BACKGROUND

Pavement preservation provides a means for maintaining and improving the functional condition and safety of an existing highway system. Although pavement preservation is not expected to substantially increase structural capacity, it generally leads to improved pavement performance and longer service life. Although a great deal of information on the design, materials, and construction practices of several preservation treatments is available, there is no nationally accepted guidance on the performance-related tests required for their acceptance. There is a need to develop guidelines for the selection of performance-related tests for the acceptance of preservation treatments, particularly chip seals and microsurfacing, to help highway agencies with the acceptance of these treatments and achieving the most benefit from their application.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research is to develop guidelines for the selection of performance-related tests for the acceptance of preservation treatments. The research shall focus on chip seals and microsurfacing. For the purpose of this research, acceptance tests include those required for design, production, and placement of the treatment. 

Accomplishment of the project objective will require at least the following tasks.

TASKS

PHASE I

Task 1. Collect and review domestic and foreign literature, research findings, and information relevant to the performance-related tests for the acceptance of preservation treatments. This information may be obtained from published and unpublished sources and from public and private organizations.

Task 2. Based on the review performed in Task 1, identify potential tests for assessing treatment performance. Evaluate and prioritize these tests and select those recommended for incorporation in the guidelines. If necessary, recommend for further investigation in Phase II modifications to other potential tests and/or development of new tests for incorporation in the guidelines.

Task 3. Based on the evaluation performed in Task 2, prepare an updated, detailed work plan to be executed in Phases II and III to (1) further investigate the recommended modifications to existing tests and/or development of new tests, (2) prepare the guidelines, (3) prepare a plan for validating the selection of performance-related tests described in the guidelines in a future research effort, and (4) prepare supplementary material to support adoption and implementation. The plan shall provide specific information on the different aspects of the proposed work (e.g., addressing the limitations of the recommended tests, modifying existing tests and/or developing new tests, and preparing the guidelines and validation plan) and include an outline of the anticipated guidelines.

Task 4. Prepare an interim report that documents the research performed in Tasks 1 through 3. Following review of the interim report by the NCHRP, the research team will be required to make a presentation to the NCHRP project panel. Work on Phase II of the project will not begin until the interim report is approved and the Phase II work plan is authorized by the NCHRP. The decision on proceeding with Phase II will be based on the contractor’s documented justification of the updated work plan.

PHASE II

Task 5.  Execute the Phase II plan approved in Task 4. Based on the results of this work, prepare and submit a predraft version of the proposed guidelines. Following review of the predraft guidelines, the research team will be required to make a presentation to the NCHRP project panel. Work on Phase III of the project will not begin until the predraft guidelines are reviewed and the Phase III work is authorized by the NCHRP.

PHASE III

Task 6. Review and consider the comments on predraft guidelines and (1) revise the proposed guidelines, (2) develop a research plan to validate the selection of performance-related tests described in the guidelines in a future research project, and (3) prepare a draft report documenting the research performed in the project.

Task 7. Prepare a stand-alone technical memorandum titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products” to facilitate implementation of the proposed guidelines.

Task 8. Prepare material, in a PowerPoint or other format, for use in webinars and presentations to facilitate implementation of the proposed guidelines.

Task 9. Prepare and submit (1) a draft final deliverable that documents the entire research effort and includes (a) a research report documenting the work performed in the project and used to develop the guidelines, (b) the proposed guidelines, (c) the validation plan, (d) the implementation plan, and (e) the presentation material and (2) a final deliverable that addresses the review comments.

STATUS: Contract pending.