The Superintendent's Desk

Municipal Road Management Insights and Highway Department Best Practices

Are Recycled Materials a Viable Option in Road Repairs?

Are Recycled Materials a Viable Option in Road Repairs?

May 28, 2025
Listed in Road Maintenance

As the costs of raw materials and environmental concerns rise, many municipalities and highway departments are turning to recycled materials as a potential solution for road repair and construction. But are these materials truly a viable alternative to traditional methods? What Are Recycled Road Materials? Recycled road materials typically include reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), ground tire rubber, and even glass or plastic-based additives. These materials ar…continue

Chip Sealing, Microsurfacing, and Other Alternatives to Repaving

Chip Sealing, Microsurfacing, and Other Alternatives to Repaving

May 28, 2025
Listed in Road Maintenance

When it comes to road maintenance, full-depth repaving is often seen as the gold standard, but it comes with a gold-plated price tag. Fortunately, municipalities have a toolbox of cost-effective, durable surface treatments that can prolong pavement life, improve safety, and preserve driving comfort without breaking the bank. Among these are chip sealing, microsurfacing, slurry sealing, and fog sealing, each with its own strengths and ideal use cases. Chip Sealing Chip sealing involves spraying a…continue

Understanding the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices: Why It Matters

Understanding the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices: Why It Matters

May 27, 2025
Listed in Highway Safety

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is the national standard for traffic signs, road surface markings, and signals in the United States. Maintained by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the MUTCD serves as the backbone of roadway safety and consistency, guiding how information is conveyed to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians across all 50 states. What Does the MUTCD Cover? The MUTCD is a comprehensive document that governs: Traffic Signs: Regulatory (e.g., stop signs),…continue

Choosing the Right Asset Management Software for Your Highway Department

Choosing the Right Asset Management Software for Your Highway Department

May 24, 2025
Listed in Asset Management

Selecting the right asset management software can be the difference between a well-run highway department and one that constantly struggles with inefficiencies, lost records, and reactive maintenance. But with so many software options available, ranging from simple platforms to enterprise-level systems,how do you know which one is the right fit for your municipality? It all comes down to knowing your department’s size, needs, and technical capacity. For Small to Mid-Sized Municipalities: K…continue

Tracking Road Maintenance with Asset Management Software

Tracking Road Maintenance with Asset Management Software

May 24, 2025
Listed in Asset Management

For years, highway departments have relied on handwritten logs, memory, and word-of-mouth to track maintenance work. But as roads age, crews rotate, and infrastructure grows more complex, it becomes harder to keep track of what was done, when, where, and why. That’s where asset management software steps in—and it’s easier to use than you think. Easy to Use, Powerful in Practice Modern asset management software is designed with simplicity in mind. If your team can post a photo t…continue


Highway Department Asset Management System