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

  • Volvo Penta shows new Tier 4 Final engine range
    February 12, 2013
    Volvo Penta says it is ready for a follow-up of the new Tier 4 Final engine range and for displaying engine features such as the start/stop function, the latest Volvo Penta innovation that will “help operators to significantly reduce their fuel costs.” Volvo Penta introduced its range of engines compliant with Tier 4 Interim/Stage 3B, all based on the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology in Janaury 2011, and while they were well received by the market, the off-road equipment industry was aware tha
  • Doll develops sophisticated suspension system
    January 6, 2017
    German company DOLL says that its sophisticated suspension technology offers better ride performance and steering than previous designs, as well as durability and reliability. The firm’s heavy duty Panther trailer line features independent suspension, delivering a combination of high reliability and optimal driving characteristics according to the company.
  • Doll develops sophisticated suspension system
    March 15, 2013
    German company DOLL says that its sophisticated suspension technology offers better ride performance and steering than previous designs, as well as durability and reliability. The firm’s heavy duty Panther trailer line features independent suspension, delivering a combination of high reliability and optimal driving characteristics according to the company.
  • Tamtron launches its new Power wheeled loader scale
    March 8, 2013
    Finnish company Tamtron is launching its self-developed and self-manufactured Power wheeled loader scale with ”the first full-colour touch screen in a wheeled loader scale.” Said to be as easy to use as a smartphone, the Tamtron Power scale offers many key features including three weighing modes in one scale (standard scale for basic weighing, memo weighing for professional users, and stock control weighing); weigh while lowering the boom meaning no more weigh and subtract lifts; zeroing only once an hour n