Maintenance Research

Development of an Automated Pavement Crack Sealing System
(RP 2047)

The objective of this study is to provide improved hardware and methods for pavement crack sealing, enabling a reduction in labor costs, an increase in worker safety, increased pavement repair rates, and reduced material consumption. These objectives will be addressed by developing the necessary technologies, hardware, and software for automated identification, characterization, and sealing of pavement cracks.

For further information, please contact David Jared at (404) 363-7569 or fax (404) 363-7684.

Preliminary Investigation for Establishing and Maintaining Native Grasses for Right of Way Use (Pilot Project)(SRS 05-10)

The two primary objectives of this study are the following: (1) determine which native plants (grasses and/or wildflowers) might be used with or in place of the current exotic species specified for erosion control purposes and for treatment on non-mowable slopes of less than 3:1; and (2) establish a method of removing and/or reducing non-native vegetation located outside the clear zone on mowable areas of 3:1 or flatter; methods which may allow native grasses and/or wildflowers to establish.

For further information, please contact David Jared at 404.363.7569.

System Enhancement for an Automated Raised-Pavement-Marker-Placement Machine (RP 07-20)

The objective of the proposed effort is to enhance a previously developed RPM placement system to allow for production operation and to modify the RPM placement system to utilize the nominal 4 X 4 markers that are expected to be used by GDOT Maintenance in the near future.

The product of this research will be a full-scale, truck-mounted RPM placement system capable of placing either standard-shape RPMs or one of several manufacturers’ square-base, sanded bottom markers. The system will have two placement mechanisms, each capable of dispensing an RPM onto the pavement together with the necessary hot-melt adhesive applied at 380°F while traveling at 5 mph. The placement mechanisms are supported on a pattern-change mechanism that can position the two placement mechanisms to accommodate any of the five specified RPM placement patterns.

For further information, please contact David Jared at 404.363.7569.