LONG-TERM PAVEMENT PERFORMANCE STUDIES; STRATEGIC HIGHWAY RESEARCH PROGRAM. PROCEEDINGS OF STRATEGIC HIGHWAY RESEARCH PROGRAM AND TRAFFIC SAFETY ON TWO CONTINENTS, GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN, 27-29 SEPTEMBER, 1989

In October 1987, a new research program to study pavement performance was begun in the United States. This program is termed the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) of the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP). This $50 million effort will result in field observations on approximately 1500 pavement test sections throughout North America. More than 22 other countries will also participate by providing information on other pavements into the SHRP database. While the study covers both asphaltic and cement concrete pavements, this paper deals primarily with asphaltic studies, both new pavements and rehabilitated and overlaid pavements. This paper provides the complete details of the experiments themselves and the results of the first 18 months of the study. It includes a description of the international database, which will be developed, as well as the instrumentation and measurement techniques which will be utilized in the research. A complete description is provided of the research experiments and how they were developed. As a result, this paper will outline for the pavement community in Brazil the various aspects of pavement research, which they would have to undertake, should they desire to become involved in the SHRP-LTPP effort.