AASHTO Revenue and Competitors

AASHTO created the "Task Force on SHRP Implementation" to take those actions needed to further the implementation of the SHRP research. In 1996, the Task Force created the "Lead State Program" to share collective team member expertise on a formal basis with other states interested in taking advantage of the SHRP research. The Task Force and, by extension, the Lead State Program are scheduled to complete their missions in the year 2000. The purpose of this transition plan is to identify and recommend the institutional framework and supportive system necessary to advance the technology absent the Superpave Lead State Team. It must be noted that the Superpave Lead State Team was not alone in facing the challenge of implementation. The FHWA, through its Office of Technology Application, provided the critical and central institutions needed to facilitate national implementation. Among others, these included Expert Task Groups (ETG's), the Superpave Technology Delivery Team, the Superpave Centers, Mobile Asphalt Laboratories, and a National Pooled Fund Equipment Purchase. As for the Asphalt Industry , they provided training, established User/Producer Groups and actively participated in all other noted activities. The result of these activities has been dramatic. In 1999, the states awarded more than 3,000 Superpave projects, nearly ten times more than just two years previous and representing 46% of the market share. In 2001, the Superpave share of the market is expected to exceed 80%. Unfortunately, in passing the 1998 Surface Transportation Act, Congress did not provide sufficient funding to FHWA to support the Superpave System. At the urging of the Task Force, AASHTO created a new funding and management system, now known as the TRB Superpave Committee. The TRB Committee is charged with providing advice and assistance on the conduct of the Superpave deployment and development program to both AASHTO and the FHWA. The ETG's have been reconstituted and now report to the TRB Committee. Critical linkages and cross membership between the Committee, the FHWA, TRB, NCHRP, the ETG's, Industry, Academia, the Superpave Centers and key AASHTO committees are in place. The TRB Committee has developed a long range research plan through 2005. The resulting enhancements are intended to bring Superpave to maturity. That being an HMA system that integrates the binder and mix requirements into a performance based quality control specification system which will be clearly understood by practitioners, both public and private. While many of the institutional and funding mechanisms needed to bring Superpave to its full maturity are now in place, much remains to be done. An action plan for the Task Force to complete in its final year has been developed. Beyond 2000, the remaining work will need to be guided by the TRB Superpave Committee and supported by all the historic partnering institutions. These include AASHTO, FHWA, TRB, the States, Industry and Academia.