Precision is the key to successful winter maintenance

October 29, 2020

If you’ve driven in Iowa (or any other cold-weather state) in the winter, you’ve probably noticed that snowplows are equipped to spread salt in the form of either solid crystals or brine to help break up snow and ice. New calibration tools are helping Iowa DOT staff get their equipment ready for winter. The tools assure the correct amount of material is being applied.

Tina Greenfield of the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Maintenance Bureau said, “With decades of experience under our belts and data to back up our decisions, highway maintenance supervisors and technicians know the roads well and have tried and true methods to keeps those roads as safe as possible when winter weather hits.”

Personnel updates for Oct. 2 to Oct. 15, 2020

October 26, 2020

Information supplied by the Bureau of Budget and Business Systems

Message Monday - Driving impaired- the wrong kind of scared

October 26, 2020

Although there might not be quite as many ghosts and goblins running around your neighborhood this Halloween, there are still plenty of frightening drivers out on the road. Both Iowa and nationwide statistics show at least one-third of all fatal crashes involve an impaired driver.

Defensive driving course gains Iowa DOT National Safety Council Award

October 23, 2020

While Iowa is a small state, our employees put a lot of miles on state-owned vehicles. Not only is brushing up on defensive driving skills an important way to help you stay safe behind the wheel, but it is also now required by the Iowa Department of Administrative Services for all employees who have access to Iowa DOT vehicles or who drive their own vehicles 5,000 miles or more for work each year.

Iowa finds new tools to control stormwater erosion and sediment at construction sites

October 21, 2020

At the Iowa Department of Transportation, the preservation of limited natural resources is one element we look at when planning construction projects. When we’re constructing or moving a road, we often need to move earth. As good stewards of the land, we take precautions to assure that the disturbed ground does not erode, or the sediment wash away only to end up in another area.

Message Monday - You can't have too many friends, except in a car

October 19, 2020

The attitudes and behaviors of your teen’s friends can often have a big impact on your child. Most parents of teens recognize that this “friendly” influence might not be as positive as it could be, especially when your child is learning to drive.

The beginning of a child’s journey to become a driver usually includes a parent or guardian in the vehicle to teach the rules of the road. Once the teen gains the freedom to drive on their own your influence may still be felt but can be minimized by others who are riding along.

Message Monday - If you could use your blinker, that'd be great...

October 12, 2020

Not a turn signal user? You’re not alone. A 2012 Society of Automotive Engineers study based on observing the actions of 12,000 drivers on public roads found that nearly half neglected to signal before making a lane change.

Since the technology of the turn signal hasn’t changed much since it was patented in 1925 by Edgar A. Walz, Jr., the reason why people don’t signal likely has little to do with not knowing how to flick the lever. So why don’t some people signal their intentions behind the wheel?

Personnel updates for Sept. 18 to Oct. 1, 2020

October 9, 2020

Information supplied by the Bureau of Budget and Business Systems

Message Monday - Rushing is a safe choice in football, not on the highway

October 5, 2020

Having a fleet-footed, sure-handed ball carrier is an asset to any football team. That speed on the ground can win the game for your team. Speed on the road is another thing. If a football player fumbles on the field, the risks are not life-threatening, but a speeding driver who makes a mistake could endanger many.

Many research studies have shown that even small increases in speed significantly extend the distance it takes to stop, which increases the likelihood and severity of crashes.

Fall maintenance conference goes virtual

October 2, 2020

“Adjustment” might be a great word for 2020. Due to the global pandemic, several of our business practices have been modified to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our employees. One of these modifications is moving the annual fall maintenance conference to an online format with the theme of “Adapting to Changing Times.”

Tina Greenfield of the Maintenance Bureau said, “Typically the fall maintenance conference is a place where all of our highway maintenance supervisors and others in garage leadership positions get together to discuss common issues, listen to speakers present on relevant topics, and get a look at equipment displays. This year we’ll be able to do two out of those three, but in a virtual format.”