NJDOT to Host Second Annual Research Showcase
Most motorists don’t think about the concrete barriers on many of New Jersey’s state highways. They know the barriers separate opposing lanes of traffic and keep it flowing in a safe and orderly manner. Not much attention is paid to the foundations that support our highway signs either. The public knows the signs are posted to help them navigate around the state, but may not be aware that if they are hit they break away from the anchors to purposely mitigate damage from the impact. Both of these safety innovations – the concrete "Jersey" barriers that are now used on roads throughout the world and break-away sign supports -- were researched and developed by employees of New Jersey Department of Transportation.
Today, the NJDOT’s Division of Research and Technology is at the forefront of turning transportation problems into solutions. Along with its partners at New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rutgers University, University Transportation Research Center and the Federal Highway Administration, the Division is spearheading research in the Garden State on transportation applications for highway operations, safety and infrastructure.
On Wednesday, November 8, the NJDOT will host its second annual Research Showcase at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. The major emphasis of the showcase is to familiarize the public with the department’s on-going research and to explain how its work translates into practical uses. Research displays will be located in the lobby of the Performing Arts Center.
There are currently over 100 active transportation research studies underway in New Jersey, including testing of asphalt and concrete for uses on our roads and developing intelligent transportation systems to keep traffic flowing with minimal inconvenience.
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