NCPP Report – Economic and State-of-Practice Assessment of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement in Pavement Preservation TreatmentsTransportation agencies face increasing pressure to preserve roadway networks under constrained budgets while advancing sustainability, resource-efficiency, and asset-management goals. Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), one of the most widely recycled construction materials, offers a significant opportunity to support these objectives. Although widely used in hot-mix asphalt (HMA), its application in pavement preservation treatments remains limited and inconsistent despite widespread availability and demonstrated technical feasibility. This study evaluates the implementation status, economic viability, and adoption readiness of RAP in pavement preservation through a nationwide state-of-practice assessment combined with a life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA). Two structured surveys of transportation agencies and industry practitioners were conducted to document current practices, implementation barriers, quality-control procedures, and perceptions regarding RAP use in preservation treatments. Link to PDF Report: |
PG3 StudyThe use of the right pavement treatment at the right time on the right road can improve the condition level and extend the service life of a pavement structure. When properly applied or constructed, they optimize performance of the pavement. By monitoring the timing, placement, and performance of PM treatments through applied research, the optimal timing for placement can be determined and performance grading specifications developed, improving overall pavement performance. Building on the successes of phases 1 and 2, this pooled-fund study will support state highway agencies (SHAs) and other Local Public Agencies (LPAs) by improving the application and quality of PM treatments on their pavements under live traffic conditions. The study will also provide guidance and funding to SHAs and LPAs in an effort to standardize or harmonize treatment strategies, address implementation efforts, and develop best construction practices utilizing their existing specifications or available AASHTO standards. For the study to be valuable, documentation of pretreatment pavement condition is critical along with monitoring of post treatment performance. The study will use established and proven data collection procedures such as those from the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program to monitor the PM treatments. This data will be available to the public through an online system (e.g. LTPP InfoPave™ web portal). Participating states are currently nominating projects for inclusion in the study. The technical team is ready to assist with project selection and specification development. Link to PG3 Study Page: |
Implementing Guide Specifications for the Construction of Chip Seals, Micro Surfacing, and Fog SealsBACKGROUND The guide specifications for construction of chip seals, micro surfacing, and fog seals produced under NCHRP Project 14-37, Guide Specifications for the Construction of Chip Seals and Microsurfacing, have been submitted to the AASHTO Committee on Materials and Pavements (COMP) for balloting and approval. OBJECTIVE The objective of this project was to facilitate the adoption by AASHTO of the guide specifications for construction of chip seals, micro surfacing, and fog seals produced in NCHRP Project 14-37 through a series of phased activities in four areas: information dissemination, outreach, training, and demonstration. Link to Report Page: |