Maintenance
PennDOT District 3
Backup Spreader Lights
Visibility issues on snowplows that are backing up led to a pilot that added an extra pair of lights in the back for use during dark-hour operations.
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Virtual Exhibit Hall
Learn about even more innovations being used across Pennsylvania at the state and local levels by browsing the Virtual Exhibit Hall. Find innovative equipment, materials, applications, and technologies that can help you do your job safer, better, faster, and save money.
Have a question about a specific exhibit? Connect with any exhibitor using the Virtual Exhibit Hall Contact Form to get more information and to discuss the innovation with subject-matter experts.
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Exhibits
Construction & Materials
Accelerated Bridge Construction
Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) is used to build more durable bridges faster, reducing onsite construction time and improving safety without sacrificing quality.
Learn MoreSafety & Traffic Operations
Adaptive Signal Control Technology (ASCT)
Adaptive Signal Control Technology (ASCT) adjusts the timing of red, yellow and green lights to accommodate changing traffic patterns, ease traffic congestion, and improve safety.
Learn MoreSafety & Traffic Operations
PennDOT District 5
Advanced Traffic Management System Integrated Queue Detection System
The Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) Integrated Queue Detection was developed to detect slow/stopped traffic on a designated area of interest also known as corridor utilizing live traffic data.
Learn More (PDF)Other
Agility Program
Agility enables PennDOT and its eligible partners to exchange services, equipment and staff without monetary payments. Agility helps PennDOT and its partners to make the most of limited resources, while developing strong and rewarding relationships.
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Other
PennDOT District 3
Best Practices and Innovative Ideas
A variety of best practices shared through the WorkSmart app and innovative ideas implemented through Central Office's IdeaLink and the District 3 Innovation Council.
Learn More (video)Design
Bridge Deck Link Slabs
Bridge deck joints have been one of the leading causes for premature bridge deterioration. Link slabs are an economical way to eliminate bridge joints by connecting adjacent deck sections with a specially designed slab composed of either traditional or Ultra-High Performance Concrete.
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PennDOT District 9
Bridge Flushing with Vacuum Trailer
Cambria County uses the vacuum trailer to flush strip seals, which increases production of maintenance crews.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
PennDOT District 1
Brine Shop
Improvements to the Brine Shop have increased brine production from 5,000 gallons per hour to 7,500 gallons per hour with consistent salt percentage/specific gravity.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
PennDOT District 1
Case Skid Steer Retrofit
Case Skid Steer machine attachments get retrofitted and color-coded to allow attachments to be easily identified and work on all skid steers.
Learn More (PDF)Construction & Materials
Cement Slurry for Full Depth Reclamation (FDR)
Supplying Cement Slurry for FDR in Ready Mixed Concrete Trucks allows for cement slurry to be applied in liquid form to the road base to provide stability.
Learn MoreConstruction & Materials
Certified Concrete Finishers Course
The goal of the training, which includes classroom and practical, hands-on training, is to help eliminate mistakes in concrete finishing that can result in costly repairs or construction.
Learn MoreDesign
Collaborative Hydraulics: Advancing to the Next Generation of Engineering
The Collaborative Hydraulics: Advancing to the Next Generation of Engineering (CHANGE) innovation provides improved understanding of the complex interactions between waterways and infrastructure.
Learn MoreConstruction & Materials
PennDOT District 4
Cost Exposure Log
An automated log provides real-time and accurate information on all costs associated with a construction project.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
Cold Patch Warmer
Using cold patch in the cold weather is difficult because it is very stiff and hard to compact. By heating the cold patch, it becomes easy to rake out and can be compacted for a good patch.
Learn More (PDF)Construction & Materials
PennDOT District 5
Construction Operations During COVID-19
When routine in-person activities were suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions, the District 5 Construction Unit embraced modern technology to continue operations virtually.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
PennDOT District 9
CRAFCO Air Hose Relocation
Air hose relocation is a low-cost safety improvement for a labor-intensive operation.
Learn More (PDF)Design
Design-Build Traffic Control Plan
Design-Build Traffic Control Plans (DBTCPs) is an innovation that improves project delivery by exploring ways to provide greater contractor flexibility in constructing the project.
Learn MoreDesign
Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI)
A Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) is an intersection and interchange design that enhances and simplifies the operation of diamond-style interchanges by moving the crossroad traffic to the opposite side of the roadway at the on and off-ramps to the interchange.
Learn MoreConstruction & Materials
e-Construction and Partnering
The e-Construction and Partnering (eCP) innovation uses web and mobile-based platforms to limit or replace the use of paper, and increase collaboration and communication on construction projects.
