There's bound to be something you'll be interested in from among this year's top 20 products and services. While there is a wide variety of offerings on the list, readers seemed particularly interested in several computer programs, and not one, but three different kinds of dust control materials.

So here they are -- the 20 hottest products and services of 1998, as determined by reader requests for more information.

More product information available on the web sites, hyperlinks provided for your convenience.

Drainage handbook on CD

Better Roads’ readers were obviously very happy with Hancor Incorporated’s offer of a free CD-ROM containing the company’s complete Drainage Handbook. The CD — compatible with all Windows 95, 98, and NT-based systems, as well as Macintosh computers — includes everything users need to know to specify and install corrugated polyethylene drainage pipe for highway, stormwater, or other construction applications.

Not resting on its laurels, Hancor now offers you Volume II — also free — of the CD-ROM handbook that includes major updates and additions such as new specifications, new technical information in areas from hydraulics to structural design, and a complete pipe installation guide. Other sections of the CDs hold technical information on pipe properties, technical bulletins, Hancor product certifications, and a complete section of line and fittings drawings. All of the information can be copied and saved onto users’ hard drives. This CD is one that will provide reliable source information about drainage that’s quickly available when you need it for new projects.

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Corporate Web Site

Collectible models

The bad news is that, by the time you read this, our second top offering from 1998 may be sold out. It’s the Caterpillar 140H Motor Grader model from Classic Construction Models, the fifth in a series of 12 pieces in the Caterpillar Classic Collection. The individually numbered models are set at 1:87 scale with production limited to 1,000, which is true of all models in the series.

The good news is that the latest in the series is now available — the Cat PM465 Cold Planer. It promises to be another sought-after model.

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Phone (503) 626-6395

SHRP software

HWYCON, a computer program that developed out of the Strategic Highway Research Program, assists in making decisions related to the diagnosis, material selection, and repair or rehabilitation of concrete pavements and structures.

The Windows-based program is presented in three modules — diagnostics and materials selection deal with pavements and structures, while the repair portion deals only with pavements. The software is a menu-driven program, and the knowledge base contains recent information on concrete durability from various industry sources. Photographic images stored in the computer provide visual information about various types of concrete distress, and test methods and procedures. In addition to repair suggestions and referrals to field or laboratory testing, the software can also determine whether materials will meet regulations and guidelines.

The original HWYCON software and book are available together for only $35 from the Transportation Research Board (book code PC406). However, events are already in motion for an extensive update that will take about a year to complete, and AASHTO plans to include HWYCON as part of its package, AASHTOWare.

Corporate Web Site

Pavement design program

AASHTOWare DARWin 3.01 is from ERES Consultants, and the company promises it’s the most comprehensive and powerful pavement design program available. DARWin incorporates the methodology found in the AASHTO Guide for Design of Pavement Structures into a complete pavement design and analysis program for both initial design and rehabilitation.

The software performs a wide range of calculations, including complete life cycle cost analyses for each design alternative. Other features include on-the-fly unit conversion, enhanced project file management, and enhanced graphical outputs. DARWin 3.01 is designed for Windows 95 and NT operating systems.

Corporate Web Site

Aggregate information

Readers were very interested in the National Aggregates Association’s publications, The NAA Insider, a monthly newsletter, and The NAA Aggregate State Watch, a quarterly roundup of state regulatory and legislative trends. The NAA keeps its members informed on all matters affecting aggregate producers, large or small.

Corporate Web Site

Magnesium chloride

Three magnesium chloride products garnered the most attention from readers in our June spotlight on dust control. Dus-Top is Reilly Industries’ highly concentrated brine for long-term control. Dust-Off, from Cargill Salt, comes ready to apply and roads can be used immediately after application. And DustGard from Dust Chem provides up to 46% reduction in total annual maintenance costs compared to untreated roads.

Cargill Salt Web Site Reilly Ind. Web Site
Dust Chem Phone (801) 966-4703

Equipment protection

Interest was strong in a trio of products from Rhomar Industries, all made to protect equipment or property from aggressive liquid deicers, salt, or graffiti.

Met-Con 3000 is a clear — allowing you to see surface conditions and numbers or information — encapsulant that protects painted, bare, metal, or concrete surfaces.

Neuro-wash is a salt and chloride neutralizer used to pressure wash equipment.

And Tagster is a graffiti emulsifier that re-liquefies and lets you easily remove the work of vandals, including spray paint, inks, dyes, grease pens, cosmetics, and other damaging material.

Phone (417) 866-5592

HMA textbook

Readers wanting more information on hot-mix asphalt chose an expanded and updated edition of Hot Mix Asphalt Materials, Mixture Design and Construction published by the National Center for Asphalt Technology and available from the National Asphalt Pavement Association. The second edition contains new sections covering stone matrix asphalt, Superpave performance-grade asphalt binders, Superpave mix design, and asphalt modifiers. Updated material includes the latest information on asphalt refining, aggregates, characterization of asphalt mixtures, equipment and construction, performance and distress, and maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of HMA. The most complete book of its type, the hardcover sells for $60, but quantity discounts are available from NAPA.

