The Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) includes research in Highway Operations. The studies making up this subprogram are Maintenance Effectiveness, and Snow and Ice Control. Investigations in Maintenance Effectiveness will determine the efficacy of different preventive maintenance treatments for flexible and rigid pavements. Surface dressings, crack sealing, and thin overlays will be evaluated for flexible pavements. Undersealing and crack sealing will be evaluated for rigid pavements. Instruments and equipment for identifying and measuring pavement distress which can be addressed with preventive maintenance procedures will be developed. Innovative materials and equipment for pavement maintenance will be evaluated in the program. Safety measures for maintenance workers and highway users in highway work zones will be developed. Finally, training information and training materials for maintenance managers and workers will be produced. 16.6 million US dollar have been budgeted for this work. Snow and Ice Control investigations include fundamental studies to prevent ice bonding to pavements; or, if formed, to destroy the bond. Surface modifications and deicing by chemical means are being investigated. Standardized evaluation procedures for deicing chemicals will be developed for highway agencies to use. More efficient snow plow designs will be produced and prototype plows will be tested. Weather and storm monitoring equipment and communications systems to enable the highway agencies to manage their snow and ice control resources better will be developed. The work in this part of the program is budgeted for 6.6 million US dollar.
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