Surface treatments seal cracks and can make pavement surfaces more flexible and resistant to further cracking.  Determining when to apply surface treatment, however, can be a problem. The goal of a new WRI remote sensing effort is to make it possible to time application before significant surface cracking develops, yet avoid excessive treatments. 

Under a two-year Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), WRI is partnering with Innova Engineering, LLC, of Navarre, Florida, to develop the Asphalt Surface Aging Prediction (ASAP) remote sensing system.  This first-of-a-kind infrared sensing system will collect spectrographic samples in the field that can be used to predict asphalt aging in a manner similar to proven laboratory test techniques. The fast, non-contact sensing technique will measure specific spectral signatures to indirectly measure the stiffness of the asphalt at the pavement surface.

Innova Engineering will develop the “ruggedized” Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Michelson interferometer spectrometer. 

WRI will conduct asphalt aging tests using laboratory FTIR spectrometers to improve detection of carbonyl content in asphalt pavement and its relationship to asphalt stiffness and aging prediction.  With measurements at different aging times or with a laboratory calibration on the same asphalt, appropriate surface treatment times may be predicted. 

The research team will then work with state and local agencies, industry partners and service providers to field test the ASAP system for determining the structural integrity and life span of asphalt pavement in order to reduce maintenance costs.