Institute for Transportation

About the research

The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to further an ongoing concrete pavement technology program, which includes the deployment and transfer of new and innovative technologies and strategies to advance concrete pavements and improve pavement performance.  A list of the recent deliverables is available here.

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Project Details

Work areas for this project are as follows:

• Deployment of new, cost-effective designs, materials, recycled materials, and practices to extend the pavement life and performance and to improve user satisfaction—with a focus on concrete recycling and the use of industrial waste or byproducts in concrete pavement mixtures
• Reduction of initial costs and life-cycle costs of pavements, including the costs of new construction, replacement, maintenance, and rehabilitation—with a focus on strategies and technologies for rehabilitation and maintenance
• Deployment of accelerated construction techniques to increase safety and reduce construction time and traffic disruption and congestion—with a focus on the use of performance engineered concrete mixtures for accelerated construction without compromising durability
• Deployment of engineering design criteria and specifications for new and efficient practices, products, and materials for use in highway pavements—with a focus on further development and implementation of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) PP 84-17 specification for Performance Engineered Concrete Mixtures
• Deployment of new nondestructive and real-time pavement evaluation technologies and construction techniques—with a focus on technologies for construction quality assurance and quality control
• Effective technology transfer and information dissemination to accelerate implementation of new technologies and to improve life, performance, cost effectiveness, safety, and user satisfaction—with a focus on partnering with state departments of transportation (DOTs) and industry to advance these innovative technologies

About the research

The objectives of this five-year Transportation Pooled Fund study are to evaluate conventional and new technologies and procedures for testing concrete and concrete materials to prevent material and construction problems that could lead to premature concrete pavement distress, and to develop a suite of tests that provides a comprehensive method of ensuring long-term pavement performance. A preliminary suite of tests to ensure long-term pavement performance has been developed. Shadow construction projects are being conducted to evaluate the preliminary suite of tests. A mobile concrete testing laboratory has been designed and equipped to facilitate the shadow projects. The results of the project are being compiled in a user-friendly field manual, which will be available by summer 2006.

About the research

Highway noise is one of the most pressing of the surface characteristics issues facing the concrete paving industry. This is particularly true in urban areas, where not only is there a higher population density near major thoroughfares, but also a greater volume of commuter traffic. In 2004 and 2005, the Federal Highway Administration, Iowa State University, and the American Concrete Pavement Association initiated a five-year, multi-million dollar Portland Cement Concrete Surface Characteristics Program. This program is administered through the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center located at Iowa State University. The purpose of the program is to determine the interrelationship among noise, friction, smoothness, and texture properties of concrete pavements. This report addresses work conducted under Part 2 of the program. In Part 2, data were collected on 1,012 test sections totaling 240,000 ft., representing 395 unique pavement textures. This is the most comprehensive inventory of concrete pavement surface textures ever compiled. The inventory includes transverse and longitudinal tining, diamond grinding, various drag textures, grooving, exposed aggregate, shot peening, cold milling, and some asphalt pavements and surface treatments. A preliminary analysis of the data has revealed a number of important findings. For example, relationships between texture and noise are beginning to emerge. These are not based on nominal texture dimensions, however, since a second finding is that nominal dimensions are rarely observed to be found in place. Friction and noise are also found to have no relationship, demonstrating that quieter concrete pavements can be achieved without compromising this important characteristic.

About the research

The objective of this project is to develop a strategic plan for management of surface characteristics to minimize pavement noise. The steps include identification of needs, technical and policy gaps, and the preparation of research statements or concepts. This will be followed by identification of a sequence of projects timeline, funding sources and the agencies that desire to lead or participate, and ways to share and implement results. The solution must find a balance for noise and smoothness without compromising friction and safety.

About the research

The CP Road Map is a comprehensive and strategic plan for concrete pavement research that will guide the investment of research dollars for the next several years. It will result in technologies and systems that help the concrete pavement community meet the paving needs of today, and the as-yet unimagined paving challenges of tomorrow. In short, the CP Road Map will result in a new generation of concrete pavements for the 21st century.

About the research

The CP Tech Notes are 12–24 page booklets with in-depth explanations and detailed illustrations on a variety of topics. The documents are convenient, reliable resources for engineers and superintendents. They are also useful for workshop leaders in developing their own training programs.

About the research

CP Workforce References help get basic construction information into the hands of paving crews. Each reference contains numerous illustrated subtopics and includes step-by-step recommended construction procedures, as well as precautions and tips for troubleshooting common problems. The workforce references are produced in a handy reference format and are printed in full color on a durable paper with weatherproof coating so that they can be used in the shop, vehicle, or field. These documents are excellent for training, reference, and quality control tools for foremen, crew leaders, and crews.