Learn MoreConstruction & Materials
PennDOT District 10
e-Ticketing
e-Ticketing reduces paper contacts while improving efficiency and accuracy of transactions between PennDOT and material producers.
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PennDOT District 8
Envirosight Quickview Pole Camera
The Envirosight Quick View Pole Camera can be used for drainage facility inspections without the need of a lane closure.
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PennDOT District 1
Evolving Community Engagement
Designing public projects requires communication and collaboration with the communities we serve. Bringing community members to the table is an important part of the planning process.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
Excavator Hammer Holder
A unique storage solution allows the borough's excavator hammer to be stored in an upright position to prevent its seals from getting damaged.
Learn More (PDF)Other
FHWA Accelerating Innovation Initiatives
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) helps make innovation a reality through their state driven-innovation programs like Every Day Counts (EDC) and the State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) Network.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
PennDOT District 5
Fleet Wash Quality Assurance Checklist
With workers not washing all vital areas of equipment, a checklist was created to help workers wash equipment properly and on a regular schedule.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
Fog Seal Over a Chip Seal
A fog seal is a thin application of an asphalt emulsion to an existing pavement surface with or without a fine aggregate cover. PennDOT developed and approved the specification for the combination with input from the Pennsylvania Association of Asphalt Material Applicators.
Learn MoreConstruction & Materials
Geosynthetic Stabilized Bridge Approach
GSBA is a construction method that reduces roadway settlement directly adjacent to a bridge abutment, a problem commonly called "bridge bump," where drivers feel a "bump" as they enter or exit a bridge.
Learn MoreMaintenance
Gravity Feed Brine Spreader
Pressure system spreaders have issues with clogged nozzles and fitters. You also have a gas engine to worry about. This system only has one moving part, an electric valve which as a switch inside the cab. We have 5 spreaders in service for 3 years and have had zero problems so far.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
PennDOT District 1
Grizzly Static Material Screener
A material screener filters larger pieces of millings from smaller ones as part of the process to widen and back up shoulders using the millings.
Learn More (PDF)Construction & Materials
GRS-IBS
An integrated bridge system (IBS) uses Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil (GRS), beams and decks to strengthen the roadway.
Learn MoreConstruction & Materials
PennDOT District 2
Half-Width Concrete Deck Structures - Epoxy Overlay
Construction and maintenance crews apply an epoxy as a treatment on bridge decks to prevent deck deterioration, increase skid resistance and help seal any cracks on the bridge's concrete.
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PennDOT District 4
Harvest Head Attachment
The Harvest Head attachment for the Track Hoe Excavator reduces the time to clear vegetation and trees without the risk of getting hurt while using a chain saw.
Learn More (PDF)Safety & Traffic Operations
High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST)
High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST) increases roadway surface friction, allowing motorists to stop sooner and maintain control. HFST dramatically increases roadway skid resistance, which prevents crashes.
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Hot Pour Mastics
Hot Pour Mastics (HPM) provides a stable, flexible repair that bonds firmly with existing pavements.
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PennDOT District 6
Icicle Knocker
A system using steel square tubing was installed into the back of a dump truck to remove icicles safely and more efficiently from tunnels.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
LED Highway Lighting
Light-Emitting Diode (LED) highway lighting luminaires are being installed on highways and bridges across Pennsylvania in place of traditional High Pressure Sodium (HPS) luminaires.
Learn MoreMaintenance
PennDOT District 9
Living Snow Fence
In areas where winter weather can create dangerous snow drifts, the planting of certain species can create a maintenance-free barrier for our roadways.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
PennDOT District 11
Longitudinal Joint Repair Methods
Centerline and edgeline failures are common on asphalt pavement. To determine what longitudinal joint repair method works best, PennDOT District 11 put two to the test.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
Maintenance Accreditation Performance Index (MAPI)
MAPI is a live and automated system where maintenance districts can engage metrics to make sound business decisions and drive performance improvement throughout their organization.
Learn MoreDesign
PennDOT Districts 11 & 12
Median U-Turn Intersection
To address severe bottlenecks and congestion-related safety concerns, new Median U-Turn Intersections were installed in busy urban areas.
Learn More (PDF)Other
PennDOT District 10
Monthly WEX Report Verification
To limit the amount of time employees and administrative assistants spend processing WEX forms, a new succinct process was created to save time and resources.
