Managing Highway Rock Slope Scaling

Scaling loose rocks from slopes adjacent to highways is a simple and effective measure for temporarily reducing the risk of rockfall potential on naturally occurring bedrock outcrops and highway rock–soil cuts.

However, the current practice in estimating scope of work and contracting rock scaling projects are inconsistent from agency to agency. Many owners and transportation agencies conduct scaling work on a reactionary basis because of continued or prolonged rockfall activity.

Transportation Research Circular E-C260: Managing Highway Rock Slope Scaling includes a synopsis of 11 presentations from the workshop “Managing Highway Rock Slope Scaling: Design and Construction State of the Practice” held at the 97th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board.