Development of Potential Strategies for Unmarked and Low Traffic Volume Roadways in Illinois

Rajagopal, Arudi; Mercurio, John; Morse, Aric; Green, Roger

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/120068 Copy

Description

Title

Development of Potential Strategies for Unmarked and Low Traffic Volume Roadways in Illinois

Author(s)

• Rajagopal, Arudi
• Mercurio, John
• Morse, Aric
• Green, Roger

Issue Date

2023-08

Keyword(s)

• Unmarked Routes
• Low Traffic Volume Roads
• Jurisdictional Transfer
• Vacation
• Abandonment
• Maintenance & Rehabilitation
• Maintenance Strategies
• DOT Survey
• LPA Survey

Abstract

The present study was initiated by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to better understand characteristics of roadway segments categorized as unmarked in IDOT’s Transportation Asset Management Plan and to suggest recommendations to manage, vacate, abandon, retain, or transfer individual routes. The researchers developed a methodology, labeled JARM, to identify potential candidates for jurisdictional transfer, abandonment (or vacation), reconfiguration, or maintenance. The JARM methodology is an easy-to-use and stand-alone spreadsheet tool for IDOT districts. It includes all unmarked routes as well as their key database variables and visual attributes. The study identified that over 90% of unmarked route centerline mileage is recommended for jurisdictional transfer to move off IDOT’s inventory and to be better served by local agencies, while reducing maintenance costs and future funding needs. To identify maintenance strategies for unmarked routes and low-volume roads, the researchers reviewed best practices of various state agencies and developed treatment catalogues for rural and urban routes. Additionally, they conducted two surveys: (1) a survey of other state DOTs to understand management of similar routes and (2) a survey of local public agencies within Illinois to understand their familiarity and willingness to accept unmarked routes. Twenty-five DOTs responded to the survey to provide insight into how they manage similar routes. The results demonstrated that 70% of local public agency respondents were amenable to a discussion of jurisdictional transfer. The next logical step is to build off this network-level research and to identify execution strategies at the project level in the most cost-effective manner.

Publisher

Illinois Center for Transportation/Illinois Department of Transportation

Has Part

• https://doi.org/10.36501/0197-9191/23-013
• ISSN: 0197-9191

Series/Report Name or Number

FHWA-ICT-23-012

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

IDOT-R27-240

Copyright and License Information

No restrictions. This document is available through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161.

Owning Collections