Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) does not have evidence how the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) test results correlate to other test methods (say, R-value) for Colorado's pavement subgrade. Even, the correlation between single-mass, and dual-mass DCP (which are two ways of conducting DCP test) is still unknown. Pavement Mechanistic Empirical Design (PMED) guide provides some correlations among different subgrade tests. However, those correlation are derived from national data. Research was thus needed to investigate the correlation between single-mass, and dual-mass DCP, and determine correlations among other subgrade tests for Colorado's pavement soils.
The Western Slope Wildlife Prioritization Study (WSWPS) emerged from a commitment to increased collaboration between CDOT and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to address wildlife conflicts on roads. The study's objective involved identifying wildlife highway conflict areas where targeted mitigation could have the greatest impact on reducing WVCs. To meet this objective, the mule deer and elk to make cross-highway movements, particularly during migration or within winter range. This report includes a decision-support framework and tools to guide mitigation implementation in the highest advance the outcomes of this research.
This 2-year project used a ground-based laser scanner to map avalanche path snow depths to support an effectiveness assessment of recently-installed Gazex avalanche control systems in the Loveland Pass (Seven Sisters) and Berthoud Pass (Stanley) highway corridors. Scans were collected during snow-free conditions for a baseline, and then prior to and post-storm event and post control operations, as weather and logistics allowed. Snow depth and snow depth change maps were derived from the laser scans, informing an assessment of specific controlled avalanche events and the general performance of the Gazex exploders in the individual starting zones.
The two objectives for this research were to review the 2016 asphalt mixture specifications to determine whether changes were warranted that could lead to more durable asphalt mixtures and, if so, adjust the specification accordingly and construct test sections to evaluate the revised specification.
This research evaluates the effectiveness of the SH 9 Colorado River South Wildlife & Safety Improvement Project, including two wildlife overpasses, and five wildlife underpasses connected with 10.4 miles of wildlife exclusion fencing in Grand County, CO. The project was designed to improve driver safety while allowing for wildlife movement across the road. This study uses motion-activated cameras and WVC crash and carcass data to determine how successful the mitigation measures are. In addition to the crossing structures, deer guards, escape ramps, pedestrian walk-through gates and the fence end are being monitored.
Due to concerns that the hydrologic regime of the wetland complex in and around Summit Lake Park has been significantly altered by development of State Highway 5 (SH 5), a field study of the hydrology, soils, and vegetation above and below the roadway was initiated in 2018. The objectives of this study are to investigate the natural hydrologic processes and vegetation up-gradient from SH 5, and how they may be impacted in down-gradient areas. A review and synthesis of the road design elements that mitigate the effects of freeze-thaw and permafrost degradation, as well as minimize hydrologic disruption to adjacent wetlands is also included.
