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

  • DAT’s speedy and reliable dataloggers
    January 6, 2017
    DAT instruments is a leading manufacturer of dataloggers for geotechnical activities and special foundations. The company, whose dataloggers are suitable for use in applications relating to jet grouting; grouting; cement injection; drilling; MWD; CFA; soil mixing; vibroflotation; diaphragm walls; Lugeon tests; and mineral investigation. Product reliability and company service are said to be among DAT instruments key priorities.
  • DAT’s speedy and reliable dataloggers
    March 27, 2013
    DAT instruments is a leading manufacturer of dataloggers for geotechnical activities and special foundations. The company, whose dataloggers are suitable for use in applications relating to jet grouting; grouting; cement injection; drilling; MWD; CFA; soil mixing; vibroflotation; diaphragm walls; Lugeon tests; and mineral investigation. Product reliability and company service are said to be among DAT instruments key priorities.
  • High fatality rates around the world
    March 13, 2014
    In 2010, global road traffic injuries resulted in 1.3 million deaths and were the eighth leading cause of death, with 90% of fatal injuries taking place in low- and middle-income countries At the root of this crisis in the developing world are persisting managerial and technical capacity weaknesses. For many fast-motorising countries, fragmented legislation, poorly targeted funding, ineffective institutional leadership, and outdated road engineering practices could all translate into failure to meet road
  • TRA 2014 attracts healthy abstracts and invited session numbers
    August 6, 2013
    The call for abstracts and invited sessions for the 5th Transport Research Arena TRA 2014 event has proved “very successful”, according to organisers. A total of 1,100 abstracts and 110 invited sessions were submitted ahead of the event being held on April 14-17 in Paris La Défense. The deadline to submit accepted full papers is September 30, 2013 (for notified authors only). A new call is now open for "Outreach Marketplaces" (posters only), and the submission deadline is October 31, 2013. Innovative compan