GETTING NEW PRODUCTS APPROVED By WILLIAM T. SUNLEY, Engineer of Local Roads and Streets

You, as a municipal official, have probably at times been contacted by individuals promoting new products or materials that they claim solve problems on your roads and streets. You may even feel that some of these new products or materials have a significant value and should be used. On the other hand, you may feel that others have little or no value at all.

IDOT keeps abreast of new developments in products, materials, and procedures, and encourages the introduction of new ideas. This is done through the Illinois Highway Development Council (Council), which was established in 1963. The Council provides IDOT's Director of Highways with competent advice on the value of new products that are offered or developed for use in the highway field. This group, through its recommendations, also guides further evaluation and development of new items. The Council acts as a clearinghouse where proposals of manufacturers, producers, and others promoting new items for highway use can be reviewed and evaluated.

The Illinois Highway Development Council is composed of ten people which includes a Deputy Director of Highways, a representative from each of six bureaus within IDOT's Division of Highways, two districts, and the Division of Aeronautics. Other representatives are called upon for advice as the need arises.

The chairman and secretary of the Council is Mr. Bill Wade, Engineer of Products Evaluation in IDOT's Bureau of Materials and Physical Research. The Council is also supported by the Product Evaluation Unit, which decides what products to evaluate, conducts a pre-investigation of each product taken to the Council, prepares reports on product evaluations, and prepares any specifications or standards changes necessary to get approved products into use.

Before a new product is brought to the Council, it must undergo a screening process. The Preliminary Information For Product Evaluation Form (Form R/D-1) is required for all product evaluations and is the basic source of information for product screening. This form is designed to show pertinent information regarding the product and is completed by the vendor.

The Council meets a minimum of three times per year. The specific duties of the Council at these meetings are:

1. Review and evaluate new materials, products, and procedures that are proposed to the Illinois Division of Highways for use in the highway program.

2. On the basis of review and evaluation of new items, recommend appropriate action to be taken by the Division of Highways, including: (a) immediate adoption; (b) trial usage for further evaluation; (c) additional review, development, or research by the Division of Highways; (d) reference back to initiator for additional information; and (e) rejection.

3. Encourage development and introduction into the highway field of new and improved products, materials, and processes.

Following are some of the new products that are either currently being tested or recently approved by the Council that may be of interest to you:

— A new sewer pipe lining material that is manufactured in a folded shape and available in five different diameters and two different standard dimension ratios. Some of the claimed advantages for this product are minimal excavation, elimination of joints, improved flow due to reduced friction, reduced maintenance, corrosion prevention, structural enhancement, and expe-

December 1993 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 33

dient construction. Installed costs range from $35-$55 per lineal foot depending on the diameter and length.

— A full-depth, precast concrete railroad grade crossing surface. This crossing surface shows promise because of easy installation and dismantling in case of an emergency repair of the crossing. It provides a smooth ride due to resilient rubber pads bearing directly on the ties. This cross is also competitively priced with full-depth rubber surfaces currently approved.

— A machine-vision vehicle detection system to be used for vehicle detection at signalized intersections. This feature includes video cameras mounted on mast arms that would replace the present detector loop method of monitoring vehicles. It is claimed to also delete or reduce detector amplifiers, lead-in cable, conduit, handholes and junction boxes, and traffic control.

— A precast concrete interlocking erosion control system, made up of blocks and filter fabric. The system is claimed to be resistant to freeze-thaw cycles, easy to install and maintain, and is aesthetically pleasing. This product is proposed as an alternate to riprap, paved ditches, and fabric form.

If you would like information about these or other products which have been evaluated by the Council, you may contact Mr. Wade's office at 217/782-6734.

The next time you are approached by an individual promoting a new product or material, ask them if it has been reviewed and/or approved by the Council. If it has not, we recommend that you have them contact your District Engineer's office or Mr. Wade's office for a Preliminary Information For Product Evaluation Form. Until a product has been evaluated and approved by the Council, it cannot be used at any location where MET funds are being utilized. Remember, in order to get the best possible products and materials on our roads and streets, we need your help. •

Page 34 / Illinois Municipal Review / December 1993