NS707 - Research & Innovation

Amount of Bituminous Surface Lost Each Year

Need Statement 707

Problem

As snowplows, traffic, and the elements wear on bituminous surfaces there's no doubt that there's a certain amount of pavement that is lost each year. The purpose of this project would be to quantify that loss per year based on snow and ice operations, AADT, and weathering. It's anticipated that this material loss reduces groove depths for pavement markings and sinusoidal rumble strips, leading to reduced effectiveness and longevity.

Objective

This research would help us better understand our bituminous pavement degradation and along with that better prepare us for planned maintenance operations and pavement marking applications. There have been major concerns revolving around pavement marking groove depths and maintaining appropriate depths for protecting and re-striping wet-reflective pavement markings; this would give us the objective data we need to either revise or maintain these groove depths. Along those lines, this would also help us understand whether or not rumble strips installed on our roadways also lose effectiveness over time as pavement is lost.

Strategic priorities

Innovation & Future Needs: It's anticipated that this material loss reduces groove depths for pavement markings and sinusoidal rumble strips, leading to reduced effectiveness and longevity. This research would help us better understand our bituminous pavement degradation.
Asset Management: This research would help us better understand our bituminous pavement degradation and along with that better prepare us for planned maintenance operations and pavement marking applications.
Safety: Material loss reduces groove depths for pavement markings and sinusoidal rumble strips, leading to reduced effectiveness which raises safety concerns.

Expected outcomes

New or improved technical standard, plan, or specification
New or improved business practices, procedure, or process

Expected benefits

Lifecycle: It will help us better predict the lifecycle of pavement, pavement markings, and rumble strips.
Operations and Maintenance Savings: This research will hopefully lend us insight into how deep pavement marking recesses and rumbles strips need to be installed.
Safety: Improved pavement marking, and rumble strip longevity would help maintain the safety of the traveling public.