Performance Related Testing and Analysis of Asphalt Binders, Mixtures, and Pavements - II

Performance Related Testing and Analysis of Asphalt Binders, Mixtures, and Pavements – Phase IIThe Federal Highway Administration has a goal to improve the understanding of materials, such as asphalt binder and aggregate, used to construct asphalt pavements and develop superior practices for testing and evaluating asphalt materials. As part of the FHWA Superpave implementation program, performance-related specifications are developed and used to improve the quality of asphalt pavements, which will ideally result in long life pavements. The FHWA supports advanced research in pavements and bituminous materials through the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRFP) and the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP). Once these projects are completed, the FHWA will require assistance in further development and deployment of the technology through additional experiments, material testing and field trials. As part of this research implementation program, FHWA coordinates three Transportation Research Board (TRB) Expert Task Groups (ETGs) related to asphalt binder, mixture, and advance modeling and comprised of industry, researchers/academia, and Federal and state government representatives. In addition, the FHWA has established a Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) ETG and a Warm-Mix Asphalt (WMA) Technical Working Group (TWG). These groups are tasked with facilitating the implementation of innovative technology for testing and analysis of asphalt binders and mixtures and the development of specification that will be used by state highway agencies to evaluate materials and asphalt pavements. The purpose of this notice is to announce an upcoming solicitation for applications from all sources. The overall objective of the cooperative agreement is to promote the development and deployment of cost effective and innovative asphalt materials, and practices, newly-developed engineering design criteria and standards, and to encourage the use of pavement evaluation technologies to improve performance and extend pavement life. In order to support the objectives of the Pavement Research and Deployment Program, the FHWA will be seeking applications to stimulate the deployment of innovative technology through the development and refinement of procedures for testing and analysis of asphalt materials and pavement construction evaluation. Accordingly, qualifying recipients must demonstrate the ability to promote the development and deployment of new, cost effective and/or innovative asphalt materials and practices to extend pavement life, and performance by providing asphalt material and performance-related testing and analysis services and technical assistance to the FHWA ETG and TWG; promote the deployment of engineering design criteria and specifications for innovative practices and products for use in highway pavements; and encourage the adoption of new, real-time pavement evaluation technology by facilitating the deployment of intelligent compaction (IC) technology throughout the United States. The FHWA will award one cooperative agreement for up to 4 years. The Federal Highway Administration, on behalf of the Office of Pavement Technology (HIPT), anticipates release of the full announcement for this opportunity or about March 20, 2008 at www.grants.gov.