Expanded Mandate for C-SHRP III

Under C-SHRP III, an expanded T2 mandate is expected to have an important role in further shortening the time for adoption of SHRP products. In particular, the expanded mandate will allow C-SHRP to increase the number of products assessed, which has been shown to advance product implementation.

Over time, SHRP implementation has been integrated into the overall program activities of the FHWA’s Office of Technology Applications. The integration of SHRP implementation activities into the programs of the FHWA makes monitoring and capturing the benefits of SHRP research increasingly challenging. It is also becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish where SHRP ends and other programs/products begin. In the past, C-SHRP has been disciplined to remain focussed upon the original SHRP technology areas and products. However, for technology transfer, continuing this strict discipline poses the risk of missing valuable opportunities to reap the benefits of SHRP, solely by reason of definition. Therefore, technology transfer activities during C-SHRP III will include pursuing priority technology programs of FHWA spawned by SHRP research, but which have progressed well beyond.

An excellent example of the progression of SHRP spawned research was the formation of the AASHTO Lead State Initiative. The Lead State Initiative consists of groups of states with commitment, interest and experience in the use of high pay-off SHRP products. The Lead States act as a resource and provide technical support and guidance for agencies implementing products which are classified in an expanded group of categories than the original SHRP technology areas of Asphalt, Pavement Performance, Concrete and Structures and Highway Operations. The Lead State technology areas are described below.

Alkali-Silica Reactivity

This is a specialized issue in Canada with a limited, but active professional following. Considerable effort was made in this technology area under C-SHRP#2, no further action is considered necessary for C-SHRP#3.

Anti-Icing and Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS)

Modest improvements resulted from the SHRP work relative to Canadian practice. Ongoing efforts in this area will establish demonstration and research projects and ensure the documentation of experience with the tools and technologies. An expanded mandate for technology transfer will allow C-SHRP to tap into FHWA work that has moved beyond SHRP that will benefit Canadian highway agencies. The presentation of showcases to promote awareness of these products will be undertaken.

Concrete Assessment and Rehabilitation

This technology area is of broad interest and applicability throughout Canada. To advance implementation of the related products, C-SHRP will expand its involvement to the assessment stage of technology transfer and leverage a test and evaluation project by FHWA. As with the high performance concrete products, C-SHRP will pursue and promote a detailed synthesis of the performance of products used to date in field experiments.

High Performance Concrete

C-SHRP promoted a partnership between the Concrete Canada Centre of Excellence and FHWA to foster this technology. FHWA work in this area has progressed well beyond SHRP with several demonstration projects under way along with concurrent efforts to revise standards and establish performance characteristics. C-SHRP will broaden its involvement in this area to leverage FHWA work. In particular, it will become important to document and synthesize the variety of field experience with the product. C-SHRP will encourage FHWA to do this or independently undertake the synthesis.

Innovative Pavement Maintenance Materials

Full awareness of these products is yet to be accomplished. Ongoing research in this area will yield new results and technology transfer initiatives by FHWA. C-SHRP#3 will continue to promote awareness of the products among Canadian highway agencies and to leverage the opportunities afforded by FHWA implementation efforts in this area.

Pavement Preservation

As above, full awareness of these products is yet to be accomplished. Work beyond the results achieved during SHRP is under way. The expected results are anticipated to be compatible with C-SHRP’s awareness level of technology transfer.

Superpave

Superpave is the technology area Canadian agencies have found of greatest interest and widest adoption. C-SHRP has been actively involved with research and technology transfer for Superpave and this level of involvement will continue to be necessary. Considerable additional research on all aspects of the Superpave binder, mix design and analysis components is under way. The US National Cooperative Highway Research Program alone has eight projects valued at US$4 million producing enhancements and additional products for Superpave. FHWA work will yield significant new findings and products for mix design in 2000 and for performance analysis in 2005. The C-SHRP test roads, which provided much needed data for developing low temperature design criteria, may continue to be instrumental in calibrating Superpave developments for Canadian conditions. C-SHRP’s technology transfer activities in this area will continue to promote awareness of Superpave developments and foster assessment of the system as a whole.