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4 CHAPTER 2. TIMELINE OF THE SUPERPAVE PROGRAM The SHRP Asphalt Research Program lasted for a clearly defined period of time from the initial funding in 1987 into 1993. Events and issues prior to 1987 provided the impetus for undertaking the large-scale Strategic Highway Research Program. In 1993, the SHRP research was concluded and the implementation phase began in earnest. These three time periods, pre- research, Research, and Implementation, are explored in this report. This timeline provides a chronological framework for the report as well as reflecting the different activities, issues and needs that existed within these time periods. Subsequent chapters of this report document and explore each of these phases. The first is the pre-research phase from the early 1980s until the initiation of the SHRP Program in 1987. This phase covers the seeds of the research program. It addresses the challenges that were being faced in the early 1980s and how the idea of a focused research effort transformed into the launching of SHRP. The Strategic Transportation Research Study (STRS) report, described in Chapter 3, was prepared during this phase and the groundwork was laid to secure the legislation that funded the program. The SHRP Research Phase occurred from 1987, when the legislation was passed to fund the program, to 1993, the end of the nominal five-year program. Research plans were finalized and contracts were awarded during this time period. The overall management and administration of the research program are explored in this phase, as are the technical deliberations and decisions. Alternate paths that were abandoned for a variety of reasons are identified, as they may be fruitful research paths to explore in the future. In 1993 the early implementation efforts of the SHRP asphalt team transitioned into a sustained implementation phase. Decisions were made early on in this phase as to who would take the lead in promoting implementation and how they would do so. Implementation efforts gradually evolved into acceptance and adoption of the new system. The system is continuing to evolve to this day as research continues to refine the system for the future. 2.1 MAJOR PLAYERS AND ROLES A large number of people were involved in the development and implementation of the SHRP Asphalt Research Program. Inevitably, the contributions of some people will not be mentioned specifically in this report, though every effort has been made to be as thorough as possible. No one was intentionally omitted, but in a program this large and, in some aspects, sparsely documented, it is impossible to mention everyone who was involved. In some cases, specific individuals are not cited by name but are rather referred to by the group or organization in which they were involved; this may be because the exact individual responsible for some decision or suggestion could not be ascertained or because they represent a larger groupâs opinion or involvement. Some of the key groups that will be discussed in this report are enumerated below; other groups and individuals will be introduced in later chapters. Appendix B includes listings of membership in the key groups involved in this program. Appendix C is a photograph album with many pictures of some of the people involved in Superpave research, management and implementation. The individuals involved in the pre-research phase are somewhat more indistinct than the other phases, especially those individuals working behind the scenes to secure funding through
5 the legislation. Those involved in the grassroots support for a national research program are also somewhat obscure. Obviously the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the state Department of Transportation (DOT) leaders had prominent roles to play here. Thomas D. Larson and the Steering Committee for a Strategic Transportation Research Study: Highways were instrumental in laying the foundation for the program. Consultant L. Gary Byrd, the Transportation Research Board (TRB) leaders and staff, and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) leadership were also heavily involved. The research plans were outlined in the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) 20-20 report, entitled Strategic Highway Research Program Research Plans (1). The Advisory Committee for the Asphalt Study developed these research plans, which were put into play in the research phase. During the research phase, the program was managed by the SHRP staff as a unit of the National Research Council (NRC); their role in administration and technical guidance of the program cannot be overlooked. The research teams also had an obvious and significant impact on the conduct and results of the research. The roles of some groups, most notably industry and FHWA, were perhaps less significant during this phase than they should have been. These roles â or lack of roles â are explored in Chapter 4. The field of players expanded significantly as the research phase transitioned into the implementation phase, described in Chapter 5. Industry and the state agencies became increasingly involved. FHWA took the lead in implementing the products of the asphalt research program. When funding at FHWA became a major issue, TRB again assumed a larger role in keeping the program alive through NCHRP research funding and support. Eventually Superpave touched almost every facet of the asphalt community in the United States and abroad as implementation expanded. Again, the players and their evolving roles are explored in later chapters.
