Staying Current: Why Highway Department Supervisors Must Embrace Lifelong Learning

April 27, 2025
Listed in Administration

Highway departments play a critical role in the safety, efficiency, and upkeep of our communities. But in too many cases, particularly in small towns, the methods used to maintain roads, drainage systems, signage, and other infrastructure have gone unchanged for decades. The phrase “we’ve always done it this way” still echoes through garages and town barns, often without anyone asking whether the old way is still the right way. This mindset can hold departments back. In an indu…continue

Artificial Intelligence and Video Detection

April 24, 2025
Listed in Highway Safety

*Disclaimer: This is not a paid product placement. The company Miovision is mentioned in this article solely based on my experience with their product. I cannot make a comparison between them and other companies offering similar products. Artificial Intelligence Behind the Wheel: How Video Detection is Quietly Easing Traffic Jams Ever been stuck at a red light with no other cars in sight and thought, “Why am I waiting here?” Or cruised through an intersection that always used to back…continue

Woven vs. Non-Woven Geotextile Fabrics

April 24, 2025
Listed in Stormwater Management

If you’re in the world of stormwater management, you’ve probably heard of geotextile fabrics. These unsung heroes of infrastructure help stabilize soil, manage erosion, and keep things flowing...literally. But not all geotextiles are created equal. The two main types - woven and non-woven - serve different purposes, and using the wrong one can cause more headaches than solutions. Let’s break down the differences and when to use which. Woven Geotextile: Strength and Separation W…continue

Why Municipalities Must Keep an Accurate Local Road Inventory

April 23, 2025
Listed in Administration

Every year, municipalities are required to submit updates to their local road inventory to the state - and for good reason. While it may feel like a mundane paperwork task, this inventory plays a vital role in everything from road funding to infrastructure planning, at both the state and federal level. Let’s break it down. Why Keep a Road Inventory? At its core, a road inventory is just a detailed record of every public road in a municipality; paved and unpaved, owned and maintained by the…continue

Speed Bumps Don’t Belong on 30 MPH Roads

April 19, 2025
Listed in Highway Safety

It’s not uncommon for concerned residents—especially those with young children—to contact their local highway superintendent with a simple request: “Can we get a speed bump on our street to slow traffic down?” It’s an understandable concern. Everyone wants safer streets, especially in residential neighborhoods where kids might be playing nearby. But when the posted speed limit is already 30 MPH—which is usually the lowest speed permitted by state law out…continue