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Project 1: Use of Technology to Enhance Work Zone Safety and Training

Work zones present safety challenges to motorists, non-motorized users, and workers. The use of innovative technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and connected vehicles can help address these challenges and enhance work zone safety and training. This webinar provides an overview of the Missouri Work Zone Safety Center of Excellence (MOWZES) and highlights two MOWZES projects designed to enhance work zone safety and training through the use of technology: work zone VR training and the evaluation of a leader-follower truck-mounted attenuator (TMA) system. The session highlights how VR can enhance training through immersive, hands-on learning and how connected vehicle technology can improve worker safety.

Project 2: Utilization of Recycled Plastics for Asphalt Road Construction

Utilizing waste plastics in the construction of asphalt pavement offers potential environmental benefits, provided that engineering performance is not compromised. While the inclusion of waste plastics in asphalt mixtures is often associated with improved rutting resistance, the impact on cracking performance is mixed. This variation depends on factors such as the type of plastic used, the test methods employed, and the method of producing the plastic-modified asphalt mixtures. Previous studies on recycled plastic asphalt have typically focused on mixtures produced in laboratory settings. However, laboratory conditions can differ significantly from plant production conditions—such as the use of superheated aggregates in plants—which may influence the properties of plastic-modified asphalt. This study first investigates the differences in performance when recycled plastics are introduced in plant versus laboratory settings. Environmental impacts were also evaluated, including effects on water quality, air quality, and microplastics. A construction demonstration was conducted to compare the production processes, constructability, and performance of asphalt mixtures containing waste plastics with those of conventional asphalt.