September 2002
New Road Products
New materials and supplies for the road market
by Kerry L. Clines, Associate Editor

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To receive more information on the products listed below:

1.  Click on RoadFax link - keep window opened until all items are entered.
                                                     and/or
2.  Click on Company Link (when available) for information from their website.
3.  Check our Manufacturer's Links and/or Buyers Guide for additional links.

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Marion Steel has made some recent design improvements to its Slip Safe breakaway signpost. One enhancement is the deepening of the channel in the casting creating more room to work with the hardware during installation. The second is the creation of the U-washer designed to slip over the existing hardware, creating stability and acting like a safety cover. The flexibility has also been improved with the introduction of the square tube breakaway system that allows the user to interchange square tube base posts with U-channel top posts and vice versa.

Epoxy-coated rebar

The Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute recently concluded a research project addressing the corrosion of steel reinforcing bars in bridge decks in South Dakota. The conclusion of the report was that epoxy-coated bars outperformed microcomposite steel reinforcing and conventional black bars and were found to be the most cost-effective material for use in the bridge decks.

Oil-injected rammer

Wacker’s new oil-injected rammer series uses a patented oil-injection system that offers unique advantages: runs up to 65 hours on a single tank of oil; offers a 120:1 fuel/oil ratio; eliminates premixing gas and oil; prevents spark plug fouling and carbon buildup; prevents fumes, smoke, and straight gas damage to the engine; and meets the EPA’s 2004 stringent engine requirements. The system was designed directly into the WM 80 engine. Wacker is offering a two-year warranty on all oil-injected WM 80 engines.

Tow-behind sweeper

Sweepster’s new tow-behind sweeper, Tow-A-Vac, offers an economical cleaning solution for streets. The sweeper performs like a truck vacuum and features: a Kohler horizontal twin cylinder engine; a 25-gallon sprinkler system; a shock-loaded curb broom; and overall sweeping dimensions of 82 by 16 inches.

Solar-powered light

Carmanah Technologies Corporation has released a new solar-powered, LED lighting product for the transit market. Waiting passengers simply push a button to activate a flashing beacon to notify bus drivers that a stop is requested. In addition, the solar transit stop uses high-intensity LEDs to internally illuminate bus schedule information. The timetable and beacon install on any bus stop signpost in minutes and run for three to five years maintenance free with zero operating costs.

Concrete pavement treatment

The Euclid Chemical Company has introduced a new lithium treatment for treating concrete damaged by alkali-silica reactivity. EUCO ARC Treatment is ideal for repairing highways, bridges, and other concrete structures. The lithium-based liquid treatment penetrates the surface and reduces swelling and expansions caused by a gel that forms from the chemical reaction between the reactive silica in aggregates and the sodium and potassium alkalis present in the concrete mix. The treatment is safer to use than caustic lithium hydroxide and twice as effective in reducing expansions.

Pavement marking removal

NLB Corporation’s new StripeJet removes pavement markings faster than grinding, without damage to asphalt or concrete. Its patented rotating water jets are mounted to a compact vehicle with a tight turning radius for easy maneuvering in limited access areas such as intersections. The unit is just 10-feet long and connects easily to an NLB ultra-high pressure pump unit and vacuum truck. Five cleaning head options, from 8 to 24 inches, suit a variety of surfaces and markings.

Reflective outerwear

Tracer Gear, from LaCrosse Rainfair Safety Products, Inc., combines reflective material with a unique application pattern designed to enhance worker visibility and safety, even in low light and at night. The garments feature 3M Scotchlite reflective material for high visibility in accordance with ANSI/ISEA 107 visibility requirements, and come in a complete selection of protective outerwear engineered for any weather condition, including rainwear with elastic inner sleeves to keep arms snug and dry during overhead work.

Core removal tool

Humboldt Mfg. Co. has developed a new tool to aid in the removal of core samples from roadway construction projects. The new tool, the CoreSnap, allows you to remove a drilled sample from a roadbed at or below the tackline without prying or drilling completely through the old roadbed. Simply seat the tool down over a normally cut core, tighten the binding bolt, and a quick lateral motion of the handle breaks the core sample away from the older mat beneath.

