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

  • Alpha 330 drilling tool system from Sandvik
    January 6, 2017
    Sandvik Construction is launching its new Alpha 330 drilling tool system for drilling and tunnelling. It has been developed with special features that control power and ensure this power is transmitted into the rock as efficiently, accurately and economically as possible. The company says that in tests, in varying rock conditions, the new design has been proven to deliver a 30-80% increase in rod life; provide more accurate collaring and straighter blast-holes, thereby delivering greater advancement and imp
  • Alpha 330 drilling tool system from Sandvik
    February 13, 2013
    Sandvik Construction is launching its new Alpha 330 drilling tool system for drilling and tunnelling. It has been developed with special features that control power and ensure this power is transmitted into the rock as efficiently, accurately and economically as possible. The company says that in tests, in varying rock conditions, the new design has been proven to deliver a 30-80% increase in rod life; provide more accurate collaring and straighter blast-holes, thereby delivering greater advancement and imp
  • Trimble’s new solutions boost road building
    January 29, 2014
    Trimble is now offering a sophisticated package of solutions comprising hardware, software and mobility technologies. This streamlines communication and collaboration throughout the construction lifecycle, from planning, design and site preparation through to the finished project. Connecting sites delivers value across the entire project lifecycle, as real-time data gives contractors and stakeholders better information about material, people and asset utilisation for improved productivity.
  • TRA competitions announced
    January 20, 2017
    Two TRA Visions Competitions are being launched to attract interest from transport researchers. TRA Visions 2018 invites young and senior researchers from all over Europe to submit innovative transport concepts to www.travisions.eu, which was launched last 20th December 2016. The two European-funded TRA Visions 2018 competitions - one for young researchers and the second for senior researchers - have now commenced. Young and senior researchers throughout Europe are invited to submit innovative concepts on f