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

  • Terex launches Superlift 3800 crawler crane
    January 6, 2017
    Terex Cranes has replaced its CC2800-1 crawler crane with the Superlift 3800 lattice boom, offering improved speed and efficiency for customers. The 3800 can handle loads of up to 650tonnes at a radius of 5-12m and has a maximum load moment of 8,426t/m. Terex says that customers have been involved in the new crane’s development from the start, resulting in improvements in many areas. The crane uses the Terex Crane Fall Protection System, with additional railings installed around the superstructure. It is th
  • Terex launches Superlift 3800 crawler crane
    April 18, 2013
    Terex Cranes has replaced its CC2800-1 crawler crane with the Superlift 3800 lattice boom, offering improved speed and efficiency for customers. The 3800 can handle loads of up to 650tonnes at a radius of 5-12m and has a maximum load moment of 8,426t/m. Terex says that customers have been involved in the new crane’s development from the start, resulting in improvements in many areas. The crane uses the Terex Crane Fall Protection System, with additional railings installed around the superstructure. It is th
  • World of Asphalt 2019
    December 12, 2018
    Tomorrow is your last chance to save 35% when you register for World of Asphalt 2019! Register now to attend the asphalt industry’s largest trade show and educational conference on February 12-14, 2019. Find solutions from 450 Exhibitors who will display their newest products and innovations. There’s no better place to train your team than World of Asphalt. With over 120 sessions to choose from, your whole team will leave with the right tools to grow.
  • Nylacast’s Bigfoot spreads the load at INTERMAT
    January 6, 2017
    Putting his best foot forward: Nylacast marketing executive Junaid Makda shows off the company’s new Bigfoot spreader plates. Made from Nylon, which is 1.6 times stronger than polyethylene, they come in 500 to 1,220mm sizes. An anti-slip coating is applied to the top surface and the customer’s name can be etched into each pad along with a serial number and contact details.