The construction industry suffers from declining productivity and lack of trust between stakeholders and among the public. Increasing technical, regulatory, environmental and ethical challenges face the sector and necessitate a new type of leader. Authentic leadership is a relatively new construct that focuses on a leader demonstrating self-awareness, relational transparency, an internalized ethical and moral perspective and balanced processing. This study uses the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire to measure construction superintendent's levels of authentic leadership and compares them to effectiveness ratings. There is a correlation between higher authentic leadership scores and effectiveness and this study concludes that authentic leaders are more effective superintendents.

PURPOSES: This study set out to investigate the current state of microsurfacing in Texas and compared the results with the current state of the practice nationwide. METHODS: For this study, case studies were extracted from the existing literature and compared with the data obtained both from site visits by the research team and data obtained from a survey by Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) personnel. The successes and failures of microsurfacing are detailed and explanations of different issues are outlined. Forensic studies from Texas are included in the descriptions of those microsurfacings that failed when configured as part of the cape seals. RESULTS : Microsurfacing has been shown to be an effective pavement preservation technique when applied to an appropriate road, at an appropriate timing, and as a remedy for certain issues. The failures experienced in Texas can mostly be attributed to cape seals and an inability to recognize structurally faulty pavement. CONCLUSIONS : When applied to an appropriate road, at an appropriate timing, and as a remedy for certain issues, microsurfacing has been shown to perform well in numerous case studies. The majority of microsurfacing failures are the result of poor project selection, usually involving the treatment being applied to structurally unsound pavement.

Microsurfacing has been shown as an effective pavement preservation tool when applied to the right road, at the right time, for the right distress. This study looks at the current state of practice of microsurfacing in Texas and compares it to best practices extracted from existing literature. A survey of Department of Transportation (DOT) personnel, contractors, and emulsion suppliers in Texas provides insight into the most crucial factors contributing to the success or failure of microsurfacing. From the results of the survey, literature reviews, case studies, and site visits, the research team analyzed material selection and mix design methods, construction practices, equipment practices, and performance measures for microsurfacings. It was concluded that project selection is the most important contributor to a successful microsurfacing; this factor falls under DOT control. However, reliance on contractors for input into proper project selection places the agency in a vulnerable position. A certification course to educate personnel is recommended.

This report describes the current state of practice of microsurfacing in Texas and compares it to best practices extracted from existing literature. A survey of DOT personnel, contractors and emulsion suppliers in Texas provides insight into the most crucial factors contributing to the success or failure of a microsurfacing. From the results of the survey, literature reviews, case studies and site visits, the research team analyzed material selection and mix design methods, construction practices, equipment practices and performance measures for microsurfacings.

Conversion of roadways from a surfaced type to an unsurfaced type in order to achieve agency cost savings is currently being studied and practiced in select regions in other states. Conversion from surfaced to unsurfaced may be a more economical option for low-volume roads. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) manages tens of thousands of miles of low-volume roads, and wishes to know if conversion of those roadways could save significant money in maintenance over time.