Roadside cutter

Schulte Industries’ XH1000/ XH1500 Series 2 cutters feature standard tandem walking axles, a mechanically free floating hitch, and standard stump jumpers that result in smooth operations over rough surfaces and allow the cutter to easily clear obstructions. The XH1000 and XH1500 have cutting widths of 126 inches and 180 inches respectively, making them a good choice for demanding roadside maintenance work. The XH1500 (pictured) offers a five year limited warranty on its gear box.

Sound barrier

A new sound barrier system from Carsonite is designed for use along highways, crowded residential roads, and other high-traffic areas where noise is a concern. The tongue-and-groove modular sections are made from fiberglass-reinforced polymer composite and are filled with ground, recycled tire waste. The barrier’s lightweight design allows it to be installed on existing structures without requiring additional reinforcement.

Temporary curb

Qwick Kurb, Inc. offers their Qwick Kurb System for use in work-zone applications. The curb system is quick and easy to install, relocate, and store for the next job.

Each piece of separator joins to the next using a metal hook and tongue system. The upright markers rebound on impact without dislodging the separator. The curb system is available in white for same direction traffic or yellow for separating two-directional traffic.

Truck scale system

Weigh-Tronix, Inc. has introduced a truck scale that provides both axle weight and total truck weight from a conventional truck scale. Traxle uses measurement acquisition software and innovative sensor polling technology to calculate individual axle weights, plus legal-for-trade gross, tare, and net weights in one trip to the scale. A driver simply pulls onto the scale for an initial weight reading, then advances the truck a minimum of 2 feet on the platform where a second reading is obtained. The system automatically calculates the total weight and differential of steering, drive, and trailer axles. The four weight values are displayed on the WPI-135 indicator and transmitted to a printer or other peripherals.

Construction management software

Dexter + Chaney has released an enhanced job overview inquiry for its Forefront Construction Management Software for heavy/highway contractors. By providing detailed job progress, including job-to-date costs and billings, change requests, and original contract details, the inquiry gives the user complete job visibility and control — in a single screen.

Road patch roller

Root Spring Scraper is introducing its new road patch roller this year. The roller features easy hook-up to existing plow hitches with no modification necessary, an attached spray tank to keep the drum clean, and a large 24-inch-diameter by 48-inch-wide water-filled drum with spring-loaded broom and scraper bar. The roller weighs 1,180 pounds and is designed for use on all Root hitches.

Safety light

GTM Canada has introduced the VIP Safety Light. The light is highly visible from as far away as 5 miles in darkness; performs several functions — flashing signal mode, steady on/proximity flashlight mode, and SOS visual signal mode; and is very durable — lifetime bulb, superior strength case and lens, waterproof to 100 meters, and operates from -40 to +50 degrees C.

Snowplow tracking system

A new tracking system by Grey Island Systems Inc. allows residents to track snowplows, windrow clearers, and salters on the Internet. The winter maintenance vehicles are equipped with radio receivers that are then tracked using GPS. The Internet maps are somewhat crude — each vehicle is represented by a blue dot with an arrow inside that drops smaller red dots as streets are cleared and salted. Not only can the residents keep track of when their street will be cleared, but the city can manage the snowplow routes more efficiently and reduce the use of road salt by preventing overlapping routes.

Ice control operations

Dickey-john Corporation has introduced the LT Control, a compact and simple-to-use control unit for conveyor/spinner systems on granular trucks used for winter maintenance. The unit can be installed easily, without extensive retrofitting, and enables trucks to perform more precise material application and eliminate wasted material by synchronizing application rate with truck speed. As the truck speeds up or slows down, the conveyor/auger rate is adjusted; when the truck stops, the material stops.

Storm screen

The all-new StormScreen from Stormwater Management Inc., a passive, siphon-actuated screening system, is designed to remove trash and debris from very high flows. The system is composed of one or more radial-flow cartridges inside an underground concrete vault or catch basin that use a patented, self-cleaning mechanism to prevent blinding of the screen surface. All solids larger than the size of a bb are removed, regardless of the flow rate through the system.