In This Issue...

Highways

Last year, public officials, industry leaders, and other key stakeholders joined together to celebrate the first 50 years of the nation's Interstate highway system.

Heralded as one of the wonders of the United States, [1] the Interstate was celebrated for its many contributions to the nation and the world.

Even before the tributes were completed, however, there was a growing hue and cry for

reform, notably for "fixes" to the funding challenges that are present now, but also which loom large ahead. This look back/look ahead approach is certainly appropriate, given the vital role of the Interstate in personal mobility, quality of life, commerce, national security, safety, and, increasingly, our standing in the rapidly changing world economy.

This issue of the American Concrete Pavement Association’s CONCRETE PAVEMENT PROGRESS explores topics related to the nation's highway system. This issue also touches on a few things we're doing to preserve and place concrete pavements that will not only help meet the current needs, but also things that will help assure a safe, efficient system of highways for future generations.

The U.S. Interstate highway system should double in capacity in the next 50 years to keep the nation competitive on a global scale.

This was just one of the key findings from the first three of six reports written from research directed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

AASHTO will present to the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission for consideration as the latter shapes recommendations to Congress about the future of the nation's surface transportation system. AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley presented research findings from the first three reports at separate meetings recently.

Report #1: An Overview
The following are some additional findings from the first report issued by AASHTO:
......• The United States also should increase funding by nearly double, from $43 billion in fiscal year 2009 to $73 billion by the year 2015.

......• An increase of 3 cents or its equivalent will be needed in 2009 to sustain the highway program at the levels guaranteed in the current highway bill, SAFETEA-LU. This effectively would restore the spending power to 1998 levels. Spending would have to be increased by another 7 cents or equivalent levels between 2010 and 2015. (The “equivalent levels” language is a term of art in the legislative wording; it’s there to reduce resistance to spending increases.) Incidentally, the current funding level of 18.3 cents, the Federal excise tax has been in place since 1996.
......• The cost to improve U.S. highways and bridges to the levels needed this year is $155.5 billion.

The report also underscores the demand on highways, both domestically and worldwide, notably:
......• The 47,000+-mile Interstate highway system represents about 1 percent of total U.S. highway miles, but carries 24 percent of all traffic and 41 percent of large truck traffic.
......• In 1955, U.S. highways carried 65 million vehicles. Today, essentially the same roadways carry 246 million vehicles; the figure is expect to reach almost 400 million by 2055.
......• U.S. population, which between 1955 and 2005, grew by 130 million to 295 million, is expected to increase to 435 million within the next 50 years.
......• China is building a 53,000-mile national expressway system, which when finished in 2020, will rival the U.S. Interstate system in size.  Elsewhere in the world, India is building a 10,000-mile system, and Europe (with a population of 450 million) is spending billions of Euros on a network of highways, bridges, tunnels, ports, and rail lines.



Report #2: Policy Recommendations
The second report also states, contrary to popular belief, "Highway Trust Fund revenues are not declining," according to AASHTO. Fuel tax revenues are still viable, says AASHTO's Horsley. The bad news is purchasing power is eroding and highway spending has exceeded income, which explains why agencies and contractors are perennially behind in the proverbial game of catch-up.

Also in the second report, which focuses mostly on policy recommendations, AASHTO reports the following:
......• Supplement state and local revenues through alternative financing.
......• Reduce annual highway fatalities by 10,000 each decade.
......• Reduce congestion and energy consumption to improve air quality.
......• Double transit ridership over 20 years.
......• Establish a National Rail Transportation Policy for passenger and freight needs.

To achieve goals within the highway arena, AASHTO makes the following highway recommendations:
......• Increase national highway system core program funding.
......• Base project selection on strategic future planning instead of earmarking.
......• Accelerate project delivery.
......• Investigate adjustments to truck size and weight on a regional basis.



Report #3: Increasing Trust Fund Revenues
The third in the series of six reports includes a number of short-term options to increase Highway Trust Fund revenues, notably:
......• A 10-cent fuel tax rate increase (3-cent, plus 7-cent) for a $75 billion program by 2021;
......• A 10-cent rate increase, indexed to Consumer Price Index, for a $82 billion program by 2021;
......• A 5% sales tax on gas (if fuel prices increase 4% annually) for a $85 billion program by 2021; or
......• A 14.2% sales tax on gas in lieu of 28.4-cent gas tax (if fuel prices increase 4% annually) for a $95 billion program by 2021.

The report also outlines a plan to examine alternatives to supplement or replace the fuel tax in the long-term as fuel taxes become less effective as a revenue generator due to, among other things, improved fuel economy of vehicles. Recommended actions include:
......• A viability study of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) taxes, 2010 to 2015;
......• A field test for VMT technologies, 2015 to 2021;
......• An implementation plan, 2021 to 2027; and
......• Transition to a VMT tax, 2027 to 2033.

Click here to read the first report.
Click here to read the second report.
Click here to read the third report

Reports on Deck
The next three reports in the "Transportation/Invest in Our Future" series will examine freight challenges, a conceptual plan to meet transportation needs, and a performance-based and results-driven national surface transportation program.

ACPA’s CONCRETE PAVEMENT PROGRESS will publish synopses of the remaining reports in a future issue. For more information about the AASHTO reports, contact Leif Wathne, P.E., ACPA’s Director of Highways, at 202-638-2272.

Always in demand, ACPA's education & training program is taking to the streets with the latest information to help contractors, agencies, and consultants.

The course offerings include some perennial favorites, as well as a new course aimed at agencies and contractors. Course offerings include:

(New) Contractor/Agency Modular Training — This new program consists of

“must have” information for both contractor and agency personnel. The training modules concentrate on practical solutions to everyday construction-related issues.

Here's a partial list of topics that can be addressed in the course:
• Pavement design fundamentals related to construction operations
• Fundamentals of concrete pavement materials
• Concrete mix design and optimization
• Developing a quality control/quality assurance program
• Slipform paving operations
• Fixed form paving operations
• Curing and texturing concrete pavements
• Jointing and load transfer
• Troubleshooting and problem solving materials and construction issues

For more information about this program, contact Mike Ayers, PhD., ACPA's Director of Education and Training, at 217-621-3438.


(Updated) Concrete Pavements 101: Design, Construction and Rehabilitation of Concrete Pavements — This training presents the theory and practice of designing and constructing concrete pavements. The highly-customized, modular format allows contractors or agencies to fine-tune training to meet their specific needs.

The course is intended primarily for contractors, agencies, or consultants who need in-depth knowledge (or a refresher) in current concrete pavement technology. Both theory and practice are covered in this course, with course materials covering everything from basic definitions to the latest design and construction methods.

The next Concrete Pavements 101 course in the line-up is scheduled in Oklahoma City, Okla., from June 11-13. Click here for a program overview and here for a program brochure and registration information.

For more information about this or other upcoming courses, contact Mike Ayers, PhD., at 217-621-3438.

(Updated) Concrete Pavements 201: Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide for Rigid Pavements — The Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide (M-E PDG) will be finalized soon and likely adopted by AASHTO as an interim procedure. This course is intended primarily for pavement design engineers, traffic and materials engineers, contractors, consultants, and others requiring in-depth knowledge of the procedure and software. To schedule a course in your area, contact Mike Ayers, PhD., at 217-621-3438.


(Updated) Airport Pavement Design Seminar — This popular training program allows project engineers, airport authorities' engineers, FAA project engineers, consultants, and construction/project managers to participate in hands-on training and hear presentations on the various aspects of airport pavement design.

Topics typically include design fundamentals, materials, construction, and rehabilitation. A centerpin of this training also is ACPA’s AirPave software program. For information about the next course, contact Gary Mitchell, P.E., ACPA's Director of Airports, at 704-948-8988.

Click here for more information about ACPA's education and training program, or contact Mike Ayers, PhD., ACPA's Director of Education and Training at 217-621-3438. For more information about ACPA's Airport Pavement Design Seminar, contact Gary Mitchell, P.E., ACPA's Director of Airports, at 704-948-8988.

A retooled, mobile laboratory is helping highway agencies; contractors and other industry partners; and academia improve concrete pavements through innovative testing and other technologies.

The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA's) new Mobile Concrete Laboratory (MCL) is a fully functional laboratory set inside a 50-foot trailer equipped with conventional and innovative fresh and hardened concrete testing equipment.

Lab staff will be available to help state agencies implement self consolidating concrete, the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide testing procedures, and two-lift construction.

The MCL also will continue to support the use of high performance concrete, nondestructive testing, durability testing, and the implementation of performance-related specifications, as established by the existing mobile laboratory.

The initiative aims to bridge the gap between the development of new technology and its implementation into everyday practices.

Among its many stops this year, the MCL will visit ACPA’s annual meeting in Tucson, Ariz., November 27-30. (Click here to see related story below!)

For more information on the MCL program or to schedule a visit to your State, please contact Geoffrey Kurgan (MCL Project Engineer) at 202-366-1335 or Gary Crawford (MCL Project Manager) at 202-366-1286.

ACPA encourages federal, state, municipal and county officials, along with members of the industry and academic community to "save the date" for the Association's 44th Annual Meeting at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Ariz.

The meeting is scheduled from Wednesday, November 28, to Friday, November 30.

High on the list for many participants is ACPA's annual Tech Day event, on Friday, November 30, from 8 a.m. to noon. Tech Day features

The latest ACPA R&T UPDATE provides an overview of pavement surface characteristics, in large part based on a full-scale publication, ACPA's popular "Pavement Surface Characteristics and Guide," by Mark Snyder, P.E., PhD.

A Snapshot View
Current Perspectives on Pavement Surface Characteristics provides an overview of surface texture influences, as well as excellent working definitions and descriptions of microtexture, macrotexture, and megatexture. The four-page R&T UPDATE also includes information about measuring surface texture, roadway friction, roadway noise, and roadway profile. It describes current practices in the United States, specifically those related to safety and friction; noise; and roughness.

The periodical then goes one step further with some perspectives on current practices, information that almost every agency, contractor, or consultant should know.

What's making this series more even more widely read are the ACPA technical staff perspectives, which give the reader not only the basic information, but also some additional depth and breadth in navigating through complex issues facing agencies and roadbuilders alike.

Want the Full Picture?
For those requiring more comprehensive information on the topic, don't miss the chance to order “Pavement Surface Characteristics: A Synthesis and Guide” (EB235P).

This is a must-have resource for transportation planners and construction professionals alike. It includes a thorough introduction that provides a clear overview of the topic and related issues. This 124-page publication, replete with color photos and other illustrations, charts, graphs, and tables, guides the reader through virtually every aspect of pavement surface characteristics, their importance, and how the complex range of variables relate to one another. The publication cost is $32.00 for non-members and $25 for ACPA members.

..

To get your copy of EB235P, go online to view a description and then order by credit card. To order by phone or fax, call ACPA/PCA customer service at 800-868-6733 or send a fax request to 847-966-9666. ACPA members: Please be sure to log in to the members' only area of the ACPA website to obtain special rates.

Public-private partnerships (PPP's) have been the subject of much discussion lately as agencies, contractors, and other stakeholders explore ways to finance highway construction, operation, and maintenance.

CONCRETE PAVEMENT PROGRESS wants to know your views and experiences with PPP's. Please take a couple of minutes to complete this quick and confidential survey about this timely topic.

Overall results of the survey will be reported in a future issue of CONCRETE PAVEMENT PROGRESS. Please know that your contact information is being requested solely for purposes of validation and trend analysis. Your contact information is optional and will not be reported, shared, or distributed for purposes other than that stated above.

Click here to begin the survey!

ACPA is offering a unique sponsorship opportunity in response to Association members requests to increase their company's visibility among members, public agencies, universities, and other readers of CONCRETE PAVEMENT PROGRESSS.

ACPA the following two levels of sponsorship:

Platinum Level ... As a platinum level sponsor, your company will receive top billing as a commercial sponsor of CPP. This includes a display ad (approx. size = 6 in.wide x 2 in. high), as well as your company logo and weblink included on the ACPA website (logo and weblink will appear as a platinum sponsor on the CONCRETE PAVEMENT PROGRESS page of the ACPA website.)

Super Jet Makes its Commercial Debut … If ever there were a case for using concrete pavements, it would be behemoth Airbus 380, which weighs in at 1.2 million lbs (fully loaded).

The gigantor jet was in the news again recently as two A380's landed in the United States as part of a 10-day commercial route proving mission.