Office of Asphalt Pavement Pilot
Projects
PMPC ASPHALT TASK GROUP UPDATES
SPRING 2023 CAL APA MEETING – ONTARIO, CA
CATHRINA BARROS, CALTRANS – OFFICE OF ASPHALT PAVEMENTS

Talking Points
• Brief PMPC Background
• Caltrans Asphalt Related Specifications
• 2023 Standards Implementation Timeline
• PMPC Asphalt Pavement Pilot Projects
• Upcoming PMPC Work Products

What is the PMPC?
The Pavement Materials Partnering Committee
(PMPC) provides a forum for Industry to coordinate
efforts with Caltrans to review and propose
improvements to construction standards used in the
construction and preservation of transportation
facilities. PMPC members support the development
and implementation of specifications and test
methods for:
• Asphalt
• Concrete
• Materials

PMPC Structure
Preservation Subtask
Group
Asphalt Task Group
Foundations Subtask
Group
Concrete Pavements
Subtask Group
PMPC Steering
Committee
Concrete Task Group
PMPC Sponsors
PMPC Executive
Committee
Materials and QA
Subtask Group
Recycling Subtask
Group
Asphalt Subtask
Group
Working Groups

Work Product Expectations
• Street ready assurance
• Performance tracking/management plan – feedback loop
• Consistent implementation – how will this be accomplished?
• Are pilot projects needed?
◦If yes, what is the data collection and evaluation plan?
• Expected research needs

Caltrans Asphalt Related Standard
Specifications
Office of Asphalt Pavements “owns” the following specifications:
◦Section 30, “Reclaimed Pavements”: technical contact – Allen
King
◦Section 36, “General”
◦Section 37, “Bituminous Seals”: technical contact – Steve Lee
◦Section 39, “Asphalt Concrete”: technical contact – Kee Foo
◦Section 92, “Asphalt”: technical contact – Kee Foo
◦Section 94, “Asphaltic Emulsions”: technical contact – Sri
Holikatti

Milestones for Specification Owners
➢After October 2022 - revisions no longer done by RSS but are
directly incorporated into each new annual edition.
➢January 27, 2023 – submitted complete request packages for
standards for following year implementation.
▪A complete package is a signed and sealed Specification Publication
Request, all attachments, including mandatory stakeholder concurrences.
➢January 19, 2024 – post updates to the 2023 updates to the
2023 Standard Specifications to the internet
➢January 22, 2024 – implement the updated 2023 Standards

PMPC Asphalt Pilot Projects
1. Pilot projects are necessary to test new or improved
specifications, materials and test methods.
2. These are sustainable and innovative topics and
supported by the PMPC.
3. The Division of Construction, Pavement Program,
and METS partner with industry to develop these
advancements.
4. Pilot project funding: $8 million annually for HM-1
projects.

PMPC Asphalt Pilot Projects to Date
NO.
Strategies
Number of
Projects
Number of
Districts HM SHOPP
1 Recycled Asphalt Shingles (RAS) 1 1 1 0
2 10% RAP (Recycled Asphalt Pavement) in RHMA 7 6 6 1
3 High RAP (40% Recycled Asphalt Pavement) 5 5 3 2
4 Post Plant Gradation (PPG) 16 7 15 1
5 Aramid Fibers in HMA 3 3 3
6 In-Place Recycling (Cold Central Plant Recycling) 4 3 3 1
7 Statistical Pay Factor (SPF) 11 7 11
TOTALS 47 31 16

Recycled Asphalt
Shingles (RAS)
Reuse shingles from roofs in asphalt
pavement
One day of production or 4,000’ can be
constructed with recycled shingles
One project in El Dorado County, pilot
evaluation and report by UCPRC. One
RAS/RAP project on-going in D-10.

10% RAP in RHMA
Recycled asphalt pavement in RHMA
mixes, limit RAP to 10%
Limit production to 1000 tons for test
section
Seven pilot projects - 2 pilot projects in
construction. Initial stages of data
collection and evaluation.

40% RAP in HMA
Recycle aggregates and reuse oil.
Increase RAP from current 25% allowed
in specifications.
One day of production or 4,000’
constructed with high RAP
Five pilots projects - testing by METS
and UCPRC. Working on data
evaluation.

Post Plant Gradation
(PPG)
PPG is from production of final product.
Gradation done after asphalt binder
determination.
Testing aggregate gradation after
production for the entire project
16 pilot projects – final report
anticipated Spring 2023.

In-Place Recycling
(CCPR)
Mill existing pavement and mix with
other agents, then put it back in-place.
Save GHG emissions and virgin
material; save trucking costs
4 cold central plant recycling projects
planned - 2 projects this FY.

Statistical Pay Factor
Better quality and consistency of hot
mix asphalt; incentive for contractors
Data collection of asphalt for entire
project during construction
11 pilot projects

Aramid Fibers in HMA
(Caltrans Initiative)
Improved fatigue resistance and
improved durability of asphalt overlay.
One day of production to compare
against a control section
3 pilots planned – 2 projects will be
constructed this year. New WG will be
formed under ASTG.

RAP in Chip Seals and
Slurry Seals
Use of RAP in chip seals and slurry seals
Save GHG emissions and virgin material
1 potential pilot in FY 23/24. New work
group under PSTG.

Additional On-Going Work Products
Recycling Subtask Group:
Update test method for FDR-C and update specification for UCS
• Pilot projects in FY 23/24 using Portland Lime Cement vs. Portland Cement
Explore partial depth recycling (PDR) as a surface wearing course
Preservation Subtask Group
2021 Section 37 Fog Seals Update
• Update Section 37-4 to increase fog seals use statewide – changes consistent with
AASHTO guidance
Asphalt Subtask Group
• HMA Acceptance and Pay Criteria for Non-Statistical Pay Factor Projects

Work Products under Development
Asphalt Subtask Group
Implementation of Balanced Mix Design
Aramid Fiber in HMA
Preservation Subtask Group
RAP in Slurry Seals and Chip Seals
Section 37 updates to address FHWA comments
Recycling Task Group
FDR-FA Specification Update
Incorporate PDR nSSP into 2024 Standard Specifications

Questions?