Morning Workshops

• Rural Road Design Using the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer: A Paradigm Shift

  Presenters: Mike Pinard, Gerrie van Zyl and Jon Hongve

  Want to design rural roads that are fit-for-purpose and environmentally optimized, whilst maximizing the use of local resources? If so, this will require a paradigm shift in the way in which such roads are traditionally designed. This workshop will present an innovative, research-based approach to the design of rural roads based solely on the use of the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP). This approach provides a robust, replicable and reliable design method which utilizes the cone penetration rate (DN value) directly as a design parameter rather than the less replicable and more costly to determine CBR value. The workshop will cover the DCP design research background, the general approach to design, and a demonstration of the DCP design software. Attendees will be provided with a new tool that facilitates the cost-effective design of rural roads which will ensure that communities are provided with sustainable, all-season access to essential services, markets and economic opportunities.

• Bridge Technology for Low Volume Roads

  Presenters: Justin Dahlberg (Iowa State University)

  Low volume road bridges are increasingly in need of replacement as they age and a history of deferred or under-performed maintenance is revealed. Current funding for new bridge projects does not meet the level for replacing all bridges in need. Accordingly, low volume bridge owners and engineers around the world are tasked with finding suitable economic solutions. Some new-to-bridge technologies have been introduced to help reduce initial and life-cycle costs and are applicable to a wide range of scenarios. Participants will be presented with a couple of these technologies implemented during bridge design and construction. Breakout groups will work through possible solutions to real bridge projects and encouraged to consider some of the new-to-bridge technologies as possible solutions. Time will be spent in Q&A and discussing many of these technologies  with engineers who have considered or used these technologies.

• Remote Sensing Tools from Drones to Satellite Imagery in Low Volume Road Mangement

  Presenters: Colin Brooks and Rick Dobson (Michigan Tech University), Halil Ceylan (Iowa State university)

  Remote sensing platforms, including drones (uncrewed aerial vehicles/UAVs), manned aircraft, and satellites have been advanced in recent years as practical sources of data for identification of road features including condition and type of road surface. Participants will be introduced to the types of data sources and platforms that have come available, including automated unpaved road condition assessment, and using available imagery to improve road inventories with surface type identification. Drone applications will be demonstrated during a field portion of the workshop. This Workshop has limited capacity so attendees will need to secure a no-cost ticket during registration

Afternoon Workshops

• Iowa's Use of Validated Intelligent Compaction Technology to Improve Pavement Foundation Layers
  and Unpaved Granular Roads

  Presenters: David White (Ignios, Inc.), Melissa Serio (Iowa DOT) and Brian Moore (Iowa County Engineers Association)

  From the workshop, attendees will learn how Iowa is improving pavement performance through modulus verification using roller mapping of pavement foundation layers.  Iowa is transitioning to a real time, 100% coverage area, pavement foundation modulus verification and construction quality monitoring as a way to build better foundations to obtain a 100-year pavement life.  Attendees will also learn how the same VIC technology is being used to improve gravel roads in Iowa and the applicability to gravel roads around the world.  Roller mapping gathers a geo-spatial record of modulus values and other data to calculate performance indicators such as rutting and remaining service life.  Local gravel road owners have access to a web-based gravel road asset management tool that shows all the collected information of their network on a map.  A statewide database and asset management tool leads to better use of resources and improved maintenance, performance, and resiliency.

• A Safe System Approach for Roadway Departures on Low Volume Roads

  Presenters: Jamie Sullivan (Western Transportation Institute), Dick Albin (FHWA) and Others - TBD

  Have you been hearing about the Safe System Approach, but aren’t sure how it applies to your Low Volume Roads? Then this workshop is for you! In this workshop learn how to move towards a Safe System Approach, how you can apply this approach to help with roadway departures and hear from your peers who have created safety plans addressing low volume roads. Learn about other types of safety action plans and countermeasures from guest speakers who have created safety plans addressing low volume roads and their applicability to your specific scenario. Finally, participate in a hands-on activity for identifying risk factors and potential safety countermeasures on low volume and unpaved roads.

• Finding, Retaining, and Training the Workforce to Maintain Low Volume Roads

  Presenters:David Orr, PE (New York State LTAP – Cornell Local Roads Program), Ron Eck (West Virginia LTAP), Andi Bill (Wisconsin LTAP), Rich Domonkos (Indiana LTAP), Joe Conway or Karen Bobo (Transportation Workforce Development, FHWA)

  Good employees are key to maintaining and constructing all roads, but it is especially important on the LVR system as staff sizes are small and budgets are limited. In this workshop, participants will hear ideas on finding, retaining, and training the current and next generation of workers for agencies managing the LVR system. This need for workers extends from field staff to office workers, but also include engineers, planners, and other technical positions. During the workshop, attendees will be given an opportunity to add their own ideas and experiences. These will be summarized and shared with all attendees.

