EZ-Kade is a new Type III barricade from Korman Sign, Inc. that is easy to set up, transport, and store. The quick release barricade is made of versatile square tubing for both skids and uprights. There are no parts or pieces to keep track of and no tools necessary to drop and fold the barricade. Just lift and the uprights lay flat. Panels are available in 8-inch-wide hollow core plastic or up to 12-inch-wide 2MM ALPOLIC 350. The 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-foot panels can be covered with reflective sheeting in 3M Diamond, Hi-Intensity or Engineer grade sheeting on one or both sides.

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Steel drum roller

A new steel drum roller from Road Press quick mounts to any road grader ripper bar or other type of equipment. The roller is 7-feet wide; can hold up to 225 gallons of liquid for extra compaction; weighs approximately 4,000 pounds; has front and rear scrapers; will oscillate up to 12% slope; and is very low maintenance.

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Post driver

The Man Saver T-Post Driver from Rohrer Manufacturing takes the hard labor out of driving posts along highways. The patented, pneumatic post driver features durable steel construction with an operating speed of 80 to 85 strokes per minute. The driver operates off any small air compressor that delivers at least 2.2 cubic feet of air at 70 to 110 pounds per square inch. A compact size makes remote locations and tight spots accessible. It drives posts without bending them and will work wherever a 35-pound hand driver is used. The drivers range in weight from only 26 pounds for the basic T-post driver up to 48 pounds for the largest model.

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Stormwater treatment system

Vortechnics’ new, full-capture, screening device removes trash and organic debris from urban runoff. The high-capacity VortCapture employs a unique screen design that maximizes hydraulic capacity, minimizes blinding, and removes all particles greater than 5 millimeters in size, including those that are neutrally buoyant, from stormwater flows before they enter the surrounding watershed. The internal components are housed in a round, concrete manhole. Its leightweight compact design is well suited for tight sites and can be used as a standalone treatment system or as a pre-treatment device in conjunction with other stormwater best management practices.

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Ice camera/RWIS

Surface Systems Inc., a member of Quixote Transportation Technologies, integrated ice camera technology with RWIS, providing advancements in how customers view data and make important winter maintenance decisions. The ice camera is an active, eye-safe laser-based sensor that can classify surface conditions over a wide target area in any lighting conditions.

The camera is non-intrusive and designed to be mounted directly on existing RWIS sites or other existing structures; it can be used to monitor and manage road conditions, track the quality of ice/snow removal services, and monitor bridge decks.

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Pavement quality indicator

The HM-598 Pavement Quality Indicator from Gilson Company produces fast, accurate, and repeatable in-place density and temperature measurements of asphalt pavement. Instantaneous density and temperature readings help field personnel establish  more effective roller patterns and ensure pavement densities are within the targeted range. It quickly identifies tender zones and segregated areas; rapidly profiles densities in critical areas such as wheel paths, longitudinal joints, and unconfined edges; and evaluates pavement sections for coring. Results are displayed within seconds. Up to 99 readings can be stored by station, location, date, and time for later downloading to a PC or laptop.

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Phosphorescent glass beads

TriVona Innovations, a joint venture between Tri E Technologies and Visionglow of North America, developed a process for incorporating photoluminescent pigment with glass bead. This bead will glow in the dark for increased visibility during nighttime driving, rain, or fog. Benefits include over 12 hours of glow; stability in wet and acidic conditions; a minimal amount of light required to achieve glow; glass bead appearing white during the day; and availability in aqua-blue or green glow.

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Reclamation and erosion control

Easy Lawn used Conexpo-Con/Agg to exhibit samples of what the company calls "the world's broadest line of Hydroseeding machines." Products range from 350-1200 gallon jet agitation units to 600-3300 gallon paddle agitation machines. Systems are used for land reclamation and erosion control, as well as commercial and residential lawns.

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Speed radar

Peek Traffic Corporation, a member of Quixote Traffic Corporation, is the exclusive provider of the RS240 Doppler Tracking Radar which has the ability to track speed, distance, direction, and time of up to eight vehicles simultaneously. The RS240 has unique technology that determines vehicle speed by redundant, but separately determined, measurements. It is designed with automatic internal calibration that verifies all signal paths in the low-frequency band and the signal processing to ensure correct measurements at all times.

The radar is extremely simple to install. A mobile application can be up and running in minutes, which is crucial in a traffic environment. The system eliminates the need for permanent intrusive loops and the associated costs and installation difficulties when used in red-light enforcement systems.

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IECA’s Environmental Connection 05

Here are a few new products that were presented at the International Erosion Control Association EC 05 conference in February.

Starch-based polymer tackifier

Chemstar’s new StarTak 100 product is a cost-effective, naturally occurring organic tackifier for use in soil stabilization and hydroseeding applications. The product acts as an adhesive to bind soil, fiber, and seed particles together to help control the effects of wind and water erosion during seed germination and plant establishment. The product is derived from 100% natural starch polymer, and is free of odors, contaminants, toxins, and weed seed residue, making it safe for the environment, plants, and animals. It has been recognized as a preferred natural tackifier by several departments of transportation — Minnesota, New Hampshire, California, and Nevada.

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Bonded fiber matrix

The new Enviro-Shield Bonded Fiber Matrix from Industrial Products Division of United States Gypsum Company is a blend of fibers and bonding ingredients that, when mixed together, forms a slurry that cures and creates a protective crust.

This crust is designed to prevent water and wind erosion, as well as enhance germination. The matrix is inexpensive, quick to install, and is harmless to plants and wildlife.

Rockfall protection netting

Maccaferri’s new RockMesh MW system is a reinforced rockfall protection netting for slopes. According to the company, the system offers twice the strength of traditional rockfall netting systems because of the steel cables that are inserted within the double-twist, woven-steel wire netting. The high-strength steel cables can contain rocks and boulders greater than 2 feet in diameter. The netting can be PVC coated in natural colors — black, beige, tan, and sandstone — to camouflage the mesh.

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Net-free erosion-control blanket

American Excelsior Company’s Earth Science Division introduced a new erosion-control blanket that is net-free, making it 100% biodegradable.

Curlex NetFree consists of softly barbed, interlocking and curled Great Lakes aspen fibers which are stitched together with a 100% biodegradable thread. The blanket is available in 8- by 90-foot rolls.

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Reprinted from Better Roads Magazine
May 2005

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