FINE-TUNING INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

To encourage the use of innovative technologies in concrete pavement, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is testing and evaluating new concrete pavement designs and construction concepts through field projects around the U.S. This article describes the efforts of the FHWA High Performance Concrete Pavement Program, which has the goal of providing long-lasting, economical portland cement concrete pavements meeting the specific performance requirements of various applications. Since the program's inception in 1995, more than 23 projects in 13 States have been constructed or approved. In this article, sections are devoted to program projects relating to joint sealing, fiber-reinforced concrete pavements, durable concrete mixes, alternate dowel bars, and surface texture and noise.