MnROAD | NRRA | Structure & Teams | Preventive Maintenance Team
Materials-Based Methods to Improve Rumble Strip Durability
Status: Active
MnDOT Contract Number: 1056175
Objective
The impact of VRAM and RPE on CLRS durability will be investigated during this project. The following project objectives are identified:
- Perform a literature and agency review of CLRS specifications, construction methods, and durability studies to identify relevant modifications to project scope and work plan;
- Document “as-constructed” durability effects of CLRS using field cores of newly constructed asphalt pavement sections relative to control (no rumble strip) areas;
- Evaluate the effects of VRAM on rumble strip durability when used as a pre-construction treatment;
- Evaluate the effects of RPE on rumble strip durability when used as a post-construction treatment;
- Document the effects of the above-mentioned materials on rumble strip functionality as a safety tool;
- Produce “best-practice” guidelines for use of supplementary materials that mitigate the potentially detrimental effects of CLRS on pavement durability.
To accomplish the stated objectives, this project will leverage three new construction projects in 2023. The projects are two-lane Wisconsin County Trunk Highways that offer reasonable size and scope to accommodate the research needs while minimizing impact to the respective County Highway Agencies (CHA). Three projects have been identified to capture reasonable differences in mix design materials and contractor paving methods. Letters of cooperation from each respective CHA have been secured and are attached to this proposal as Exhibit A. Each of the three field projects are expected to contain, at a minimum, control sections without rumble strips, rumble strips with no treatment, use of VRAM pre-construction, and use of RPE post-construction.
Tasks
Task 1: Review of literature and agency specification
This task will require a literature search, consultation with industry, and an agency specification review. Materials & methods to improve longitudinal joint performance can be divided into three categories: Construction Methods, Materials During or “Pre-Construction”, Materials Following Construction. Construction Materials (such as VRAM and RPE) can be used independent of Construction Method and are therefore the focus of this study. An additional focus of Task 1 is to identify relevant CLRS specifications based primarily on NCHRP Report 641 and more recent trends; an example is the sinusoidal rumble strip.
- Scheduled Date for Task Final Approval: September 30, 2024
- Deliverable: Literature Review & Work Plan (PDF)
Task 2: Finalize work plan
This project leverages three new construction projects in 2023 on two-lane Wisconsin County Trunk Highways. Road cores taken directly on the centerline joint and associated loose plant-produced mixture will be sampled for each treatment type and in control areas. This task is intended to finalize the testing plan associated with the field samples.
- Scheduled Date for Task Final Approval: September 30, 2024
- Deliverable: Final work plan - See Task 1 Deliverable
Task 3: Execute and document field projects
Design & construction of the projects will follow respective CHA process. Any relevant information or data in this regard will be documented. Nuclear density measurements at the mainline and centerline with companion cores will be taken according to WisDOT Item 460.0105.S for non-VRAM and RPE (pre-application) sections. The cores and associated plant produced mixtures described in Task 2 will also be collected at this time. CLRS will be installed with project funding utilizing local contractors following regional specification.
- Scheduled Date for Task Final Approval: September 30, 2024
- Deliverable: Construction process data will be detailed by onsite technicians and summarized. All relevant data will be housed in Excel-based databases but summarized in reports and update slide decks for the TOC. Deliverable report (PDF)
Task 4: Laboratory evaluation of road cores and mixture samples
Road cores and associated samples will be delivered to the Heritage Research Group laboratory for testing. The following testing protocol is proposed for the road cores. Note that all proposed testing has been demonstrated in prior literature to be relevant to the stated objectives of this project, minimizing experimental development effort. Since the primary distress associated with longitudinal joints is durability (cracking), measurement of rutting resistance or high temperature stiffness is not included in this study. Road cores will be randomly divided into two groupings, with one grouping being tested immediately upon receipt and processing and the second grouping undergoing long term aging according to AASHTO R30. Both groups will ultimately receive the same testing protocol. Mixture samples collected during the project can be used as calibration of the respective field core measurements since volumetrics can be more easily controlled.
Measurement of CLRS functionality through sound measurement will measure impact of selected materials on CLRS function and evaluate whether the treatments improve nuisance noise. A contractor familiar national-scale work on rumble strip performance has been consulted during the drafting of the project proposal (https://illingworthrodkin.com/).
- Scheduled Date for Final Report Approval: April 30, 2025
- Deliverable: The data generated in this task will be first housed in an Excel based database, which in turn will be summarized in the update presentations and final report to the TOC.
Task 5: Compile Report, Technical Advisory Panel Review, and Revisions
The PI will prepare a draft final report, following MnDOT publication guidelines, to document project activities, findings and recommendations. This report will be reviewed by the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP), updated by the PI to incorporate technical comments, and then approved by the Technical Liaison before this task is considered complete. If possible, a TAP meeting will be scheduled to facilitate the discussion of the draft report.
- Scheduled Date for Final Report Approval: September 30, 2025
- Deliverables: A draft final report for TAP review, and a revised report that is technically complete and approved by the TL for publication.
Task 6: Editorial review and publication of final report
During this task, the PI will work directly with MnDOT’s contract editors to address editorial comments and finalize the document in a timely manner. The contract editors will publish the report and ensure it meets publication standards.
- Scheduled Date for Final Task Approval: November 30, 2025
- Deliverables: Final report
Project team
Email the Project Team
Principal Investigator(s): Dan Swiertz, PE; Asphalt Materials, Inc., dswiertz@bitumixsolutions.com; Katie DeCarlo, PhD; Heritage Research Group, kdecarlo@hrglab.com; Signe Reichelt, PE; Behnke Materials Engineering, smreichelt@behnkematerialsengineering.com
Technical Liaison: Tyler Hunt, Michigan DOT, HuntT2@michigan.gov
Project Technical Advisory Panel (TAP): Contact us to join this TAP
- Ashley Buss, Iowa DOT
- Doug Carlson, Liberty Tire
- Stephen Cooper, FHWA
- Ian Gilhooly, Illinois DOT
- Rob Green, Michigan DOT
- Josh Heck, Montana DOT
- Tyler Hunt, Michigan DOT (TL)
- Joseph Podolsky, MnDOT
- Phillip Ruffus, Missouri DOT
- Joel Ulring, MnDOT
- Michael Vrtis, MnDOT