2018 Far West County Judges & Commissioners Assn. Conference September 11-14, 2018 LOW VOLUME ROADS The Backbone of Your County Road System County Commissioners continue to face ever-increasing challenges in providing county road networks that meet the transportation needs of commerce and industry while maintaining a reliable and safe system for their county residents. This session will provide a discussion of these demands and will focus on ways to address increased traffic flow, safety of road users and damage to county infrastructure due to heavy truck traffic, especially on low volume roads. Presenter... Don W. Bonifay, PE Bonifay Engineering EU XXX#### TR Page 1 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Existing Roads Limited capacity designs or no design Pickups, cars, occasional loaded trailers 1-4 New Challenges More traffic Frequent heavy loads; overweight loads; oversized loads Increased traffic counts 1-5 New Challenges Unfamiliar drivers Urban-like expectations Commuters Truck drivers Higher speeds 1-6 EU XXX#### TR Page 2 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Results Damage to: 1-7 Roads... 1-8 Roads... 1-9 EU XXX#### TR Page 3 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Roads... 1-10 Bridges... Services... EU XXX#### TR Page 4 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Safety of your citizens... 1-14 1-15 EU XXX#### TR Page 5 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Low Volume Roads < 300 vehicles per day Paved or unpaved Mostly local traffic Low to moderate speeds All counties have low volume roads 16 Low Volume Roads Less than 300 vehicles per day 17 Low Volume Road Paved or unpaved 1-18 EU XXX#### TR Page 6 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Low Volume Road Mostly local traffic 1-19 Low Volume Road Low to Moderate Speeds 1-20 1-21 EU XXX#### TR Page 7 As of XX/XX/XXXX
1-23 1-24 EU XXX#### TR Page 8 As of XX/XX/XXXX
1-25 1-26 EU XXX#### TR Page 9 As of XX/XX/XXXX
1-28 1-30 EU XXX#### TR Page 10 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Low Volume Roads Unimproved Roads Gravel Roads Caliche Roads 1-31 Gravel or Caliche Roads Maintenance of Low Volume Roads 33 EU XXX#### TR Page 11 As of XX/XX/XXXX
34 Gravel Roads Maintenance and Design Ken Skorseth Ali A. Selim, Ph.D., P.E. Acknowledgements: The graphic illustrations were made possible through the assistance of SDSU graduate student Muhammed S. Ali. The Office of University Relations at South Dakota State University put the Manual into its final form. 35 Road Materials: Gravel Base Caliche 36 EU XXX#### TR Page 12 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Road Materials 37 Unimproved Roads Unimproved Roads Existing Dirt or Gravel EU XXX#### TR Page 13 As of XX/XX/XXXX
1-40 Gravel Roads 1-41 Caliche Roads 1-42 EU XXX#### TR Page 14 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Pit-run Material 1-43 Caliche Roads Crushed and graded material 1-44 Quality Material Right blend of stone, sand, fines Stone should be fractured Fines must have plasticity Keep the gravel blended and compacted 45 EU XXX#### TR Page 15 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Quality Material Buy quality materials o Good gradation o Good plasticity compacts well o Produces tightly bound surface Lessens problems with o Wash boarding o Rutting 46 Using Poor Material Cheapest Material Not Always Cost Effective 47 Using Good Gravel Good Surface Material 48 EU XXX#### TR Page 16 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Material Specifications Assure quality o Adhere to TxDOT specifications o Sample and Test 49 1-50 Routine Maintenance 51 EU XXX#### TR Page 17 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Routine Maintenance ROADWAY MOWING BRIDGES RAILROAD CROSSINGS CATTLEGUARDS INTERSECTIONS DRIVEWAYS CURVES 52 ROADWAY 53 Cross Section Design 3 basic items: o Crowned driving surface o Sloped shoulder area o Ditch to carry run-off water The loss of any of these items may result in gravel road failure 54 EU XXX#### TR Page 18 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Road Cross Section 55 CROWN 56 Crown Most controversial aspect of road maintenance How much crown is enough? Can there be too much crown? What is recommended? 57 EU XXX#### TR Page 19 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Inadequate Crown Inadequate Crown Water on road surface Water = gravel road failure Excessive Crown Drive on center of road Safety issue on slick roads 60 EU XXX#### TR Page 20 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Excessive Crown Excessive Crown Well Crowned 63 EU XXX#### TR Page 21 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Crown Optimal crown is ¼ to ½ inch fall per foot of roadway cross slope That is approximately 4% grade 4 5 inches on a 20 wide road 64 Crown should be near ½ inch per ft (or 4%) Example: 24 ft roadway should have approx. 5 inches of crown. Well Crowned 66 EU XXX#### TR Page 22 As of XX/XX/XXXX
