Northeast Iowa Schools Insurance Trust for the year ended June 30, 2014

Review of State Comprehensive Computerized Highway Information System, HR-1053, 1987

This report presents an overview of where the computerized highway information system is now, and its status as a planning and programming tool for state highway agencies. A computerized highway information system is simply a computer linked system which can be used by many divisions of a transportation agency to obtain information to meet data reporting, analyses or other informational needs. The description of the highway information system includes: current use and status, applications, organization and system development, benefits and problems.

Demonstration and Field Evaluation of Alternative Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Reinforcement Materials, HR-1069, 2003

Transverse joints are placed in portland cement concrete pavements to control the development of random cracking due to stresses induced by moisture and thermal gradients and restrained slab movement. These joints are strengthened through the use of load transfer devices, typically dowel bars, designed to transfer load across the joint from one pavement slab to the next. Epoxy coated steel bars are the materials of choice at the present time, but have experienced some difficulties with resistance to corrosion from deicing salts. The research project investigated the use of alternative materials, dowel size and spacing to determine the benefits and limitations of each material. In this project two types of fiber composite materials, stainless steel solid dowels and epoxy coated dowels were tested for five years in side by side installation in a portion of U.S. 65 near Des Moines, Iowa, between 1997 and 2002. The work was directed at analyzing the load transfer characteristics of 8-in. vs. 12-in. spacing of the dowels and the alternative dowel materials, fiber composite (1.5- and 1.88-in. diameter) and stainless steel (1.5-in. diameter), compared to typical 1.5-in. diameter epoxy-coated steel dowels placed on 12-in. spacing. Data were collected biannually within each series of joints and variables in terms of load transfer in each lane (outer wheel path), visual distress, joint openings, and faulting in each wheel path. After five years of performance the following observations were made from the data collected. Each of the dowel materials is performing equally in terms of load transfer, joint movement and faulting. Stainless steel dowels are providing load transfer performance equal to or greater than epoxy-coated steel dowels at the end of five years. Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) dowels of the sizes and materials tested should be spaced no greater than 8 in. apart to achieve comparable performance to epoxy coated dowels. No evidence of deterioration due to road salts was identified on any of the products tested. The relatively high cost of stainless steel solid and FRP dowels was a limitation at the time of this study conclusion. Work is continuing with the subject materials in laboratory studies to determine the proper shape, spacing, chemical composition and testing specification to make the FRP and stainless (clad or solid) dowels a viable alternative joint load transfer material for long lasting portland cement concrete pavements.

Evaluation of Stainless Steel Culvert Pipe in Mahaska County, Iowa, HR-2001

Corrosion of culvert pipe in Iowa in general is not a serious problem. However, it is potentially significant in some local areas. An opportunity to make a limited durability study of stainless steel pipe was presented when a local fabricating company expressed interest in a cooperative field experiment. The potential of stainless steel pipe is to reduce maintenance costs that are incurred through replacement and upkeep. A new stainless steel material, Allegheny Metal MF-1, was used in a partial fabrication demonstration and later these demonstration sections were delivered to the selected field site for placement.

Preliminary Report on the Installation of Stainless Steel Culvert Pipe in Mahaska County, Iowa, HR-2001, 1967

At the request of Mr. Arnold E. Levine, of the Levine Company, Centerville, Iowa, the Iowa State Highway Commission was asked to observe the partial fabrication of two stainless steel culvert pipes and later the Commission was asked if they would like to study their durability. These pipes were fabricated April 12, 1967 in Des Moines, Personnel of the Design and Materials Department were at the fabrication, but no Research people were present. The idea for the installation was conceived and a site selected after which the project was turned over to the Research Engineer. The stainless steel pipes presumably contained the new Allegheny Metal, MF-1, whose composition is shown in Appendix A. The primary aim of the stainless steel pipe is to reduce long term costs that are incurred through replacement and upkeep. The MF-1 has a theoretical life of infinity.

Evaluation of DuroTrim Vegetation Control Mats, HR-2090, 2002

The routine maintenance along Iowa's highways and roadways during the summer growing season is a time consuming and costly endeavor. Trimming around guardrail posts and delineator posts is especially costly due to the handwork required. Trimming costs account for approximately 50% of the shoulder mowing costs according to expense figures obtained from the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of Maintenance. The FY 2001 statewide trimming costs for the Iowa DOT was approximately $430,000 ($305,000 labor, $125,000 equipment and materials). This product would be required to perform well for 9-21 years, on average, in order to recoup the cost of installation. This includes the durability of the product, but not the cost of repair due to traffic damage, snowplow and wing damage, or damage caused by mowing operations. Maintenance costs associated with vegetation creep over the mats and repair costs would extend the required service life. As a result of resource realignment, the Iowa DOT roadside maintenance policy, for FY 2003 and the future, will be to eliminate trimming around delineator posts unless the reflector is obstructed. This policy change will effectively eliminate the need for weed control mats due to the significant reduction in trimming. The use of the weed control mats could be justified in areas that are dangerous to maintenance workers such as guardrail installations in high traffic areas. Because the delineator posts are further from the edge of the traveled roadway, there is a reduced risk to the maintenance workforce while hand trimming. Because the DuroTrim Vegetation Control Mats appear to have performed adequately in the field trial, they could be considered for use, where safety conditions warrant. That use should be limited, however, due to the considerable initial cost and changes in Iowa DOT roadside maintenance policy. Application should be limited to instances where the use of the DuroTrim Vegetation Control Mats would have a significant impact on the safety of the roadside maintenance workers. The cost savings, due to the elimination of the trimming and mowing alone, is not enough to justify their use in most situations at their current cost. The test sections will continue to be monitored periodically so that approximate service life can be determined.

