Understanding Asset Management Systems Utilized by Municipalities in Massachusetts

A MassDOT goal is to have an overall idea of the pavement condition of state and local roads in Massachusetts. This study cataloged the different pavement management systems (PMS) being used by municipalities, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), and Regional Planning Agencies (RPAs) throughout Massachusetts. A comprehensive literature review was performed. An internet-based survey was developed and administered to Massachusetts local/regional agencies. Some follow-up interviews were conducted. The potential for using a unified PMS software within the state was explored. The study compared 13 different PMS software programs currently being used in Massachusetts. Each has unique approaches to condition data collection. Each calculates distress/condition indices differently, thus the same condition data could yield different results when calculated using different software programs. The potential of using a unified PMS software for MPOs/RPAs in Massachusetts was explored. Vendors held virtual demonstrations of selected PMS software; there was no consensus on software preference reached. Overall, this study helps outline the existing PMS state of practice at the local and regional level in Massachusetts and identifies obstacles that lay ahead in achieving MassDOT\u2019s goal to have an overall idea of the pavement condition in Massachusetts, for both state and local roads

Improving the Long-term Condition of Pavements in Massachusetts and Determining Return on Investment: Implementing the AASHTO Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide\u2014PHASE II

The goal of this study was to develop an AASHTOWare\uae Pavement M-E user\u2019s manual and develop a local experimental plan and sampling template for Massachusetts. A stand-alone software manual was developed that provides a thorough step-by-step procedure on how to use the software. The manual guides users on how to generate the data, in particular, material properties and climatic and traffic data as they relate to local locations within the state of Massachusetts. A preliminary experimental and sampling plan for local verification/calibration of the distress functions and smoothness regression equations in the AASHTOWare\uae Pavement Mechanistic-Empirical Design was also developed. Finally, testing was conducted on typical plant-produced mixtures sampled from across Massachusetts in an attempt to accelerate future phases of this research. This report outlines the work conducted in phase two of a four phase larger research project aimed at implementing the AASHTO Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) in Massachusetts

Some factors affecting dairy she-camel performance

Abstract In order to determine the effect of some factors, as different levels of energy and protein, milking interval, lactation stage, and lactation rank on she-camel performance after weaning of camel-calves, 20 lactating shecamels were divided into four groups, 5 animals each, according to age and weight at last parturition. Groups had randomly allocated to one of four treatments diets. Group A received diet with 13% Crude Protein (CP) and 2.4 MCal Metabolisable Energy (ME). Group B received diet with 13% CP and 3.0 MCal ME. Group C and D received diet with 15% CP and 2.4, 3.0 MCal ME respectively. Diets contain 35/65 (roughage/concentrate, respectively). After 14 days of adaptation period, individual feed offered and orts had been recorded, daily and continued up to entire experimental period of 10 months. Milk yield was recorded two milking time from three consecutive days. The results show that diet (B) gave higher milk yield (MY), Fat Corrected Milk (FCM), Energy Corrected Milk (ECM) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) 8.32, 11.77, 7.47, and 1.38 respectively. Diet (A) has higher fat % content when comparing with the other diets. Treatment did not affect milk composition except on fat and ash percentage. Milk secretion rate for 10 hours milking interval "evening milking" was higher comparing with 14 hours milking interval "morning milking" 397, 353 g/h respectively. Maximum MY, FCM and ECM were at mid lactation. In late lactation MY, FCM, ECM decreased. Higher milk productivity was at 3rd and 6th season of lactation

Evaluation of effects of deicing additives on properties of asphalt mixtures

This paper summarizes the results of an experimental study to evaluate the effects of two deicing additives, Verglimit and PlusRide, on the properties of asphalt mixtures in terms of their resistance to rutting, low-temperature cracking, and moisture damage. Verglimit consists mainly of calcium chloride and a small amount of sodium hydroxide. PlusRide is derived from granulating whole tires and tire buffings. These deicers, which are added to the mixture, are currently being used, but their effects on mixture properties are not well established. Mixtures were cured for different periods of time, and the following tests were performed: static and repeated-load indirect tension tests and incremental static-dynamic creep tests. In addition, the VESYS computer program was used to predict the performance of pavements with deicing additives. On the basis of the findings of this study, it appears that Verglimit improves the temperature susceptibility of asphalt concrete and increases its susceptibility to moisture damage because the particles absorb moisture, but that it decreases visual stripping. PlusRide reduced the stiffness of the mixture, thereby increasing its resistance to low-temperature cracking but decreasing its resistance to rutting. The VESYS analysis also predicted that pavements with PlusRide could have a rutting problem. Finally, it was observed that PlusRide reduced the amount of visual stripping by resisting swelling

Application of waterjet cutting for pothole repair

A study was conducted to determine the feasibility of utilizing high pressure waterjet cutting technology as an infrastructure maintenance tool. The influence of waterjet cutting parameters, compaction technique, repair methods, and environmental factors on the behavior of asphalt pavement materials have been systematically evaluated. Results indicate that the waterjet can be effectively used in repair operations for asphalt pavements. Also, the waterjet has a distinct advantage over other conventional mechanical cutting methods since it does not damage pavement materials immediately below and adjacent to a deteriorated region. Based on this study, a field portable prototype cutting unit has been designed