Designing the Pavements of the Future by Terry Mitchell Innovations don't happen overnight. What begins as a theory or idea requires a well-planned and documented program of testing and evaluation to determine if the idea will pan out.
Pavements are no exception.
New theories and models developed by researchers to improve roadway design and construction must be validated through real-world experience. From full-scale test tracks to machines that simulate traffic loads, today's pavement testing will lead to better roads tomorrow. The new age of pavement testing is illustrated by FHWA's recently opened WesTrack. Placing test sections in pavements that carry conventional traffic rather than test vehicles minimizes the cost of loading the pavements although it does generate additional costs for traffic monitoring and vehicle weighing. The program zeroes in on the long-term performance of different pavement structures under various loads, climatic factors, subgrade soils, and maintenance programs.