Operations Office

Local Agency Superpave Information

SuperPave asphalt pavement design is the direction the industry and WSDOT are moving. WSDOT expects to be doing SuperPave an all projects by 2004 to 2006. A transition time is already under way.

SuperPave is expected to give superior results, with increased pavement life including reduced problems such as rutting and shoving. It has been thoroughly tested across the country for a number of years.

SuperPave will mean some changes in pavement design, specifications and testing. For the most part, when those changes are understood, they will not mean a significant change in staffing, testing or costs.

One notable exception to that is the "gyratory compactor" volumetric testing that helps assure that SuperPave applications meet their promise for higher quality and performance. It requires a new piece of equipment that costs in the range of $30,000. Agencies who do their own testing, or consultants who assist them, will be faced with the expense of acquiring this equipment.

We are expecting to have a way for local agencies to take a bit more time to make the transition, but not a great deal. WSDOT will have the testing capability for the existing HVEEM designs for only a couple more years. We anticipate the following steps to make the transition as simple as possible.

1. We are planning on providing educational opportunities over the next year, probably across the state. They will likely be two hour sessions to bring agencies and their consultants up to speed with the changes.
   
2. We are looking at assuring that HVEEM related specifications will remain available for at least through 2004 until agencies can achieve the level of knowledge necessary to make the changes to SuperPave.
   
3. We are considering the possibility of excluding volumetric testing on small quantity projects. This will require more discussion.
   

We will be providing more information as time passes to assure that agencies have the latest available information.

The linked article below was published in the May/June 2003 issue of Hot Mix Asphalt Technology, a publication of the National Asphalt Pavement Association, and was adapted from an article that appeared in the February 2003 issue of Public Works magazine. We have received permission from NAPA to provide it to you in this format. It is a topic that should be of great interest to you as the industry and WSDOT transition from traditional pavement designs to SuperPave.

Hot Mix Asphalt Technology Article "It's Not Just for Highways Any More"– MAY/JUNE 2003

For comments or suggestions contact:
Ron Pate
Highways and Local Programs
E-mail:paterd@wsdot.wa.gov