Using reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) has become a cornerstone of modern roadway mix designs as the asphalt paving industry continues pushing for sustainable practices. RAP offers environmental benefits including reduced reliance on virgin binder and aggregate and potential to lower greenhouse gas emissions.   However, when proposed RAP levels rise above 25%, concerns about long-term pavement performance also rise. [...]
Paving industry professionals are increasingly struggling to address two critical priorities: enhancing roadway performance and meeting sustainability goals. With governments, contractors, and material producers under increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, technologies that support energy efficiency and a lower carbon footprint are increasingly in demand.   Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) and warm mix additives have risen in [...]
Balanced mix design, or BMD, focuses on engineering asphalt mixes that meet a variety of performance specifications. Going beyond traditional volumetric requirements, BMD requires thorough benchmarking strategies to produce satisfactory results.  Benchmarking starts with clearly defined performance standards. These include setting guidelines for resistance to cracking, rutting, fatigue, and moisture damage. Standards should reflect local traffic demands, [...]
Asphalt is the most recycled material in the United States according to the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), amounting to nearly 97 million tons of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). As a result, over 90% of new roadway surfaces in the U.S. are built using RAP. This trend is spreading globally as more contractors and transportation agencies explore the [...]