RFP Solic Research Effective a Problem The Ohio berm com This ...

Ohio Department of Transportation
Office of Statewide Planningg & Research
Research Sectionn
Research Request for Proposal
Fiscal Year 20144
RFP Solicitation Number: 2014-13 (Repost)
Research
Title:
Effective and Safe Berm Compaction for Shoulder Maintenance
Problem Statement:
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) currently uses a variety
of methods when dealing
with
berm compaction for shoulder maintenance. One method is to use a loader dump truck’s right rearr tires.
This method may help with berm compaction, but is limited by the total weight carried by the dump truck.
An additional method has been to
use a 6 ton
(or greater) roller for compaction. Safety issues have
developedd with the use
of the rollerr near the edge of pavement/shoulder.
In order to effectively compact
the berm material, the
full width of
the roller should be placed on the berm. In many
cases, this is not
possible and the roller is placed on both the pavement and thee berm. This situation can cause the roller to
become unstable, resulting in rollover issues.
ODOT is looking for an effective, safe and cost
effective method for ourr district maintenance offices to
perform berm placement. This purpose of this research is to investigate alternative materials and methods
for compaction of the berm/shoulde
r including safety and costt effectiveness.
Goals and Objectives:
Improved Safety
Material Evaluation
Evaluate on a safety edge project
Reduced life cycle costs (time, material, labor)
Longer lasting berms
Proposed
Research:
The objective of this research is to conduct an analysis of materials, equipment and placement operation
for berm material to optimize the quality, cost and
safety of thee work.
ODOT anticipates the following outline of tasks to
be performed:
1. Literature review of existing
research.
2. Review of current state of practice for materials, equipment and placement and submission of a
matrix outlining
the findings.
3. Determination
of the composition and methods of the trial sectionss to be placed.
4. Determination
of the location and lengths
of trial sections.
5. Development of evaluation and/or testing
procedure ncluding analysis of cost, performance,
and
improved safety.
6. Placement of trial sections.
7. Evaluation and/or testing of
trial sections.
ODOT RFP 2014-13
REPOSTED: 5/21/133
Page
1 of 3

Proposals should include a comprehensive scope incorporating the tasks noted above and all items listed
below.
Trial sections should include evaluation of current berm placement equipment as well as
innovative placement equipment such as the KTL Fabrication LLC, Berm Roller/Tamper
equipment. Currently, ODOT does not own any alternate berm compaction equipment.
Preliminary analysis conducted by ODOT personnel has indicated that this type of equipment
may meet the department’s needs; however, more in-depth analysis is needed prior to
purchasing. The researcher will be responsible for conducting an analysis of units currently
available on the market and providing a recommendation to ODOT on whether or not a unit
should be purchased and, if determined appropriate, which unit to consider for purchase.
A preliminary cost/benefit analysis and summary of advantages and disadvantages of each unit
researched must be provided with the recommendation. Consideration should also be given to
the amount of training required to operate the unit. ODOT will choose which proposed equipment
to evaluate in the trial sections.
It is anticipated that trial sections should include a prevalently used Item 617 berm aggregate
source that is placed with and without an asphalt emulsion for stabilization, recycled asphalt
pavement (RAP), and additional berm options proposed by the researcher. It is not anticipated
that more than five berm material types would be evaluated.
It is anticipated that ODOT will provide three trial section locations to evaluate each
material/placement combination. Trial sections will be chosen by ODOT to evaluate different
geometric conditions and safety edge pavements.
Provide an interim report, within 6 weeks of the contract start date, summarizing the findings from
tasks 1 and 2 above. Included in the interim report must be recommendations on the potential
purchase of an alternate berm compaction unit. ODOT will review the recommendations and
determine whether or not to proceed with the purchase. If it is decided to purchase a unit, the
researcher will be responsible for purchasing the unit and turning it over to ODOT immediately.
The contract/budget will be adjusted as necessary to permit the purchase. Note, the researcher
should be prepared to either provide or arrange for training of ODOT staff on the operation and
maintenance of the selected unit. If it is decided not to purchase a unit, ODOT will review the
scope of work with the researcher and determine whether or not to conclude the project or
continue it as an evaluation of the traditional methods. Modifications to the scope of work and
budget may be made at this time as appropriate.
NOTE: For the purposes of developing a proposal for this RFP, costs for alternate compaction
equipment should not be included in the budget. The ODOT Research Section will increase the
budget for the purchase of the equipment as appropriate.
Conduct field/laboratory testing for data collection and analysis for the test sections. The
researcher will work with ODOT to determine the methods and data set necessary for evaluation
of the sections methods. It is expected that field testing will occur on a two lane secondary
route(s) located in District 1. Placement of the test sections is expected to occur by ODOT
Maintenance Forces in the Spring of 2013. The researcher is expected to have a developed
methodology to capture data needed for analysis. The researcher is expected to observe test
sections and collect data, unless data collection methods are otherwise agreed to by ODOT.
The final report should evaluate the performance of the test section material and placement
methods. Provide a comprehensive cost/benefit analysis for each method. Provide
recommendations for utilization of methods, materials and deployment strategies. All
recommendations for use must be in accordance with Ohio’s highway maintenance procedures
and policies. Deployment strategies should include an assessment of training needs as well as
recommendations for quality assurance and quality control measures.
Requirements of the Research Team:
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of ODOT’s current berm materials and placement
operations.
ODOT RFP 2014-13 REPOSTED: 5/21/13 Page 2 of 3

Assistance from ODOT:
ODOT will provide the following assistance to the research team:
1. Information concerning current berm placement practices and materials.
2. Direction on trial section material composition, equipment and construction methods.
3. Identify and inform researcher of field testing site locations.
4. Construction of field test sections
5. May assist in data collection as necessary and agreed to.
Project Specific Deliverables:
1. Interim report, within 6 weeks of the contract start date
2. State of practice matrix.
3. Training of ODOT personnel on any equipment purchased.
4. Material Specifications, if required.
5. Placement Specifications, if required.
Research Contract Deliverables:
1. Quarterly progress reports (provided electronically).
2. Electronic copies of the draft final report and draft executive summary shall be submitted 120
days prior to the contract completion date.
3. Five copies of an approved final report, five color copies of an approved executive summary, and
a PDF and MS DOC version of both documents shall be submitted by the contract completion
date.
4. Article for the Research newsletter (to be provided upon request).
5. Participation in the following meetings: project start-up, research review session (1 per year), and
research results presentation.
Benefits:
This research will allow ODOT to evaluate methods improve the safety of workers performing berm
placement operations and to optimize the cost and performance of our berm materials.
Potential Application of Research Results:
The result of this research has several potential applications:
1. Implementation of a more efficient and safe berm operation for ODOT Maintenance.
2. Modifications to practices in Construction for berm placement.
3. Modifications to berm materials specified in both Construction and Maintenance.
4. Development of how to manuals for berm placement for ODOT Maintenance forces.
5. Provide evaluation and clarification of construction specification “item 614 reconditioning
shoulders”.
Preliminary Literature Search Results:
None
Duration:
28 months (includes 4 month review of draft final report)
ODOT RFP 2014-13 REPOSTED: 5/21/13 Page 3 of 3