01373253

Component

Asphalt rubber (AR) has been used in the United States since 1960s. Because the AR binder contains the crumb rubber modifier manufactured from waste tires, it has significant environmental advantages. Over the years, laboratory and field performances have shown that the rubberized hot mix asphalt (RHMA) using AR can extend pavement life, resist reflective cracking, and reduce noise. This paper evaluates the cost benefits of using AR hot mixes using current cost and performance data with the life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) approach. In order to obtain the true performance of the asphalt rubber hot mix asphalt, the Caltrans project database was searched for RHMA applications. Total 126 asphalt rubber projects from Caltrans 12 districts over the last 15 years have been located and detailed plans were evaluated. The treatment life was estimated from the start of a project until the next surface treatment on the same project location. The cost information was from the Caltrans office of engineer¡¯s cost bidding website. The life cycle cost analysis of each project location has been conducted using the current Caltrans LCCA approach under local traffic and climate conditions. The Caltrans LCCA was based on the FHWA RealCost procedure and using the California's local data. This paper presents the Caltrans LCCA results considering both agency costs and user costs. Both deterministic and probabilistic results show that RHMA are more cost effective than conventional HMA in most scenarios.

01362476

12-0895

English

23p

2012

Transportation Research Board 91st Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Asphalt pavements; Asphalt rubber; Hot mix asphalt; Life cycle costing; Pavement performance

California

Economics; Highways; Materials; Pavements; I10: Economics and Administration; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2012 Paper #12-0895

TRIS, TRB

Feb 8 2012 4:58PM