SECTION 4

Effectiveness of Research, Technology Transfer, and Collaboration Activities

FHWA engaged in a variety of outreach and collaboration activities with state owner agencies. These activities included, for example, FHWA loaning devices to five state DOTs for an extended period to let them demo the device and provide feedback on effectiveness and potential improvements. Through these activities, FHWA solicited input on the potential usefulness of the ABQT device. FHWA also demonstrated the ABQT at multiple conferences and workshops.

Activities to advance widespread industry adoption were targeted primarily at increasing state DOTs’ familiarity and comfort with the ABQT device. FHWA lent an ABQT device to several state testing laboratories to use for up to a year. The states that tested the device found value in using it and thought that it gave accurate PGs for their binder samples up to 98% of the time (Dongre et al., 2020). The stakeholders that were more familiar with the device generally had a more positive attitude toward its value in the supply chain.

The owner agencies that tested the device provided useful feedback about making the device easier to use and understand. The major concern that many in the industry had was the lack of aging required on the binder samples for the device to achieve the full PG. Owner agencies were skeptical that the ABQT could capture the low temperature grade of the binder sample accurately without aging; therefore, possible issues could arise from its use. In the future, targeted research to produce technical reports on this specific subject that could be disseminated to the industry would offer reassurance that the ABQT properly identifies PGs for binder samples.

FHWA has made numerous presentations at meetings, conferences, and workshops. Most of the SMEs interviewed knew of the device through these presentations. However, many still viewed the ABQT as a proof-of-concept project as opposed to an actual piece of equipment ready to be adopted and used in the asphalt supply chain.

FHWA has had less direct interaction with private-sector asphalt suppliers and mix plants. Representatives from many of the supplier and mix plant companies attended the conferences and workshops, but they were not the focus of FHWA’s outreach activities. More of these devices need to be put in the hands of DOTs, suppliers, and mix plants for them to gain firsthand experience of its use and value. Programs supporting larger-scale loaning or low-cost leasing of ABQT devices would likely be the most effective way to promote adoption.

Several SMEs said that more input from organizations in the supply chain would have helped refine the ABQT business model, putting less emphasis on the ABQT replacing existing full testing activities and more on it playing a supporting, unofficial certification testing role.

Another major activity that FHWA could undertake to promote the use of the device within the industry is leading round robin testing in preparation for an AASHTO standard specification. The round robin testing program would further increase awareness and familiarity with the device and help quantify any uncertainties associated with using it. An AASHTO standard specification would provide the confidence and acceptance needed for widespread adoption.