Building on the ASTM definition D8-88, adopted in 1988, and ASTMD6114-97 specification for Asphalt-Rubber binder, adopted in 1998 after 10 years of deliberation, a task force of RPA technical advisors has been formed to pursue standard specifications for a variety of mix designs and construction practices.

The task force led by TAC member Richard Stubstad, Consulpav International, includes RPA president Mark Belshe, FNF Construction; RPA past president Jeffrey Smith, Modified Asphalt Technologies; George Way, ADOT; Joe Cano, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Western Region; also members of the RPA TAC, and Douglas Carlson, RPA director of government relations.

The task force kicked off its efforts at the June ASTM meeting in Seattle. Standard specifications being drafted are for the A-R gap-graded surface courses, open-graded friction courses, stress absorbing membranes and interlayers (SAMs and SAMIs), and the A-R cape seal that was developed in South Africa.

The task force is also pursuing standard practices for A-R hot mix warranties, construction of A-R pavement overlays, mix designs, applicability of A-R hot mix products, and quality control / quality assurance. The group is working through a variety of ASTM D04 subcommittees.

Stubstad said the first round of submissions will take place at the ASTM meeting December 7-9 in New Orleans, LA.

AASHTO names Asphalt-Rubber group

The American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials has created a task force to explore the need for crumb rubber asphalt mixture standards.

Doug Forstie, materials engineer for the Arizona Department of Transportation, will chair the panel. Other members are Tom Malerk, Florida DOT; Katherine Holtz, Texas DOT; J.M. Stout, California; and Sayeed Afsar, New Mexico.

Forstie, whose agency has been using Asphalt-Rubber over 25 years years, said the task force will utilize much of the research conducted by the Pooled Fund Study and the RPA as well as draw heavily on the experience and advances of the major user states.

Public broadcasting to feature A-R A production crew from Louisiana Public Broadcasting, led by producer Randy LaBauve, toured PolyTek Southwest and interviewed Mark Wingfield, plant manager for a program to be televised next year. The LPB group also inspected an International Surfacing Systems' blending unit and an A-R paving operation under the guidance of Andy Zappettini, and interviewed George Way, ADOT, on the engineering properties that are gained with reacted rubber particles in asphalt pavements.