The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) uses wooden posts to support many types of signs along state highways. WisDOT currently uses red pine or Southern Pine posts treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) and has generally experienced satisfactory performance and service life. However, there are some areas of concern, as well as potential opportunities for diversifying the wood species and preservatives used. Warp is sometimes a problem with the current pine posts, and increased use of locally sourced wood species for the sign posts could decrease transportation costs and potentially benefit Wisconsin industries. Although CCA is a highly effective preservative, it may not be the optimum treatment for alternative wood species. This study reviewed the characteristics of alternative wood species and wood preservatives and evaluated their potential for use in Wisconsin highway sign posts. The evaluation concluded that WisDOT's current practice of using red pine or Southern Pine posts treated with CCA is logical and may be the optimum combination of wood species and preservatives currently available. Red pine and Southern Pine are readily available and relatively strong compared with many other softwood species. Red pine is also an important commercial resource for Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. Other Wisconsin species to consider include eastern white pine and soft maples. However, strength may be a concern with eastern white pine, whereas cost may be a concern with soft maples. CCA is an effective preservative, readily treats red pine and Southern Pine, and is compatible with aluminum signs. Copper naphthenate in oil solvent appears to be one of the most logical alternatives to CCA, and would be a strong candidate for treatment of hardwoods. Copper naphthenate is non-corrosive to aluminum and would avoid warp associated with re-drying after treatment with water-based preservatives. WisDOT may want to consider purchasing a small volume of copper naphthenate-treated posts to evaluate the handling characteristics of this oil-based preservative.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) administers approximately 11,800 miles (18,990 km) of state highways (WisDOT 2014). WisDOT uses preservative-treated wood posts for much of the signage along these highways because wood is relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and has the necessary strength properties to tolerate typical Wisconsin wind loads. Although WisDOT's experi-ence with wood sign posts has been generally positive, there are some areas of concern, as well as potential opportunities for diversifying the wood species and preservatives used. WisDOT and the USDA Forest Products Laboratory con-ducted a comprehensive literature review to examine those concerns and opportunities.

The purpose of this manual is to provide clear and helpful information for maintaining gravel roads. Very little technical help is available to small agencies that are responsible for managing these roads. Gravel road maintenance has traditionally been "more of an art than a science" and very few formal standards exist. This manual contains guidelines to help answer the questions that arise concerning gravel road maintenance such as: What is enough surface crown? What is too much? What causes corrugation? The information is as nontechnical as possible without sacrificing clear guidelines and instructions on how to do the job right.