SHOULDERS 67 Road Shoulder Supports edge of roadway Safety area for drivers to regain control of vehicle Carries water away from the road surface to the ditch 68 Good Shoulder Design 69 EU XXX#### TR Page 23 As of XX/XX/XXXX
1-70 Road Shoulder Must maintain shape to be effective Must meet the roadway at the same elevation Low shoulders = drop-off hazard High shoulders prevent proper drainage 71 1-72 EU XXX#### TR Page 24 As of XX/XX/XXXX
High Shoulder Situation 73 The Next Challenge High Shoulders! High Shoulders cause Secondary Ditches 75 EU XXX#### TR Page 25 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Secondary Ditches Prohibits drainage from roadway to the ditch In level terrain will cause softening of sub base In rolling terrain will erode shoulder and disperse gravel 76 Causes of High Shoulders Improper Maintenance Losing material from toe of moldboard Cutting too deep at shoulder line Excessive vegetation 77 Causes of High Shoulders Traffic contributions High speed traffic whips material to the shoulder Heavy weight traffic will rut the shoulder and cause sub base to shove upward 78 EU XXX#### TR Page 26 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Reshaping High Shoulder 79 Recovering and Spreading Shoulder Material Easily done if little or no vegetation Extended moldboard draws material in Usually requires multiple passes Recovered material used for road surface 80 Windrows Maintenance or inventory material Used to rework or resurface roadway Must be minimal Must not hinder traffic or drainage 81 EU XXX#### TR Page 27 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Acceptable Windrow 82 Excessive Windrow 83 DITCHES 84 EU XXX#### TR Page 28 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Ditches 85 Ditch Maintenance Ditches MUST be clear Remove eroded soil or debris Motor Grader operations Support equipment 86 Proper Drainage 87 EU XXX#### TR Page 29 As of XX/XX/XXXX
No Shoulders No Crown No Ditches Identify Maintenance Issues 88 Well Maintained Crown, Shoulder and Ditch 89 MOWING 90 EU XXX#### TR Page 30 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Benefits of Mowing Dense vegetation hinders shoulder maintenance Mow as needed Cost of mowing offset by reduced maintenance of roadways Mowed shoulders produce a safer roadway for the motoring public 91 Mowed Shoulders 92 Mowed Shoulders 93 EU XXX#### TR Page 31 As of XX/XX/XXXX
BRIDGES 94 Bridge Approaches Gradually remove crown as you approach the bridge Road should match bridge deck height Keep pot holes filled DO NOT push gravel onto the bridge deck 95 Keep Potholes filled 96 EU XXX#### TR Page 32 As of XX/XX/XXXX
97 Pics of other bridges / edges with road Wooden and concrete 1-98 RAILROAD CROSSINGS 99 EU XXX#### TR Page 33 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Railroad Crossings 100 Rail Crossings Eliminate crown on approach and exit Keep material off of rails Do not strike rails with equipment Mindful of train traffic Always contact RR 101 CATTLEGUARDS 102 EU XXX#### TR Page 34 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Cattleguards 103 104 105 EU XXX#### TR Page 35 As of XX/XX/XXXX
106 1-107 Cattleguards Eliminate crown 50-100 feet away Road to match grade of cattle guard Material never to be dumped into guard Hand work often required 108 EU XXX#### TR Page 36 As of XX/XX/XXXX
INTERSECTIONS 109 Intersections At controlled intersections: o through road retains crown o side roads match the edge At uncontrolled intersections: o eliminate crown from both roads At intersections with paved roads: o eliminate crown o gravel matches the paved edge Pics of intersections 1-111 EU XXX#### TR Page 37 As of XX/XX/XXXX
DRIVEWAYS 112 Driveways 113 Driveways Public road crown has priority Driveway entrance to match road grade Poor driveway installation should be addressed 114 EU XXX#### TR Page 38 As of XX/XX/XXXX
1-115 TEXAS TRANSPORTATION CODE TITLE 6. ROADWAYS SUBTITLE C. COUNTY ROADS AND BRIDGES CHAPTER 255. COUNTY REGULATION OF SIGHT DISTANCES 1-116 CHAPTER 255 Authority Notice to Owner of obstruction Hearing Assessment Compensation for loss of value 1-117 EU XXX#### TR Page 39 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Definition In this chapter, "sight distance" means the unimpaired view of a motorist at or near the intersection of a road with another road or with an alley, driveway, or another way intended for vehicular traffic. 1-118 County Regulatory Authority (a) The commissioners court of a county by order may regulate the sight distance for an intersection that involves a county road and that is located outside the limits of a municipality. The commissioners court may: (1) define the appropriate sight distance; (2) prohibit an obstruction of the sight distance by any vegetation, loose earth, or other item except a building or other structure affixed to the ground, if the obstruction is a traffic hazard; and (3) provide for the removal and disposition of an obstruction maintained in violation of an order adopted under this section. 1-119 Driveway Permits 1-120 EU XXX#### TR Page 40 As of XX/XX/XXXX
