Skip to main content

Help for US agencies’ to use new tool to boost concrete pavement quality

In a bid to reduce costs, increase pavement quality, and minimise travel delays caused by road construction, the US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and the Transportation Research Board (TRB) are to help agencies implement a tool that allows contractors to identify concrete pavement surface irregularities during construction. Real-time pavement smoothness has been selected for guided implementation under the second Stra
April 23, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
In a bid to reduce costs, increase pavement quality, and minimise travel delays caused by road construction, the US 2410 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the 3510 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and the 2774 Transportation Research Board (TRB) are to help agencies implement a tool that allows contractors to identify concrete pavement surface irregularities during construction.

Real-time pavement smoothness has been selected for guided implementation under the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2). In May 2014, SHRP2 will begin accepting applications from state departments of transportation (DOTs) who wish to use real-time concrete pavement smoothness to speed up construction and increase quality on their projects.

SHRP2 is an initiative committed to delivering solutions that address growing congestion and aging infrastructure while increasing roadway and construction safety. During typical construction, contractors must wait for concrete pavement to gain adequate strength before evaluating smoothness, which can result in costly penalties and corrective grinding to meet requirements. By monitoring the smoothness of freshly placed concrete, contractors can make timely adjustments to improve operations, increase quality control, and deliver pavements faster.

Two devices measuring real-time pavement smoothness will be available for implementation assistance—the 218 Gomaco Smoothness Indicator (GMI) and the Ames Engineering Real Time Profiler (RTP). These products were selected for implementation after research and evaluation performed by pavement engineering firm The 5943 Transtec Group under SHRP2.

Principal Investigators Dr Robert O. Rasmussen, Steven M. Karamihas and Gary J. Fick evaluated the devices for practicality and accuracy during pavement projects in Georgia, Texas, Arkansas, Michigan, and New York. You can access the full results of this study—including guidelines for implementation—at TRB online.

State DOTs can apply to participate in the SHRP2 effort to familiarise agencies and associated contractors with the selected real-time pavement smoothness devices. The program aims to provide participating agencies with approximately $60,000 worth of equipment rental, training, and technical support.

Agencies interested in participating must apply online during the application period extending from 30 May – 27 June 2014. To learn more, %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal click here http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/goshrp2/ImplementationAssistance false http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/goshrp2/ImplementationAssistance false false%>

Related Content

  • More output for less fuel from Atlas Weyhausen’s new E Series compact wheeled loaders
    January 6, 2017
    Atlas Weyhausen’s new E Series wheeled loaders will be on display at Bauma with the AR 65e, AR 75e, AR 80e and AR95e Super all on view. Using newly developed Deutz engines, the new wheeled loaders offer up to 12% more output with lower fuel consumption figures. A key design feature of the engines is that they do not contain a particle filter and therefore are easier to maintain, claims the German manufacturer. There is a new steering valve on the E Series too, allowing operators to run the machine electroni
  • More output for less fuel from Atlas Weyhausen’s new E Series compact wheeled loaders
    February 15, 2013
    Atlas Weyhausen’s new E Series wheeled loaders will be on display at Bauma with the AR 65e, AR 75e, AR 80e and AR95e Super all on view. Using newly developed Deutz engines, the new wheeled loaders offer up to 12% more output with lower fuel consumption figures. A key design feature of the engines is that they do not contain a particle filter and therefore are easier to maintain, claims the German manufacturer. There is a new steering valve on the E Series too, allowing operators to run the machine electroni
  • New top-of-the-range wheeled loader from Doosan
    January 31, 2013
    The new generation DL550 wheeled loader from Doosan Infracore is the top-of-the-range model in the company’s updated range of wheel loaders intended for markets in the Middle East and Africa. With a bucket capacity of 5.4m3, the DL550 wheel loader is powered by a 12.7 litre Scania DC13 turbo-charged, air-to-air intercooled diesel engine that meets Tier 2 legislation and suits use in the Middle East and Africa. The engine delivers 294kW at 2100rpm and drives through a new ZF transmission. Other features com
  • ERF organises successful road safety event
    May 31, 2013
    ERF organises successful event on Roadside Safety in cooperation with Transport Research Board. On 11 April, more than 90 participants from different parts of the world gathered in Brussels to attend the 2nd European Workshop of the TRB’s AFB 20 (2) Subcommittee on Roadside Safety. Coordinated by the European Union Road Federation and held at the CEN premises, the event proved a huge success. According to Konstandinos Diamandouros, ERF Head of Office and coordinator of the event, the feedback received from