The Next Step Toward End-result Specifications for Hot-mix Asphalt Materials and Construction

The Next Step Toward End-result Specifications for Hot-mix Asphalt Materials and Construction
Author: Charles S. Hughes
Publisher:
Total Pages: 64
Release: 2007
Genre: Asphalt concrete
ISBN:

In 2000, the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) Chief Engineer asked the Virginia Transportation Research Council to develop a vision of how and when VDOT would have a working end-result specification for hot-mix asphalt. The response to that question was that it would take several years and many steps to achieve. This report discusses the next step in that ongoing effort, which includes the development and simulated application of two statistical quality assurance (SQA) special provisions, one for asphalt concrete material and the other for asphalt concrete pavement. The criteria for these prototype SQA provisions included the application of standard national terminology and approach, a firm basis in existing VDOT specifications, and quality characteristics that represent the best practical performance measures. This report describes the outcome of a "shadow" application of the proposed SQA specifications to a subset of Virginia's annual maintenance-resurfacing projects. Although the involved production and placement activities were not subject to the requirements of the SQA specifications, the sampling and testing were designed to represent what would have been required had the special provisions been in effect. The study further determined the likely acceptance outcome for each shadow project and explored future modifications to specification limits and pay adjustment criteria. The most desirable benefit from effective end-result specifications stems from the ability to rededicate available inspection to those key production and placement processes (e.g., joint tacking and surface preparation) that cannot be measured upon delivery to the owner/agency. A less desirable, but more tangible, financial benefit results when these specifications permit a reduction in the overall inspection force. One conservative estimate suggests that VDOT could save more than $2 million per year in inspector salaries through an end-result specification for acceptance of hot-mix asphalt pavements

Gravel Roads

Gravel Roads
Author: Ken Skorseth
Publisher:
Total Pages: 112
Release: 2000
Genre: Gravel roads
ISBN:

The purpose of this manual is to provide clear and helpful information for maintaining gravel roads. Very little technical help is available to small agencies that are responsible for managing these roads. Gravel road maintenance has traditionally been "more of an art than a science" and very few formal standards exist. This manual contains guidelines to help answer the questions that arise concerning gravel road maintenance such as: What is enough surface crown? What is too much? What causes corrugation? The information is as nontechnical as possible without sacrificing clear guidelines and instructions on how to do the job right.

Synthesis of Benefits and Costs of Alternative Lane Marking Strategies

Synthesis of Benefits and Costs of Alternative Lane Marking Strategies
Author: Michael D. Fontaine
Publisher:
Total Pages: 70
Release: 2009
Genre: Road markings
ISBN:

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) currently uses snowplowable raised pavement markers (SRPMs) to supplement longitudinal pavement markings on some facilities. SRPMs are much more visible than traditional longitudinal markings under wet, nighttime conditions. SRPMs have been reported to dislodge from pavement, however, which has raised the question as to whether alternative marking materials might be able to replace SRPMs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the visibility performance of longitudinal pavement marking materials currently on the market. The specific objectives of this study were (1) to determine whether or not new pavement marking materials could be used in place of SRPMs; (2) if SRPMs were to be used, to develop guidelines for their installation and maintenance; and (3) to determine the costs and benefits of using SRPMs to the maximum extent possible. No new data on the visibility or durability of pavement marking materials were collected for this study. The study primarily synthesized existing research on the characteristics of different marking materials and then applied information derived from the synthesis to Virginia-specific data to estimate the impacts of using different materials. National practices for installing, inspecting, and maintaining SRPMs were also reviewed. The results of the literature review indicated that SRPMs remain the only marking system that provides sufficient nighttime preview time at high speeds, especially under wet conditions. Further, SRPMs can improve safety in certain situations, but they can also degrade safety in other situations since drivers may travel at higher speeds when the distance they can see down the road at night increases. Proposed guidelines for the installation and maintenance of SRPMs were developed. They recommend that SRPMs be installed on all limited access freeways, on all two-lane roads with an average daily traffic volume above 15,000 vehicles per day, and on all roads with a posted speed limit of 60 mph or greater. Several other situations where SRPMs might be installed based on engineering judgment were also identified. A proposed maintenance schedule that requires inspections every 2 to 3 years was also developed. A conservative economic analysis indicated that the benefits of installing and maintaining SRPMs using the guidelines developed in this study outweighed the costs by more than 80 to 1, based purely on potential safety improvements on road geometries where SRPMs have been shown to improve safety. Further, VDOT can realize cost savings by discontinuing SRPM usage on low-volume facilities and by revising particular SRPM standards.