FHWA, in cooperation with AASHTO and SHRP, initiated a pooled fund study that gives participating States the opportunity to acquire SUPERPAVE asphalt binder and mix test equipment. Since the pooled fund announcement on January 10, 1992, States have committed at least a portion of the estimated $335,000 needed to purchase the equipment. The pooled fund study allows each State to use its Federal SP&R monies without matching funds.

Procurement of equipment is scheduled for a 4-year period. While all participating States have received the SUPERPAVE binder equipment, the mix design equipment must go through further development with a series of first article testing. This process should allow for a more rigid analysis of the equipment prior to purchase. The States have received the gyratory compaction equipment to begin work on the SUPERPAVE mix design system.

Procurement of the mixture analysis equipment and the SUPERPAVE Shear Tester and Indirect Tensile Tester will initially be limited to six units. These will be evaluated at SUPERPAVE Centers established in Pennsylvania, Alabama, Texas, Nevada, and Indiana, as well as at the FHWA TFHRC. Procurement of these devices for all State DOTs was completed for binder and compaction equipment. Further activities will involve purchase of a performance tester for DOTs.

SUPERPAVE brochures available from Research & Technology Reports Center.

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U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration