IDOT Updates Pavement Design Procedures

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) was one of the first state agencies to adopt mechanistic-empirical pavement design procedures for full-depth Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP) in the late 1980s to early 1990s. The advent of new mix designs, technological developments, and improved modeling techniques prompted IDOT to undertake research through ICT to refine and improve these design procedures and develop a mechanistic-empirical pavement design procedure for continuously reinforced concrete pavement.

IHR-39-1,"Validation of Extended Life HMA Pavement Design Concepts," led by Marshall Thompson and Sam Carpenter, and IHR-57, "Evaluation and Implementation of Improved CRCP and JPCP Design Methods for Illinois," led by Jeff Roesler, were the studies conducted by UIUC researchers.

IDOT, in conjunction with the researchers, is working towards implementing these revised design procedures for use in Illinois on the state system. A series of meetings with industry is being held this fall to discuss the proposed procedures and solicit comments. Feedback from industry will be incorporated into the pavement design and selection process. Implementation is expected to occur early in 2010.

Questions about these updates may be directed to Amy M. Schutzbach, P.E., Engineer of Physical Research at IDOT, (217) 782-2631 or amy.schutzbach@illinois.gov.