This proposal is a follow up to a project initiated in 2003. There are continued needs for training, resolution of implementation issues, and additional researchfor refining Superpave® and other HMA issues that can best be accomplished cooperatively by a regional pooling of resources in the northeastern states. Furthermore, the results of the first year work at CTI have pointed to specific needs forfurther collaborative study. This proposal contains an 18 month plan for a series ofactivities lead by James Mahoney, Dr. Lisa Aultman-Hall and Donna Shea at the Connecticut Transportation Institute. Dr. Jack Stephens will be available as a special advisor on this project. This team can draw on the infrastructure and technicalstrengths of CTI¿s CAP Lab staff, together with the strong training and technical assistance record of the Connecticut Technology Transfer Center staff, to deliver effective coordination of the pavement activities in the northeast. As such, the proposal includes the following activities: development of an Internet-based binder database; analysis of direct tension data gathered by suppliers and transportation agencies; visits to each agency¿s central laboratory; conduct roundtable discussions on pavement issues; development and implementation of an interactive Internet-based communication tool for use by agency personnel in member states; and provide for administrative functions related to coordination. See proposal linked to this solicitation for more detail.

The overall goal of this project is to provide a mechanism to fund regional coordination and technical expertise to address HMA pavement activities and issues. This will ultimately increase the performance and longevity of HMA pavements, as well as theefficiency of handling user-producer issues in the northeastern United States. See proposal linked to this solicitation for more detail.

Over 18 months, under the guidance of the technical advisory committee (TAC), to do the following: 1) Dvelop and implement a web-accessible region-wide asphalt binder database; 2) Analyze binder test data collected to compare the PG grade determined by AASHTO MP-1a test method versus AASHTO M320 method; 3) Personally visiting participating state laboratories for focused lab visits that enable collaborative and constructive information sharing related to HMA testing. (The inclusion of visits to a limited number of producer¿s labs in the northeast may be carried out if so directed by the prohect Technical Advisory Committee); and, 4) Communicate frequently with northeast states and disseminate new information on paving technology and procedures by: a) Developing an interactive Internet-based communication tool, and b) Holding a series of Asphalt Roundtable discussions. See proposal linked to this solicitation for more detail.

Request minimum $10k pledge. Pledges can be split over two fiscal years. Larger states in the northeast are encouraged to pledge a higher amount in order to reach the dollar commitment required for this project. ------------- One of the deliverables of the first 18-months phase of this projet is a Web site that presents information, abstracts and links to pavement information and research pertinent to the Northeast state DOTs. http://www.cti.uconn.edu/ti/pavement/index.htm