Among the high-tech tools and innovations at FDOT’s disposal, sometimes a humble office supply may be the most valuable – the sticky note. If you have ever attended a public meeting for a transportation project in Florida, you may have seen your neighbor scribbling a note and sticking it on a map of your neighborhood. … Continue reading An Idea That Sticks: Taking Public Involvement Virtual
Imagine you are making pancakes. You separate the wet ingredients from the dry ingredients, then carefully mix. Somehow lumps still manage to form in your batter. Lucky for you, a lumpy mixture should not ruin your pancakes. But if, instead of pancakes, you were mixing grout to fortify a bridge tendon, following the recipe and … Continue reading FDOT Routs Soft Grout with New Remediation Technique
In January 2012, fog and smoke took over Interstate 75 outside of Gainesville, leading to a 19-vehicle pile-up, 11 fatalities, and 18 hospitalizations. Low-visibility road conditions due to fog and/or smoke are a major concern in Florida, as this crash was not the first or last incident to occur. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration … Continue reading Investigating Low-Visibility Crashes in Florida
Florida Department of Transportation ranks safety as a top priority for the state, and it is listed as one of FDOT’s Vital Few focus areas. Despite the vision of having fatality-free roadways, crashes are still a reality today. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles noted an increase of total annual traffic crashes … Continue reading Smart Safety: Using Apps and Eye-Tracking Technology to Evaluate School Zone Beacon and Bicycle Detection
Francesco di Giorgio Martini sketched what is believed to be the first mechanically accurate drawing of a pile driver in his 1475 treatise Trattato di Architectura. While it is certainly more rudimentary than modern devices, the basic goal is the same: use machinery to install deep foundations for supporting structures. Over the past 545 years, … Continue reading Measuring While Drilling (MWD) Data Enlightens Engineers
In 2018, Florida was ranked as having the third-highest pedestrian fatality rate in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Pedestrian safety is a nationwide issue, and it is a top priority in Florida being tackled by adding more safety features and improving facilities. Unfortunately, finding solutions is not as simple … Continue reading Now You See Me, Now You Don’t: Automatic Pedestrian Detection at Signalized Intersections and Midblock Crossings
Every year the conservation organization American Forests publishes its National Register of Champion Trees. The National Register was first established in 1940 and documents the largest living tree of each species in the United States. In 2020 Florida took home 92 championships, making it the state with the most Champion Trees in the county. Suffice … Continue reading A Winning Idea: FDOT Incorporates Horticulture for Better Asset Management
Driving from Lake City to Chipley, Dr. Mike Rodgers recalls his first involvement with Dr. Bloomquist, Dr. Crowley, and this instrument laying in the backseat of his car. Almost ten years ago, he was just an ambitious assistant researcher on the team. Now, with a Ph.D. under his belt and years of research toward improving … Continue reading Finding The Power to See Through Rock
It’s early morning and a group of bridge inspectors are running through their checklist of field equipment they need for the day ahead. Reflective vest and hardhat? Check. Car keys? Check. Coffee? Check. After pulling up to the site and getting situated, they head to the bridge to get started. Bridges on Florida’s State Highway … Continue reading Bridging The Gap: New Device May be FDOT’s Missing Link in Assessing Bridges
You are cruising down the highway, the kids sitting in the back and plugged into their devices. You are enjoying a rare moment of quiet when you see the overhead sign on the freeway displaying “Crash Ahead – Use Caution.” You start slowing down, become more attentive, and see FDOT Road Rangers attending to a … Continue reading Safer, Faster, Smarter: FDOT Proves the Safety and Mobility Benefits of TSM&O Strategies
Florida Department of Transportation Research Showcase 