- Topic Submission
- Discussion & Evaluation
- Development
- Project
Bridges & Structures
Construction
Design
Highway Operations
Maintenance & Preservation
Materials
Pavements
Traffic Safety
Environment
Is this related to or a continuation of a previous Iowa DOT research project?
No
Does this idea include matching funds?
Yes
Amount of Matching Funds
$ 358,992
Source of Matching Funds
Federal Aviation Administration
Anticipated Benefits
The versatility of the ECON HPS technology demonstrated for roadway application in this study is such that it can be custom-designed and optimized for each specific transportation infrastructure application depending on need and interest. This versatility stems from the fact that the ECON HPS technology can be implemented as either a conductive concrete surface for a new construction project or a conductive concrete overlay on top of an existing structure for a rehabilitation project.
Focus Area
Mobility / Safety / Sustainability / Technology
Project Number
TR-724
Contracted Agency
Iowa State University
Principal Investigator
Funding Program
Iowa Highway Research Board
Project Funding
$358,870
Project Funding Including External Sources
$358,870
Project Complete Date
12/14/2021
Project Deliverables
Media & Presentations
Final Report Abstract
Many transportation agencies allocate significant time and resources each year to remove ice and snow from their paved surfaces to achieve a safe, accessible, and operational transportation network. An electrically conductive concrete (ECON) heated pavement system (HPS) has been shown to be a promising alternative to conventional snow removal operations using snowplows and deicing chemicals, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and environmentally unfriendly. An ECON HPS utilizes the inherent electrical resistance of concrete to maintain the pavement surface at above-freezing temperatures and thus prevent snow and ice accumulation on the surface. Such a sustainable concrete pavement system improves its infrastructure resiliency by allowing it to be safe, open, and accessible during even harsh winter storms. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the full-scale implementation of 10 ECON HPS slabs at the Iowa Department of Transportation headquarters’ south parking lot in Ames, Iowa. This study consisted of system design and control, field implementation, and sensor instrumentation procedures for the construction of the ECON HPS, which took place during October 2018. A programmable logic controller (PLC) was designed, programmed, and utilized to remotely control, operate, and monitor the system, and the heating performance of the remotely operated ECON slabs was evaluated during the 2018 to 2021 winter seasons using the instrumented sensors under the snow and ice. The performance evaluation showed promising results in achieving snow- and ice-free pavement surfaces through several winter weather events.
Project Champion
Project Manager
Delivering targeted solutions for Iowa's transportation future.
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