The Superpave Mix Design System: Anatomy of a Research Program

The asphalt research program conducted as part of the Strategic Highway Research Program was the most focused asphalt research program ever. Intense research activity over a nominal five-year period at a cost of $50 million dollars led to sweeping changes in how asphalt materials are specified, tested and designed. The products of this research, known collectively as the Superpave mix design system or simply Superpave, are used across the U.S. and internationally. This report describes how such a large-scale research effort was conceived, funded, and managed. It outlines the research and implementation efforts that brought the products into routine use. Lastly, it summarizes some of the key lessons learned in the process of conducting such a large-scale program. The findings outlined in this report were garnered through interviews with over 70 people who were involved in the research and implementation efforts as well as reviewing reports, letters, diaries, meeting minutes and other documents.