Learn More (PDF)Construction & Materials
PennDOT District 12
Ohiopyle Multimodal Gateway: Pervious Pavement and Storm Water Management
To address stormwater issues occurring, PennDOT teamed up with partners on best management practices and installed pervious pavement.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
PennDOT District 5
One Person Sandbag Filler
This innovation uses PVC pipe to improve production in filling sandbags, making the process faster and more efficient with limited resources.
Learn More (PDF)Design
PennDOT District 3
Pavement Core Locations
Taking additional photos from a close, but recognizable distance to allow the department to better place the location of core samples taken on department project and making the image available for future use.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
Pavement Preservation
Pavement Preservation (When, Where and How) is a multi-faceted combination of strategies to provide and maintain serviceable roadways.
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PennDOT Road Weather Information System (RWIS)
This tool aids in predicting and managing snow and other weather-related concerns before situations escalate and is key to successful decision making during these types of events.
Learn More (PDF)Construction & Materials
Pervious Pavement
Pervious Pavement allows water to pass through the pavement to reduce surface runoff and recharge groundwater sources.
Learn MoreMaintenance
PennDOT District 9
Pink Flag Policy: Overhead Line Delineation
After a dangerous situation, a new policy was developed to help increase situational awareness in work zones where there are live overhead lines.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
Williams Township Northampton County
Pipe Flusher
The pipe flusher allows further advancement into a drainage pipe to reach a clog. It's a metal pipe that can connect in sections to the fire hose and push through the drainage pipe.
Learn MoreMaintenance
Polish Paver
A creative piece of equipment allows for more blacktop to be put down with less work.
Learn More (PDF)Construction & Materials
PennDOT District 11
Polyester Polymer Concrete Overlay on Bridge Decks
Polyester Polymer Concrete Overlays protect and extend the life of bridge decks, reducing the need for future repairs.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
PennDOT District 5
Pre-Winter Checklist
To ensure all winter preparedness items are completed prior to winter operations, the PennDOT team in Northampton County developed a detailed checklist.
Learn More (PDF)Safety & Traffic Operations
Predictive Analysis for Work Zones (FREEVAL-PA)
FREEVAL-PA is a freeway analysis tool based on the Highway Capacity Manual that can be used to analyze roadways to determine likely results of events like work zones.
Learn MoreConstruction & Materials
Prefabricated Bridge Elements
Prefabricated Bridge Elements (PBES) include different bridge components that are constructed off site under controlled conditions and moved to the work site for rapid installation.
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PennDOT District 4
Protective Equipment Undercoating
Use of a protective undercoating on equipment frames and chassis components deterred the amount of rust buildup.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
PennDOT District 4
Receiving Material/Material Storage Buildings
As a result of buildings getting damaged during salt deliveries, a process was developed to prevent future damage during deliveries.
Learn More (PDF)Safety & Traffic Operations
Recessed All-Weather Pavement Markings
Use of these pavement markings helps to enhance driver safety by providing nighttime retroreflectivity, especially during wet weather conditions.
Learn More (PDF)Construction & Materials
PennDOT District 11
Recycled Asphalt Pavement (Milling Haulback)
With a need to lower costs and find an instant use for milled materials, Allegheny County found a solution.
Learn More (PDF)Safety & Traffic Operations
PennDOT District 6
Robotic Roadway Marking System
Manually laying out traffic markings can be dangerous, by automating this practice, District 6 found some major improvements to its processes.
Learn MoreDesign
Roundabouts
A roundabout is a type of circular intersection. Roundabouts offer improved safety with fewer conflict points, slower speeds and easier decision making.
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PennDOT District 5
Rust Preventative for Truck Frame Rails
Salt and winter conditions wear down and rust frames of department equipment. District 5 found a product to use as a preventative barrier.
Learn More (PDF)Safety & Traffic Operations
Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP)
Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) is a systemic application of cost-effective countermeasures with known safety benefits that can help reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities at crossing locations.
Learn MoreOther
Safety Citizens
Safety Citizens is a virtual community outreach program inviting Pennsylvanians to express their creativity while responding to traffic safety questions.
Learn MoreMaintenance
Salt & Snow Management Course
The Salt and Snow Management Course provides training to local municipalities on new methods and best practices to help improve local winter maintenance operations and provide safe, passable roadways as efficiently as possible during winter events.
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PennDOT District 5
Sand Truck for Fluid Leaks
After a crash, a truck carrying sand is dispatched to the crash scene to help deal with fluid leaks or spills.
Learn More (PDF)Safety & Traffic Operations
Sequential Dynamic Lighting Curve Warning Systems
Sequential Dynamic Lighting Curve Warning Systems alert motorists to slow down when approaching and driving through sharp curves. This system can prevent or reduce the severity of run-off-the-road crashes.
