Colorado adopting new road surface standard

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is implementing a new pavement texture standard. This revised specification is a response to feedback from the state's drivers with requirements for finishing Portland cement concrete pavement (PCCP). The main change is that the state is discontinuing the use of tining on all PCCP projects. In certain instances the grooved pavement texture produced by longitudinal tining can cause drivers to experience uncomfortable lateral vehicle movement. This is called gr
June 27, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Transtec carried out extensive tests to ensure that CDOT’s revised surface specification would ensure sufficient skid resistance and safety for road users
The 5406 Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is implementing a new pavement texture standard. This revised specification is a response to feedback from the state's drivers with requirements for finishing Portland cement concrete pavement (PCCP). The main change is that the state is discontinuing the use of tining on all PCCP projects. In certain instances the grooved pavement texture produced by longitudinal tining can cause drivers to experience uncomfortable lateral vehicle movement. This is called groove wander and CDOT's pavement design programme manager Jay Goldbaum explained that the state fully-investigated the practicality of moving away from longitudinal tining to address this ride comfort issue. The specification update is a result of CDOT's long-term study of PCCP textures used within the state, including analysis of texture, friction, noise, and accident records. This study was carried out by specialty pavement engineering firm The 5943 Transtec Group. But the texturing methods now required by the specification should not have an adverse effect on the safety of CDOT's pavements. CDOT's updated PCCP specifications require contractors to finish their pavement by broom, burlap or turf drag, or diamond grinding. According to Dr Robert Rasmussen, PE, vice president and chief engineer of Transtec, "Drag and diamond ground textures can be simple to construct, and they are capable of producing smooth and quiet pavement surfaces."

In addition to meeting CDOT's standards for safety and ride comfort, "The new specification will be easier to monitor," said Goldbaum. The standards require pavement texture to be verified with CDOT's CP-77B volumetric method test.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Innovations are pushing boundaries in the concrete road paving sector
    February 18, 2013
    The concrete road paving market continues to develop - Mike Woof reports Concrete road paving technology continues to evolve, with new equipment and techniques coming to market. Although concrete road construction has been used for many years, problems with early generation technologies affected this market segment. The first concrete roads were constructed in sections, which led to problems at joints but these were addressed many years ago with the advent of slipform paving. Concrete roads constructed in t
    Read More
  • Developments in concrete road construction
    February 7, 2012
    Innovative developments are pushing forward concrete road construction techniques. The concrete road sector looks to benefit from some key innovations and developments now coming to market or being employed in different territories. Irregular weather and environmental conditions can alter the rate at which concrete cures, with a risk of plastic shrinkage cracks that can compromise the integrity of a pavement. Contractors cannot control the environmental conditions of a paving project and when weather patter
    Read More
  • Novel concrete surfacing option used in Colorado
    December 10, 2015
    Proven polyester bridge deck surfacing technology is now being used more widely – Mike Woof writes. The benefits of using polymer concrete bridge deck overlays are well known and this technology is becoming widely used in the US. The system can improve protection for bridge surfaces and help extend the life of a bridge deck, as well as increasing skid resistance. In the last 25 years the use of these overlays has increased significantly in the US. These perform best when installed on bridge decks that are i
    Read More
  • Rubber tyred rollers see key developments
    June 23, 2015
    A series of new rubber tyred asphalt compactors are now coming to market from several key manufacturers - Mike Woof writes Several of the major European compactor manufacturers are introducing new rubber tyred machines to meet demand. Pneumatic tyred rollers are often used for finishing work in road construction, due to the high quality surface they can deliver.
    Read More

Highlighted Content