In May 2000, the University of Washington (UW) embarked on a project for the development of a set of pavement tools that can be used by a DOT or paving contractor to improve communication, training and design/construction for the pavement topic area. A key is the use of enabling technologies, such as the Internet and digital media (DVDs and CDs). This concept allowed for the organization of these products into a broad-based format that is easy to access, straightforward to use, and upgraded quickly. Funding for these products has come from a variety of sources including: · Washington State DOT (WSDOT) · Maryland State Highway Agency (Maryland SHA) · National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) · Transportation Northwest (TransNow) · Federal Highway Administration

The objective of the Pavement Tools Consortium (PTC) is to develop and use HMA-oriented, computer-based pavement tools. The major focus of the Consortium is the enhancement of pavement-related training and construction. The goal of the PTC is to further develop and provide pavement tools. Examples include: · HMA View Database · Interactive Pavement Training CD/DVD (including the Virtual Superpave Laboratory) · Computer Simulations · Distance Learning Content and Delivery · Computation Software (EverFe, EverFlex, etc.) Identification of specific pavement tools and the necessary development efforts will be coordinated through an annual Consortium meeting and electronic communication. The initial collaborative duration is five years. The number of products and versions developed depends on the total annual funding available.

The primary focus for the PTC includes five related areas. The degree of research and development accomplished for each depends on the amount of funding that is available and the agreed upon priorities. These areas currently are: · HMAView Database · Interactive Pavement Training CD/DVD Products (includes the VSL) · Computer Simulations · Distance Learning Content and Delivery · Computation Software (EverFe, EverFlex, etc.) The Consortium members will be provided all the pavement tools shown above and others as they are produced including new versions. Software tools such as HMAView will be limited to use within the participating Consortium member's agency or company. UW will provide support in the form of documentation, troubleshooting, etc. The individual tools can be viewed as an integrated whole¿the separate pieces can be made to compliment the others (analogous to Microsoft Office which has separate but complimentary tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). As currently envisioned, the pavement tools are sorted by the following categories: HMAView: HMAView would be made available to each Consortium member. The software would not be directly adopted for each agency or contractor but modified to maximize the benefit for all Consortium members. The data that is entered and viewed is currently customizable by the user. Near term, updates will include an extensive mapping capability that allows for GPS location of specific field tests. Consortium members will be given access to source code of HMAView for agency or company specific modifications. See Appendix A for the current status of HMAView. Interactive Pavement Guide: The interactive pavement guide would continue to be expanded and improved. A straightforward process would be created that would allow local content to be added by the Consortium members. This Guide, or versions of it, can be produced in languages other than English. A need for more training in Spanish has been expressed by DOTs in Maryland and Texas. Computer Simulations: The currently available "virtual roller" would be made available to all Consortium members. This will be improved over time. The Consortium members will suggest additional tools, like the roller, that would best serve their training needs. Another planned computer simulation is the VSL. Distance Learning Content and Delivery: Distance Learning (DL) is a rapidly evolving education delivery approach and the other Pavement Tools will significantly aid this process. The UW team will deliver pavement-related content for the members or aid the Consortium members in conducting their own. Such training is intended to supplement existing training venues already available. DL is an exciting and evolving training delivery approach. Computation Software: Software such as EverFe (finite element analysis tool for plain jointed concrete pavements) and EverFlex (finite element analysis tool for flexible pavement) will be provided to Consortium members for their use. Documentation and training will be provided. If related computational tools are developed via the Consortium, those too will be distributed to members. EverFlex, for example, can accommodate non-uniform tire contact pressures.

States interested in joining the study may do so by contacting the lead agency contact for more information. Our goal is to involve a maximum of 10 states that will contribute $20,000 per year for 5 years. This web site provides some examples of the activities under the project: http://hotmix.ce.washington.edu/ptc/