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PennDOT District 10
Side Dozing Equipment Attachment
The Side Dozing attachment was created out of necessity for a more efficient operation. The attachment, on both the mini and full-size excavators, has increased production, at minimal cost, due to the ability of continuous side dozing.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
Sign Post Driver
To combat swelling and cracking when installing sign posts into rocky terrain, a new driver was developed to help reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Learn More (PDF)Construction & Materials
Skid Steer Paver Box
The paver allows us to set an even height, eliminating wavy road surfaces and creating safer driving conditions. With this new equipment, minimal hand work is required, reducing the risk of injury and worker fatigue.
Learn MoreConstruction & Materials
SLAM: Mobile Lidar for Pavement Preservation Projects
The GeoSLAM lidar unit is a cost effective and quick solution for small or low effort pavement preservation projects in need of surveys.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
Snow Fence Installation Equipment
To reduce a time consuming and labor-intensive snow fence installation process, equipment was developed to help road crews safely and efficiently install temporary snow fence in about one third of the time.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
Snow Fence Winder
To aid in putting up and tearing down snow fence, the Penn Township's public works crew used a framework of an old stone pan from the back of a dump truck with added hydraulics and valving to make a snow fence winder.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
PennDOT District 11
Spreader Cart
With limited equipment and staffing, a unique, time and resource-saving cart was built for use at each stockpile in Lawrence County.
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Spreader Rack
To save space and time, a portable storage rack for spreaders was developed, allowing spreaders to be moved throughout the building and even outside to a lift for truck mounting.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
Spreader Storage Rack
A portable hydraulic vehicle lift was developed to remove, transport and install spreaders more efficiently.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
PennDOT District 12
Stop The Bleed Training
Proper training and the right split-second, decision-making can help save lives. With this focus, District 12 highlights how it implemented a training aimed at educating employees on how to control bleeding at the scene of an incident.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
PennDOT District 4
Storeroom Barrier
To prevent the spread of germs from employees coming into close contact, a barrier system was developed to help employees safely obtain supplies.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
Storm Sewer Inlet Puller
A user-friendly tool was fabricated to remove sewer inlet covers more efficiently for inspection and cleaning
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
Stormwater Training & Field Guidebook
Stormwater Management Training and Field Guidebook helps maintenance crews at PennDOT, other state agencies, and local governments care for Stormwater Control Measures (SCM).
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Street Sweeper Sewer Grate Hoist
To reduce the amount of time and personnel needed, a securing mechanism was fabricated to mount a 1,000-pound crane/hoist to the rear of the street sweeper.
Learn More (PDF)Other
PennDOT District 5
Street to Feet Litter Campaign
Nonprofits and government agencies team up to tackle a county's litter problem.
Learn More (PDF)Design
PennDOT District 10
Survey Scanner to Monitor Movement
To increase accuracy and employee safety, survey crews utilize a new process and system to monitor movement of structures.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
The Armadillo Cover
To address spilling salt when loading V-Boxes in pick up trucks, the crew developed a cover that easily hooks to the sides of the V-Box, and keeps the excess salt from entering the bed and making the clean up faster.
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The Grate Solution
Utilizing spare steel and old snowplow parts, a mobile hitch-mounted lift was developed to remove storm grates more efficiently for the cleaning and repair of catch basins.
Learn More (PDF)Maintenance
The GUIDE-ing LITE
To aid in cleaning under guide rails, a pusher was built to fit on the forks of a skid-steer, and chains used to hold it in place.
Learn MoreMaintenance
The Super Puller
An easily removeable sign puller was designed and mounted on snowplow mounting brackets, which allowed for the truck's power supply to remove signs.
Learn MoreSafety & Traffic Operations
Traffic Operations Performance Program
By crowdsourcing data, PennDOT is able to make educated, data-based decisions.
Learn MoreConstruction & Materials
Ultra-High Performance Concrete
Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC), an Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) material, is a steel fiber-reinforced cementitious composite that has exceptionally high mechanical strength and durability properties.
Learn MoreOther
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), or drones, are becoming increasingly more prevalent in the highway transportation industry due to their cost effectiveness, efficiency, versatility, and accuracy.
Learn MoreConstruction & Materials
PennDOT District 6
Virtual Inspections
With the world changing, the need to ensure that construction is being performed correctly to standards turns virtual.
Learn More (PDF)Design
PennDOT District 8
Virtual Public Plans Displays
In a COVID-19 world, virtual plans displays allow for increased public involvement and make it easier for the public to be more involved in providing feedback on PennDOT projects.
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