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Focus

Federal Highway Administration / Publications / Focus / April 2002

Accelerating Infrastructure Innovations

Publication Number: FHWA-RD-02-009
Date: April 2002

Articles in this Issue

Professor Training Workshop Showcases DataPave 3.0

Professors from universities across the country got a hands-on introduction to the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) DataPave 3.0 software at a training workshop held in December 2001 in Reno, Nevada. The software contains much of the data collected through the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program, including pavement performance monitoring, material testing, climatic, traffic, maintenance, rehabilitation, seasonal, and inventory data (see article in November 2001 Focus).

In Brief

Get the latest information on National Highway Institute (NHI) training courses and course schedules from NHI Training Update, a new monthly newsletter available by email. To subscribe to the newsletter, click on the "Newsletter" button on the NHI home page (www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov).

RAP and Superpave: An Excellent Blend

Did you drive on a recycled pavement today? Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), the term used to describe reprocessed pavement materials containing asphalt and aggregates, is now routinely used in nearly all 50 States. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) estimates that nearly 30 million tons of RAP are recycled into hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements each year, saving taxpayers more than $300 million annually by reducing material and disposal costs. But can RAP be incorporated into pavements built using the Superpave mix design system? As originally developed by the Strategic Highway Research Program, the Superpave system did not contain guidelines for the inclusion of RAP. However, State experiences to date have indicated that RAP can be used in Superpave mixes both predictably and reliably, as long as the unique properties of the RAP are known. The recently completed National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) project 9-12, led by Rebecca McDaniel of the North Central Superpave Center and Mike Anderson of the Asphalt Institute, confirms that the Superpave system can easily and effectively accommodate the use of RAP.

A High-Performance Steel Scorecard

From Oregon to New York State, construction of high-performance steel (HPS) bridges is on the rise. Since the first HPS bridge in the United States opened to traffic in December 1997 in Snyder, Nebraska, HPS has been used in more than 150 bridges nationwide. This figure includes bridges currently in the design or fabrication stages, as well as those that have already opened. Developed through a joint effort among the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), and the U.S. Department of the Navy, HPS (which includes grades HPS-70W and HPS-50W) is stronger and has less than 60 percent of the carbon and about 15 percent of the sulfur of conventional steel. HPS is also tougher than conventional steel and can offer greater resistance to cracking compared with conventional bridge steels.

Now is the Time for Work Zone Safety

As the spring and summer construction seasons approach, drivers are being reminded to slow down and stay alert in work zones. The third annual National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) was observed April 8-12 across the country through events that highlighted this year's theme: "Roadways Keep America Moving. Drive Safely in Work Zones!"

Highway Technology Calendar

Updated: 06/27/2017
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000