COUNTY REGULATION OF SIGHT DISTANCES Driveway Permits: Residential Commercial / Industrial 1-121 CURVES 122 Super Elevation 123 EU XXX#### TR Page 41 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Banking a Curve Outer edge higher than inner edge Road surface straight slope Crown transition into curve Crown transition out of curve 124 Banked Curve 1-125 Negative Banked Curve This photo shows lack of superelevation which can lead to accidents. Can lead to accidents 126 EU XXX#### TR Page 42 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Banked Curves Require constant maintenance Gravel displaces up hill Go out of shape easily Allows for higher speeds 127 Banked Curves SUBGRADE CONCERNS 129 EU XXX#### TR Page 43 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Weak or Soft Subgrade 130 Subgrade Repair Excavate and remove poor base material Replace with proper material Place fabric or grid Stabilize base Addition of large aggregate 131 Oversized Aggregate Bed 132 EU XXX#### TR Page 44 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Drainage 133 Drainage 134 Poor Drainage Weakens sub base material Softens traffic surface Roadway will deteriorate 135 EU XXX#### TR Page 45 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Weakened Base 136 Deteriorating Travel Surface 137 Culverts 138 EU XXX#### TR Page 46 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Culverts Install properly Design for anticipated flow Maintain to allow proper flow Inspect periodically 139 1-140 Clear Debris 141 EU XXX#### TR Page 47 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Too close to road Low Water Crossing 1-143 Gravel Road Rehab 144 EU XXX#### TR Page 48 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Road Distress due to weather events and overloading 145 Roadway Reshaping Employ proper equipment Motorgrader Compactor Reshape entire cross section Crown Shoulder Ditch 146 Successful Rehab of Roadway 147 EU XXX#### TR Page 49 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Wash Boarding Corrugation wash boarding Severe corrugation can cause loss of vehicle control Three primary causes Driving habits of motorists Lack of moisture Poor quality of gravel / base 148 Washboarding 1-149 Caused by Traffic 150 EU XXX#### TR Page 50 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Caused by Operator 151 Evidence of Excessive Speed While Blading 152 Worker Safety 153 EU XXX#### TR Page 51 As of XX/XX/XXXX
High-Visibility Vests Don t Text & Drive 1-155!!! Presenter... Don W. Bonifay, PE Bonifay Engineering EU XXX#### TR Page 52 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Don W. Bonifay, P.E. Bonifay Engineering (432) 230-6815 db@bonspot.com 1-157 EU XXX#### TR Page 53 As of XX/XX/XXXX
What Can We do? Design for greater loads Look to TxDOT for examples Can t always rebuild entire roads When rebuilding segments or sections Look for subgrade problems Solve drainage problems Increase base thickness EU XXX#### TR Page 54 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Widen Roads Be aware greater speeds Turns and curves Roadway widths Intersections and Driveways Line of Sight concerns EU XXX#### TR Page 55 As of XX/XX/XXXX
1-166 1-167 1-168 EU XXX#### TR Page 56 As of XX/XX/XXXX
1-169 1-170 1-171 EU XXX#### TR Page 57 As of XX/XX/XXXX
1-172 1-173 1-174 EU XXX#### TR Page 58 As of XX/XX/XXXX
1-175 1-176 1-177 EU XXX#### TR Page 59 As of XX/XX/XXXX
1-178 1-179 1-180 EU XXX#### TR Page 60 As of XX/XX/XXXX
1-181 1-182 1-183 EU XXX#### TR Page 61 As of XX/XX/XXXX
Texas Transportation Code Title 6. Roadways Subtitle C. County Roads and Bridges CHAPTER 255. COUNTY REGULATION OF SIGHT DISTANCES CHAPTER 255 COUNTY REGULATION OF SIGHT DISTANCES Authority Notice to Owner of obstruction Hearing Assessment Compensation for loss of value CHAPTER 255 COUNTY REGULATION OF SIGHT DISTANCES Definition in this Chapter sight distance means the unimpaired view of a motorist at or near the intersection of a road with another road or with an alley, driveway, or another way intended for vehicular traffic. EU XXX#### TR Page 62 As of XX/XX/XXXX
CHAPTER 255 COUNTY REGULATION OF SIGHT DISTANCES Regulatory Authority (a) Court may regulate sight distance for an intersection that involves a county road outside the limits of a municipality. Court may: (1) Define the appropriate sight distance; (2) Prohibit an obstruction by any vegetation, loose earth, or other item except a building if the obstruction is a traffic hazard; and (3) Provide for the removal and disposition of an obstruction maintained in violation of an order 1-188 1-189 EU XXX#### TR Page 63 As of XX/XX/XXXX
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