Demonstration and Purchase of PG Binder Testing Equipment

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General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(236)
Former Study Number:
Lead Organization: Connecticut Department of Transportation
Contract Start Date: Feb 01, 2011
Solicitation Number: 1267
Partners: CT, MA, ME, NHDOT, NY, OK, RI, VT
Contractor(s): University of Connecticut
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date: Jun 30, 2013
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Jun 12, 2015
Contract End Date: Jun 30, 2013
Financial Summary
Contract Amount: $216,500.00
Suggested Contribution:
Total Commitments Received: $697,773.00
100% SP&R Approval: Approved
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): James Fallon
James.Fallon@ct.gov
Phone: 860-594-2975
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2010 $5,000.00 James Fallon James Fallon
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2011 $150,000.00 James Fallon James Fallon
Maine Department of Transportation 2010 $5,000.00 Dale Peabody
Massachusetts Department of Transportation 2011 $220,430.00 Stephen Pepin
New Hampshire Department of Transportation 2011 $6,500.00 Denis Boisvert Glenn Roberts
New York State Department of Transportation 2010 $100,000.00 Russell Thielke Gary Frederick
New York State Department of Transportation 2011 $100,000.00 Russell Thielke Gary Frederick
Oklahoma Transportation $0.00
Rhode Island Department of Transportation 2011 $0.00
Vermont Agency of Transportation 2011 $110,843.00 George Colgrove Bill Ahearn

Study Description

To help expedite the implementation of the Superpave methods in the mid-1990's, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) conducted a Pooled Fund project that allowed state transportation agencies to purchase shares in this Pooled Fund. Each share provided the state transportation agency with one full set of Superpave test equipment - both for the asphalt binder and the hot mix asphalt (HMA). The pooling of funds gave the states greater purchasing power that resulted lower costs as compared to states purchasing the equipment individually. The majority of the equipment that was purchased under the Pooled Fund was for testing of asphalt binder in accordance with the Performance Grading (PG) system. The binder testing equipment is highly sophisticated and contains sensitive electronics for making the necessary measurements. As most of this equipment has been in service for approximately 15 years, it is nearing the end of its service life and manufacturers are no longer carrying repair parts. With the advent of new test methods such as the Multiple Stress Creep Recovery Test, older direct-shear (DSR) equipment is either not able to run these tests or the results are suspect because of the limitations of the older equipment. States must replace this equipment in order to adopt these new and improved test methods.

Objectives

To conduct a Pooled Fund project similar to the one conducted earlier by FHWA, here in the northeastern part of the country. In Phase 1, researchers will arrange for participating state DOTs a demonstration of lab equipment options for PG binder testing. Then in a second phase, CAP Lab will facilitate a pooled-fund purchase of asphalt-binder laboratory test equipment for interested states DOTs.

Scope of Work

A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC, one voting member per state) will guide the project. Phase 1 of this project will be used to cover the expenses associated with organization of the equipment demonstration, the costs associated with developing the specifications for the equipment purchase, and other associated costs such as personnel time required to process the purchase orders. TAC members and other State DOT personnel will be invited to attend the equipment demonstration, to be held at the University of Connecticut's Connecticut Advanced Pavement Laboratory (CAP Lab) in Mansfield, Connecticut. TENTATIVE DATES for demonstration (binder-equipment rodeo) and TAC meeting are November 15-17, 2010. Participating states may choose to have the TPF project reimburse travel expenses by committing sufficient additional funds to cover those costs. In Phase 2 of this project, each participating state transportation agency will have the option to commit additional funds necessary to purchase the equipment they determine to be required following the demonstration phase.

Comments

The $38,000 amount represents the costs for UConn/CAP Lab to conduct and manage this TPF project. In addition, participating states that elect to have the TPF project reimburse travel to the demonstration and TAC meeting, will need to estimate their travel expenses. A guidance document will be posted to assist states to estimate their travel cost. Suggested minimum commitment, based on eight states, is $5,000 plus their estimated travel reimbursement for the number of personnel that will attend the equipment demonstration and TAC meeting. Interest among the northeast states prompted development of the project proposal; however the TPF is open to participation by all State DOTs, including those in DC and PR. To help get underway quickly on Phase 1, please commit from FY2010 funds. POSTED_July 9, 2010: Phase 2, which will facilitate the pooled fund purchase of equipment selected by the states, can be funded from FY2010 or FY2011 commitments. Some states are in a position to make Phase 2 commitments now, so at their request we are posting the Phase 2 Proposal to facilitate Phase 2 commitments at this time. For assistance with travel estimation, please contact James Mahoney at CAP Lab/UConn [mailto:mahoney@engr.uconn.edu or at 860-486-9299]. J. Mahoney can email you the travel-cost-estimation spreadsheet. POSTED_October 6, 2010: Uploaded Acceptance Memorandum. Participating states are asked to transfer funds ASAP. POSTED_December 15, 2010: Uploaded three separate work program documents, dated 6/24/2010, included the Proposal package posted earlier. POSTED_April 24, 2014 Uploaded Final Report, Demonstration and Purchase of PG Binder Testing Equipment Phase 1 and 2 dated April 10, 2014 CONNDOT Report No. CT-TPF-5(236)-F-14-2

