Category: Transportation Engineering

What Is Bridge Scour? Why Should You Care?

The most common cause of bridge failures is from floods scouring bed material surrounding bridge foundations. What is scour? Simply put, scour is the engineering term for the erosion of soil surrounding a bridge foundation (piers and abutments). Bridge scour occurs when fast-moving water around a bridge removes sediment from… Read More »

High Mast Light Poles Light the Way for Drivers

By Michael Noesen, PE, and Tim Howell, CBI It’s a given that nighttime driving is more hazardous than daytime driving. Visibility decreases even when a vehicle’s headlights are on. High mast lighting is one of the tools roadway engineers use to help improve visibility for motorists. It provides a safer environment for motorists when designed… Read More »

Non-circular Roundabouts Have Their Place

Most drivers think about roundabouts as perfect circles: You pull up to the roundabout, yield to the cars coming from your left, enter the roundabout, and drive counter-clockwise until exiting onto your desired road. About the Expert: Kevin Kuhlow, PE, is a leading roundabout designer in the US. He has been involved with developing hundreds… Read More »