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

  • Bertha ends her Alaskan Way voyage in Seattle
    December 21, 2017
    Seattle's State Route 99 viaduct is coming down. David Arminas was on site. Bertha, the world’s largest diameter earth pressure balance tunnel boring machine, with a cutterhead diameter of 17.5m, is no more. Her 2.7km journey underneath the waterfront area of Seattle finished on April 4 and the power went off for the last time on an extraordinary TBM that had finally completed an extraordinary job. “A small sidewalk job would have had more impact on city traffic than we have had,” says Brian Russell a v
    Read More
  • China's Roads Convention focuses on sustainability
    February 9, 2012
    IRF joins with key Chinese transport authorities to lead the way in efforts to make sustainable rural mobility, transport and access a reality for millions throughout the world.
    Read More
  • New concrete testing technologies improve speed, safety and quality
    July 8, 2016
    Developments in data processing and management are revolutionising the way concrete strengths can be measured and used to improve efficiencies - Kristina Smith reports on two new technologies A new system that uses thermal imaging to measure the strength of sprayed concrete tunnel linings is being trialled for the first time in London. The brainchild of Dr Benoit Jones, managing director of Inbye Engineering, the technique could lead to improvements in safety, quality and – in the longer run – productivi
    Read More
  • Heat scanning system for asphalt paving work
    October 1, 2014
    A road construction project in Minnesota has benefited from improved quality control by using the new PAVE-IR heat scanning technology developed by German firm MOBA. Resurfacing work on Highway 29 near Alexandria, Minnesota called for around 50km of the road surface to be repaved. The contractor, Central Specialities, opted to optimise quality by employing the sophisticated PAVE-IR control package from MOBA. The system monitors mat temperature during paving, providing an accurate picture of work quality
    Read More

Highlighted Content