Documents Attached
Title File/Link Type Privacy Download
TPF-5(236) Closeout Letter TPF-5(236) Closeout Memo - Signed.pdf Memorandum Public
TPF-5(236) Closeout Funding Spreadsheet TPF-5(236) Close Out Funding Spreadsheet 6-2-15.pdf Other Public
Demonstration and Purchase of PG Binder Testing Equipment Phase 1 and 2 - Final Report CT-TPF-5(236)-F-14-2.pdf Final Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: July - September 2012 TPF-5(236) Jul-Sep 2012 Quarterly Progress Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: April - June 2012 TPF-5(236) Apr-Jun 2012 Quarterly Progress Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: January - March 2012 TPF-5(236) Jan-Mar 2012 Quarterly Progress Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: October - December 2011 TPF-5(236) Oct-Dec 2011 Quarterly Progress Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: July - September 2011 TPF-5(236) Jul-Sep 2011 Quarterly Progress Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: April - June 2011 TPF-5(236) Apr-Jun 2011 Quarterly Progress Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: January - March 2011 TPF-5(236) Jan-Mar 2011 Quarterly Progress Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
TPF-5(236) Travel Estimator http://www.ct.gov/dot/LIB/dot/documents/dresearch/TPF-5(236)Pooled_Fund_Binder_Equipment_Purchase_Travel_Cost_Estimator.pdf Work Plan Public
TPF-5(236) Proposal Phase 2 (6-24-2010) http://www.ct.gov/dot/LIB/dot/documents/dresearch/TPF-5(236)Equipment_Purchase_Pooled_Fund_Phase_2_6-24-2010_Proposal.pdf Work Plan Public
TPF-5(236) Proposal Phase 1 (6-24-2010) http://www.ct.gov/dot/LIB/dot/documents/dresearch/TPF-5(236)Equipment_Purchase_Pooled_Fund_Phase_1_6-24-2010_Proposal.pdf Work Plan Public
TPF-5(236) Acceptance Memo http://www.ct.gov/dot/LIB/dot/documents/dresearch/TPF-5(236)_Acceptance_Memo--Electronically_Signed.pdf Memorandum Public
Project Proposal Package (6/24/2010) http://www.ct.gov/dot/LIB/dot/documents/dresearch/TPF-5(236)_Proposal_Package.pdf Work Plan Public
Documents Attached
Title File/Link Type Privacy Download
Demonstration and Purchase of PG Binder Testing Equipment http://www.ct.gov/dot/LIB/dot/documents/dresearch/TPF_Binder_Proposal_Package.pdf Solicitation Public

Demonstration and Purchase of PG Binder Testing Equipment

General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(236)
Lead Organization: Connecticut Department of Transportation
Contract Start Date: Feb 01, 2011
Solicitation Number: 1267
Partners: CT, MA, ME, NHDOT, NY, OK, RI, VT
Contractor(s): University of Connecticut
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date: Jun 30, 2013
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Jun 12, 2015
Contract End Date: Jun 30, 2013
Financial Summary
Contract Amount: $216,500.00
Total Commitments Received: $697,773.00
100% SP&R Approval:
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): James Fallon
James.Fallon@ct.gov
Phone: 860-594-2975
Commitments by Organizations
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2010 $5,000.00 James Fallon James Fallon 860-594-2975 James.Fallon@ct.gov
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2011 $150,000.00 James Fallon James Fallon 860-594-2975 James.Fallon@ct.gov
Maine Department of Transportation 2010 $5,000.00 Dale Peabody 207- 624-3305 Dale.Peabody@maine.gov
Massachusetts Department of Transportation 2011 $220,430.00 Stephen Pepin 857-368-8870 stephen.pepin@state.ma.us
New Hampshire Department of Transportation 2011 $6,500.00 Denis Boisvert Glenn Roberts 603-271-3151 Glenn.Roberts@dot.nh.gov
New York State Department of Transportation 2010 $100,000.00 Russell Thielke Gary Frederick 518-457-4645 gary.frederick@dot.ny.gov
New York State Department of Transportation 2011 $100,000.00 Russell Thielke Gary Frederick 518-457-4645 gary.frederick@dot.ny.gov
Rhode Island Department of Transportation 2011 $0.00
Vermont Agency of Transportation 2011 $110,843.00 George Colgrove Bill Ahearn 802-828-3751 Bill.Ahearn@vermont.gov

Study Description

Study Description

To help expedite the implementation of the Superpave methods in the mid-1990's, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) conducted a Pooled Fund project that allowed state transportation agencies to purchase shares in this Pooled Fund. Each share provided the state transportation agency with one full set of Superpave test equipment - both for the asphalt binder and the hot mix asphalt (HMA). The pooling of funds gave the states greater purchasing power that resulted lower costs as compared to states purchasing the equipment individually. The majority of the equipment that was purchased under the Pooled Fund was for testing of asphalt binder in accordance with the Performance Grading (PG) system. The binder testing equipment is highly sophisticated and contains sensitive electronics for making the necessary measurements. As most of this equipment has been in service for approximately 15 years, it is nearing the end of its service life and manufacturers are no longer carrying repair parts. With the advent of new test methods such as the Multiple Stress Creep Recovery Test, older direct-shear (DSR) equipment is either not able to run these tests or the results are suspect because of the limitations of the older equipment. States must replace this equipment in order to adopt these new and improved test methods.

