Converting paved roads to unpaved
By: consultants: Laura Fay, Ashley Kroon, Ken Skorseth, Richard Reid, David Jones
Contributors: Kroon, Ashley, consultant; Skorseth, Ken, consultant; Reid, Richard, consultant; Jones, David, consultant; National Research Council (U.S.). Transportation Research Board; National Cooperative Highway Research Program; American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials; United States. Federal Highway Administration
Series: NCHRP synthesis -- 485; Synthesis of highway practice -- 485.
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
Published: 2016
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 88
ISBN-13: 9780309272056; 9781523108909
Subjects: Roads; Design and construction; Gravel roads; Routes; Conception et construction; Unpaved roads; Low volume roads; Resurfacing
Description: "TRB National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 485: Converting Paved Roads to Unpaved explores how common and under what conditions paved roads are converted to unpaved. NCHRP Synthesis 485 found that the practice of converting paved roads to unpaved is relatively widespread; recent road conversion projects were identified in 27 states. These are primarily rural, low-volume roads that were paved when asphalt and construction prices were low. Those asphalt roads have now aged well beyond their design service life, are rapidly deteriorating, and are both difficult and expensive to maintain. Instead, many local road agencies are converting these deteriorated paved roads to unpaved as a more sustainable solution. According to the report, local road agencies have experienced positive outcomes by converting roads. Many local road agencies reported cost savings after converting, compared with the costs of continuing maintenance of the deteriorating paved road, or repaving. One key to successful conversion is early involvement of the public in the planning process. Other techniques that can be used to improve the overall results of a project include treating or stabilizing granular surfaces to control dust, limiting the rate of aggregate loss, and reducing motor grader/blade maintenance frequency. Stabilization procedures can also improve safety, increase public acceptance, and reduce life-cycle costs and environmental impacts after a conversion has taken place."--Publisher's description.
Notes: At head of title: National Cooperative Highway Research Program.

"A synthesis of highway practice."

Includes bibliographical references (pages 28-30).

Access restricted to Ryerson students, faculty and staff.

Research sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials in cocoperation with the Federal Highway Administration NCHRP project 20-05, topic 46-12