August 2017                       Issue 39
In This Issue
Getting Hands-On: Moving the Class into the Lab
Icelandic Traffic Signal
Tips from Tony
Advice from CIRMA: Cyber Security
Innovation Station: There's an APP for That!
Tips from Tony - Answer
Getting Hands-On: Moving the Class into the Lab

"All About Asphalt," a CT T2 Center Road Master Program required workshop, is taught by Jim Mahoney, Executive Program Director of the CT Transportation Institute and Program Director of the CT Advanced Pavement Laboratory (CAP Lab). In this workshop, participants learn about selection of materials for construction, maintenance and reconstruction of pavements, various maintenance treatments and conditions under which they should be used, and how to identify various pavement distress types and their causes.

This past spring, the "All About Asphalt" sessions that were held at the Storrs, CT location included a new item on the day's agenda: a tour of the CAP Lab! Participants who visited the lab had the opportunity to meet with CAP Lab personnel and gained hands-on experience with materials and mixes. The class worked on exercises that included identifying general pavement distresses and understanding the general behavior of asphalt and asphalt products.
Adding a CAP Lab tour to the workshop agenda was a success!   Click here to view more pictures from the spring sessions.
Icelandic Traffic Signal

Connecticut Technology Transfer Center Director Donna Shea recently traveled to Iceland for a personal vacation. Among her souvenirs, Donna returned with this photo of an Icelandic traffic signal.

Even while on vacation, Donna can't stop thinking about work. Thank you for sharing, Donna!
Tips from Tony
 
Did you know that the Connecticut Department of Transportation has a  convenient way to keep current on information related to Bridge Design, Engineering Applications, Highway Design, Highway and Traffic Standard Drawings, the Local Bridge Program, MAP 21, and other news from CTDOT?
Find the answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

If you have roadway safety questions, please contact:
Anthony Lorenzetti, P.E. - Safety Circuit Rider
(860) 486-5847 or anthony.lorenzetti@uconn.edu
Advice from CIRMA: Cyber Security

Critical patches were issued for Microsoft products earlier this year. Multiple vulnerabilities were discovered, the most severe of which could allow for remote code execution. Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could result in an attacker gaining the same privileges as the logged on user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.
CIRMA recommends the following actions be taken:
  • Apply appropriate patches or appropriate mitigations provided by Microsoft to vulnerable systems immediately after appropriate testing. 
  • Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative privileges) to diminish the effects of a successful attack. 
  • Remind users not to visit un-trusted websites or follow links provided by unknown or un-trusted sources. 
  • Inform and educate users regarding threats posed by hypertext links contained in emails or attachments especially from un-trusted sources. 
  • Apply the Principle of Least Privilege to all systems and services.
Click here for more information on Cyber Security. 
Innovation Station: There's an App for That!
 
There are some great apps for people who
work in the public works and transportation industries. Click here to see a full list of applications that not only encourage innovation but also are useful tools that can increase productivity. All of the apps listed are available free of charge!
Tips from Tony ~ Answer
 
Subscribe to CTDOT's E-Alerts and you'll be notified when important content is posted on the Department's website. Simply click on this link to setup a profile and select the topics of interest to you.
If you have any ideas or suggestions for future Connecticut Crossroads topics, please feel free to email the designer Regina Hackett at regina.hackett@uconn.edu.