Objectives

To conduct a Pooled Fund project similar to the one conducted earlier by FHWA, here in the northeastern part of the country. In Phase 1, researchers will arrange for participating state DOTs a demonstration of lab equipment options for PG binder testing. Then in a second phase, CAP Lab will facilitate a pooled-fund purchase of asphalt-binder laboratory test equipment for interested states DOTs.

Scope of Work

A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC, one voting member per state) will guide the project. Phase 1 of this project will be used to cover the expenses associated with organization of the equipment demonstration, the costs associated with developing the specifications for the equipment purchase, and other associated costs such as personnel time required to process the purchase orders. TAC members and other State DOT personnel will be invited to attend the equipment demonstration, to be held at the University of Connecticut's Connecticut Advanced Pavement Laboratory (CAP Lab) in Mansfield, Connecticut. TENTATIVE DATES for demonstration (binder-equipment rodeo) and TAC meeting are November 15-17, 2010. Participating states may choose to have the TPF project reimburse travel expenses by committing sufficient additional funds to cover those costs. In Phase 2 of this project, each participating state transportation agency will have the option to commit additional funds necessary to purchase the equipment they determine to be required following the demonstration phase.

Comments

The $38,000 amount represents the costs for UConn/CAP Lab to conduct and manage this TPF project. In addition, participating states that elect to have the TPF project reimburse travel to the demonstration and TAC meeting, will need to estimate their travel expenses. A guidance document will be posted to assist states to estimate their travel cost. Suggested minimum commitment, based on eight states, is $5,000 plus their estimated travel reimbursement for the number of personnel that will attend the equipment demonstration and TAC meeting. Interest among the northeast states prompted development of the project proposal; however the TPF is open to participation by all State DOTs, including those in DC and PR. To help get underway quickly on Phase 1, please commit from FY2010 funds. POSTED_July 9, 2010: Phase 2, which will facilitate the pooled fund purchase of equipment selected by the states, can be funded from FY2010 or FY2011 commitments. Some states are in a position to make Phase 2 commitments now, so at their request we are posting the Phase 2 Proposal to facilitate Phase 2 commitments at this time. For assistance with travel estimation, please contact James Mahoney at CAP Lab/UConn [mailto:mahoney@engr.uconn.edu or at 860-486-9299]. J. Mahoney can email you the travel-cost-estimation spreadsheet. POSTED_October 6, 2010: Uploaded Acceptance Memorandum. Participating states are asked to transfer funds ASAP. POSTED_December 15, 2010: Uploaded three separate work program documents, dated 6/24/2010, included the Proposal package posted earlier. POSTED_April 24, 2014 Uploaded Final Report, Demonstration and Purchase of PG Binder Testing Equipment Phase 1 and 2 dated April 10, 2014 CONNDOT Report No. CT-TPF-5(236)-F-14-2

Title File/Link Type Private
Demonstration and Purchase of PG Binder Testing Equipment Phase 1 and 2 - Final Report CT-TPF-5(236)-F-14-2.pdf Final Report Public
TPF-5(236) Acceptance Memo Memorandum Public
TPF-5(236) Closeout Letter TPF-5(236) Closeout Memo - Signed.pdf Memorandum Public
TPF-5(236) Closeout Funding Spreadsheet TPF-5(236) Close Out Funding Spreadsheet 6-2-15.pdf Other Public
Quarterly Progress Report: January - March 2011 TPF-5(236) Jan-Mar 2011 Quarterly Progress Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: April - June 2011 TPF-5(236) Apr-Jun 2011 Quarterly Progress Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: July - September 2011 TPF-5(236) Jul-Sep 2011 Quarterly Progress Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: January - March 2012 TPF-5(236) Jan-Mar 2012 Quarterly Progress Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: April - June 2012 TPF-5(236) Apr-Jun 2012 Quarterly Progress Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: July - September 2012 TPF-5(236) Jul-Sep 2012 Quarterly Progress Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Quarterly Progress Report: October - December 2011 TPF-5(236) Oct-Dec 2011 Quarterly Progress Report.pdf Quarterly Progress Report Public
Project Proposal Package (6/24/2010) Work Plan Public
TPF-5(236) Proposal Phase 1 (6-24-2010) Work Plan Public
TPF-5(236) Proposal Phase 2 (6-24-2010) Work Plan Public
TPF-5(236) Travel Estimator Work Plan Public
Title File/Link Type Private
Demonstration and Purchase of PG Binder Testing Equipment Solicitation Public

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