Corporate Web Site

Calcium chloride

Hungering for more dust control information, readers responded to liquid and dry calcium chloride product information from three major suppliers. Included were the Dow Chemical Company’s LiquiDow 38% liquid and DowFlake 77-80% flake calcium chloride, Tetra Chemicals’ Roadmaster liquid and Tetra 94 dry calcium chloride, and General Chemical’s liquid and flake products.

Dow Chemicals Web Site Tetra Chemicals Web Site
General Chemical Phone (973) 515-0900

Pavement mesh

On the Top 20 list for the second year in a row, Bayex’s GlasGrid is a high-strength, high-modulus, low-elongation, fiber glass mesh that is capable of turning crack stresses horizontally and dissipating the stress. Stronger than steel, the material offers more strength to fight reflective cracking.

Corporate Web Site

Guard rail systems

Readers asked for a 20-page brochure from Buffalo Specialty Products — now Trinity Industries, Inc. — that details the various components of the company’s roadside guard rail systems. Dimensions (in both U.S. and metric units) of major components, plus plan and elevation views of the assembled systems, are included with the information.

Traffic CD-ROM

The Traffic Graphics CD-ROM from Professional Traffic Graphics, Inc., gives you over 20,000 graphics for quality traffic control plans — all modifiable by simply dragging your mouse or retyping special text. The program runs on all standard PCs and laptops, and exchanges data with other software packages, Internet software, CAD, and mapping programs, among others.

Any computer literate person can go through the supplied training disk and be producing drawings in less than four hours. The program is based on CorelDRAW, and a free CorelDRAW training CD-ROM is included.

Corporate Web Site

Lignosulfonates

Another dust control alternative, Tembind road products are derived from the lignin that naturally binds fibers together to give trees and plants their firmness. Studies have shown that lignosulfonates are not harmful to humans, animals, or the environment. The product’s natural adhesive property binds road particles together for a stronger surface. Tembind is available from Roadbind America (formerly Tembind America).

Corporate Web Site

Water-borne striping paint

Lead-free PervoStripe from Pervo Paint Co. incorporates the latest resin technology and is engineered to achieve optimum cure in lower temperatures and higher humidity, allowing streets to be marked and opened to traffic in less time. The company’s latest traffic marking product is PervoPlastic.

Corporate Web Site

Lighted safety vests

Since introducing a patented optical illumination technology last year, Personal Safetyware, Inc. has added new illuminated traffic vests, belts, and armbands — including the strong lime green several states are now requiring as a standard regulation. PSI’s technology provides a battery-powered (two AAs), high-intensity lighting system on the vest that is visible up to a mile away, and other applications include traffic triangles and barricade lights.

Corporate Web Site

Truck equipment guide

The 180-page Membership Roster & Product Directory from the National Truck Equipment Association lists over 1,400 companies that manufacture, distribute, install, sell, and repair commercial trucks, bodies, equipment, and accessories. It includes details on members and has a geographical cross-reference listing.

The book also cross references by product/service type and, as a primary buyer’s guide for commercial truck products, features brief histories of the truck body and equipment industry in its introduction.

Corporate Web Site

Crash barrier

Made from recycled truck tires and concrete, the Ramshield crash barrier from TerraMat Corporation is portable, reusable, and virtually indestructible. The manufacturer also says it takes impact with little or no recoil reaction or post-impact debris scatter.

Corporate Web Site

Concrete hardener

Rapid-1, a concrete hardening accelerator admixture from the Sika Corporation, develops early high strengths in concrete using common cement and aggregate. It allows easy placement and finishing of fresh concrete while maintaining normal set time, and is able to sustain traffic load or paving operations in under 6 hours.

Corporate Web Site

Personal safety wear

Work zone safety interest continues with two companies offering personal safety wear. Safety vests, coats, and jackets in fluorescent yellow or orange are the main product line for Safetyline by VanTech. Other company items include flame-retardant clothing and rainwear.

The M.L. Kishigo Manufacturing Company also has a complete line of lime and orange reflective workwear called Brite Threads that received plenty of attention during the year. Kishigo’s extensive regular line includes safety vests, flags, and warning devices.

M.L. Kishigo Mfg Web Site VanTech Web Site

Snow removal equipment

The only heavy-duty maintenance equipment to make the Top 20, Pro-Tech Sno Pushers will increase pushing capacity by up to 500%, according to manufacturer Pro-Tech Welding and Fabrication, and its attachment system allows for virtually instant connection to any machine. The company also has a FoldOut Sno Pusher that is up to 24.5-ft. wide in use, but only about 10-ft. wide when folded for transport.

Corporate Web Site