Evaluation of Maintenance Procedures for Hard Shoulder Running, Phase 1

To address traffic congestion, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) plans to use the inside eastbound shoulder of I-670 on the east side of Columbus as an additional traffic lane during the afternoon commute as a trial of hard shoulder running active traffic management. In order to fully implement hard shoulder running a review and possible updates of the Department’s operation procedures are necessary. The purpose of this research is to identify and recommend safe, efficient, and cost effective procedures and equipment which keep the shoulder clear of debris for use by traffic. A detail literature search was conducted to identify equipment for cleaning shoulders and agencies with hard shoulder running. These agencies were contacted to learn their procedures and equipment used for cleaning shoulders. ODOT Franklin County garage and central office Traffic Management Center personnel were interview to learn current procedures for clearing shoulders. The ODOT Franklin County crew demonstrated current shoulder cleaning procedures on I-270 in northeast Columbus. Samples of the collected debris were obtained and the composition determined. Detailed information for identified shoulder cleaning equipment was compiled from which marginal shoulder cleaning cost per mile, operating speed, debris type collected, and safety of operation were determined and used for evaluating each cleaning procedure using a decision matrix. Recommendations were made with regard to cleaning equipment and schedules; cooperation between ODOT, safety patrol, bus operator, and law enforcement; current procedures for clearing disabled vehicles and debris; and operation during inclement weather. Based on a decision matrix analysis, the following equipment was recommended for further analysis under phase 2: street sweeper, Road Rake, and magnetic street sweeper. A phase 2 work plan was provided.

• Record URL:
  https://cdm16007.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p267401ccp2/id/17668
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/66298
• Corporate Authors:

  Ohio Research Institute for Transportation and the Environment (ORITE)

  Ohio University
  Athens, Ohio  United States 

  Ohio Department of Transportation

  Office of Research and Development
  1980 West Broad Street
  Columbus, OH  United States  43223

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Green, Roger R
  • 0000-0003-2497-825X
  • Robbins, Mary
  • 0000-0002-3394-8602
  • Jozwiak, Matt
• Publication Date: 2019-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 71p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cleaning; Evaluation and assessment; Highway maintenance; Literature reviews; Maintenance equipment; Paved shoulders; Recommendations; Road shoulders; Traffic lanes
• Geographic Terms: Ohio
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01702908
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/OH-2019/8
• Contract Numbers: 135766
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Apr 25 2019 11:18AM