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Photo for visual interest. At the South Central Superpave Center, a man sits at a desk with a computer. Other test equipment is on the desk and in the background.

The South Central Superpave Center is fully equipped with Superpave binder and mixture analysis equipment.

South Central Superpave Center

Description

The South Central Superpave Center (SCSC) is designed primarily to assist the state departments of transportation (DOTs) and the asphalt paving industry in the central United States in the implementation of Superpave asphalt mixture design and analysis system. However, certain activities may be nationwide or even international.

Superpave (SUperior PERforming Asphalt PAVEments) is a performance-based system for designing asphalt pavements to meet the demanding roadway needs of the next century. This performance-based approach holds the promise of more durable pavements that can withstand extremes of temperature and heavy traffic. The implementation of Superpave will allow highway agencies to spend scarce public funds more efficiently by extending pavement life and lowering maintenance costs. The bottom line for the driving public is safer, smoother rides on better roads at a lower cost.

Particular regional challenges will continue to evolve as Superpave implementation proceeds. Superpave has already moved beyond the preliminary needs associated with introducing the technology, but is still facing challenges related to field applications and long-term performance. Other issues that will need attention in the near future include implementation of proposed changes in specifications based on current research efforts, certification, and quality control. The SCSC offers continuity, regional and national expertise, and other resources as the DOTs and industry in the central region of the United States deal with Superpave issues.

Mission

The main tasks of the SCSC include the following services to departments of transportation (DOTs) and industry:

  • communication of new findings, advances, and experiences with Superpave on a regional and national level;
  • training of state and industry personnel in various aspects of Superpave;
  • trouble shooting, problem solving, and forensic studies for participating DOTs;
  • continued research and development to further refine Superpave methods, materials, and equipment;
  • performance of ruggedness and precision and bias testing of the new Superpave mixture analysis protocols; and
  • service as a third-party agency for verifying laboratory findings, settling disputes, and evaluating and approving new test equipment.

A long-term vision of the SCSC encompasses the development of a Center of Excellence for asphalt pavement materials technology. This technology is envisioned to support international, state, and local highway specifying agencies as well as international activities of the asphalt paving industry.

Expertise

The SCSC has 13 engineers and scientists with expertise in asphalt, bituminous materials, mixture design, flexible pavement design, aggregates, petrography, asphalt chemistry, experiment design, forensic analysis, recycling, and all other areas of asphalt pavements. Many of these individuals have international reputations in their fields of study. This highly specialized team is available to assist the participating agencies in whatever capacity they are needed.

SCSC personnel serve on and/or chair several national committees (Transportation Research Board [TRB], American Society for Testing and Materials [ASTM], and Expert Task Groups) related directly or indirectly to Superpave.

Cooperative Relationships/Sponsors

The South Central Superpave Center (SCSC) is a partnership between the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) of The Texas A&M University System with additional funding support provided by the Federal Highway Administration.

Five Regional Superpave Centers provide the technical leadership and assistance to ensure that the promise of more durable asphalt pavements becomes a reality. Each Regional Superpave Center is located at a state university recognized for its asphalt research.

A steering committee, composed of representatives of each agency providing support to the SCSC, provides guidance for its operation.

For More Information

Joe Button
South Central Superpave Center
Texas Transportation Institute
Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3135
j-button@tamu.edu

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