The project provided a framework for developing methodologies for using results from accelerated pavement testing (APT) studies to predict long-term performance of flexible pavements, proposed an approach for validating these methodologies, and identified the data available for use in this validation.

The use of accelerated pavement testing (APT) for determining pavement response and performance has increased in recent years primarily because of its ability to apply wheel loads in a compressed time period thus providing an expedited means of evaluating potential materials, designs, and features. However, because of the short duration and controlled conditions of APT tests, APT studies do not accurately account for the long-term effects of environment and aging of materials. In addition, magnitude, duration, and configuration of the loads applied in APT studies often differ substantially from those imposed by traffic on in-service pavements. Also, methodologies that relate data obtained from APT studies to in-service performance are not readily available. Thus, there was a need for research to provide methodologies for using APT results that are generally acquired under specific environmental, aging, and loading conditions to establish the expected pavement performance under various in-service traffic and environmental conditions.

The panel recognized that accomplishing the project objective will depend on finding sufficiently compatible pairs of APT and in-service test sections (i.e., similar structural design, materials, and performance data). Because of concerns about data availability, practicality of the proposed research approach, and the likelihood of producing implementable results, the panel requested that this research not be pursued at this time and suggested that a similar effort may be considered in a few years if relevant data become available.