Development of Concepts for Pavement Management, MLR-79-04, 1979

Sufficient evidence was not discovered in this brief search to alter the general opinion that the Serviceability (Present Serviceability Index-PSI) - Performance Concepts developed by the AASHO Road Test provides the optimum engineering basis for pavement management. Use of these concepts in Iowa has the additional advantage in that we have a reasonable quantity of historical data over a period of time on the change in pavement condition as measured by PSI's. Some additional benefits would be the ability to better assess our needs with respect to those being recommended to Congress by AASHTO Committees. These concepts have been the basis used for developing policies on dimensions and weight of vehicles and highway needs which the AASHTO Transport Committees have recommended to the United States House Committee on Ways and Means. The first recommendation based on these concepts was made in the mid 1960's. Iowa's participation in the evaluation for this recommendation was under the direction of our present Director of Transportation, Mr. Raymond Kassel. PSI Indexes had to be derived from subjective surface ratings at that time. The most recent recommendation to Congress was made in November of 1977. Based on the rationale expressed above, a pilot study of the major part of the rural interstate system was conducted. The Objective of the study was to measure pavement performance through the use of the Present Serviceability Index (PSI) - Pavement Performance concepts as developed by the AASHO Road Test and to explore the usefulness of this type of data as a pavement management tool. Projects in the vicinity of the major urban centers were not included in this study due to the extra time that would be required to isolate accurate traffic data in these areas. Projects consisting of asphalt surface courses on crushed stone base sections were not included.

A Study of Fine Sand from Nine Mile Island at Dubuque, MLR-88-08, 1988

The specifications for concrete sand in Iowa have been used for many years with very good results. In several locations of the state, it is becoming more difficult to produce concrete sand consistently at a reasonable cost. Both ASTM and AASHTO have specifications for concrete sands that allow a finer, poorer graded sand than the Iowa specification. The ASTM and AASHTO specifications are based on the use of trial mix testing prior to construction. Iowa does not currently use the trial mix procedure.

Investigation of Video Crack and Patch Surveying for Pavement Management, MLR-92-01, 1992

The Iowa DOT has been using the AASHTO Present Serviceability Index (PSI) rating procedure since 1968 to rate the condition of pavement sections. A ride factor and a cracking and patching factor make up the PSI value. Crack and patch surveys have been done by sending crews out to measure and record the distress. Advances in video equipment and computers make it practical to videotape roads and do the crack and patch measurements in the office. The objective of the study was to determine the feasibility of converting the crack and patch survey operation to a video recording system with manual post processing. The summary and conclusions are as follows: Video crack and patch surveying is a feasible alternative to the current crack and patch procedure. The cost per mile should be about 25 percent less than the current procedure. More importantly, the risk of accidents is reduced by getting the people and vehicles off the roadway and shoulder. Another benefit is the elimination of the negative public perceptions of the survey crew on the shoulder.

Tasas de reincidencia 2011 de justicia juvenil: actualización de la tasa de reincidencia de los jóvenes sometidos a medidas de libertad vigilada e internamiento en centro

El estudio actualiza por quinto año las tasas de reincidencia juvenil en las medidas de libertad vigilada e internamiento en Catalunya. En este caso se ha estudiado a la población que finalizó una medida el año 2008 y se les ha seguido hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2011. Los resultados nos dicen que la tasa de reincidencia de libertad vigilada es del 28,7% y la tasa de internamiento es del 57,8%.

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.

Aggregates for Thin Maintenance Surfaces, TR-435, 2003

Important qualities of aggregates used for thin maintenance surface (TMS) include an aggregates wear and skid resistance, shape, gradation, and size. The wear and skid resistance of an aggregate influences the lifetime of the individual aggregate particles, and thus the lifetime of the TMS. A TMS’s effectiveness is impacted by the shape, gradation, and size of the aggregate used for the surfacing material along with the lifetime of the aggregate.

Asphalt Binders for Thin Maintenance Surfaces, TR-435, 2003

Asphalt is used as a binder for thin maintenance surface (TMS) applications because of two key properties, it is waterproof and it adheres relatively well to the aggregate. Since asphalt is too stiff at room temperature to apply to the road surface, it is usually applied as either a cutback asphalt or an asphalt emulsion. The asphalt emulsions can be further divided into high float emulsions, cationic emulsions or polymer-modified binders, which are emulsions with polymers added to them. These types of binders are discussed further below.

Total Cost of Transportation Analysis of Road and Highway Issues, TR-477, Phase 2, 2003

A prior project, HR-388, (which was entitled "Total Cost of Transportation analysis of road and highway issues"), explored the use of a total economic cost basis for evaluation of road based transportation issues. It was conducted as a proof-of-concept effort between 1996 and 2002, with the final report presented in May 2002. TR-477 rebuilt the analytical model using current data, then performed general, system level, county level, and road segment level analyses. The results are presented herein and will be distributed to all county engineers for information and local use.