10:30am-Noon Concurrent Sessions

• Development, Construction, and Instrumentation of Pilot Freeze-Thaw Resistant Granular Roadways Test Cells
• A Demonstration of Automated Driving System Performance on Rural Roadways
• A Preliminary Engineering Design of a Very Remote Project During a Global Pandemic: The Use of Advanced Satellite Technology to Plan and Design Low Volume Roads
• The Use of a Linear Crusher to Reduce Stoniness Fixed in Existing Gravel Wearing Course Layer

• Managing Roadside Ditches and Landowner Right-of-Ways: Connecting the Lines
• Performance of Low-Volume Roads Built Over Expansive Soils Reinforced with Wicking Geotextiles
• Detection and localization of culverts on a road stretch using Ground Penetrating Radar
• Wildlife Friendly Drainage Structures

• Application of Light Weight Deflectometer to Assess Structural Competency of Nontraditional Airfield Pavements during Contingency Aircraft Operations
• The Role of Temperature Gradient and Soil Thermal Properties on Frost Heave
• Development of Deceleration-Based Friction Prediction Models and Methods on Semi-Prepared Runway Surfaces
• Innovative Air Convection Embankment for Cold/Arctic Region Low Volume Roads Jenny Liu
•  

• Noon-1:30pm 

• Lunch

• 1:30pm-3:00pm Concurrent Sessions

• Pavement Maintenance and Preservation

• Data Driven Safety and Operational Analysis

• Forest Road Building

• 3:00pm-3:30pm

• Break

• 3:30pm-5:00pm Concurrent Sessions

• Geotechnical, Stabilization, and Dust Control

• Safety Practices and Applications

• Asset Management

• Affiliated Event:
• “Iowa Night” (Separate Registration Required):
• For more information, visit: Iowa Night at 2023 TRB International Low Volume Roads Conference

• Tuesday, July 25, 2023

• 7:30am–1:00pm

• Registration

• 7:30am–8:30am

• Continental Breakfast

• 7:30am–8:30am

• AKD30 Low Volume Roads Committee Meeting

• 7:30am–1:00pm

• Exhibits

• 8:30am-10:00am Concurrent Sessions

• Pavement Design and Construction

• Bridges and Structures

• Vulnerable Users of Low Volume Roads

• 10:00am- 10:30am

• Break

• 10:30am-Noon Concurrent Sessions

• Climate Resiliency

• Training & Research:  Past, Present, and Future

• Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Opportunities for Low Volume Roads (TPF 5-(495))

• Noon–1:00pm

• Lunch (Box)

• 1:00pm–5:30pm

• Conference Field Trip

• 6:00pm–8:00pm

• Conference Networking Reception/Dinner

• Wednesday, July 26, 2023

• 7:30am-3:30am

• Registration

• 7:30am–8:30am

• Continental Breakfast

• 8:30am-10:00am Concurrent Sessions

• Pavement Testing and Analysis

• Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later

• Innovations from Local Practitioners

• 10:00am–10:30am

• Break

• 10:30am-Noon Concurrent Sessions

• Unpaved Road Issues

• Policy, Planning, and Economics

• Workforce Development

• 12:00pm-1:30pm

• Lunch

• 1:30am-3:00pm Mini-Workshops

• Local Road Surface Selection Tool
• Grading Optimization Tool
• Gravel Road Management Tool

• Flooded Road Management Tool
• Automated Pavement Monitoring Tool
• Life cycle Assessment Pave Tool

• Geosynthetics Field Installation Pocket Guide
• Unstable Slope Management Program
• Truck Weight Calculator

• 3:00pm–3:30pm

• Break

• 3:30pm–5:00pm

• Closing Plenary Session

• 5:30pm-7:30pm

• A0040C Rural Transportation Issues Coordinating Council Meeting

• Thursday, July 27, 2023

• LVR 2023 Conference Planning Committee Meeting (MEMBERS ONLY)

• Affiliated Event:  Buchanan County, Iowa Bridge Tour and Workshop (Separate Registration Required):
• For more information visit:  Free Iowa Bridge Site Bus Tour & Workshop