Current Superpave Mix Design Practice: Survey of the User–Producer Regions

In 2004 and 2005, the National Asphalt Pavement Association and FHWA sponsored a series of workshops around the country to assess the current state of the practice in hot-mix asphalt (HMA), including Superpave implementation. What was working well with Superpave and what aspects were perceived by the users as needing refinement were also discussed. Ultimately, the goal of the workshop series is to develop a best practices guide to share practical experience to further improve the performance of Superpave and HMA. This paper summarizes the key findings of the workshops regarding aggregates, binders, plant production, field placement, mix design, quality control, and performance of Superpave HMA, particularly in terms of changes made to the specifications and practices.