WARRANTED HOT MIX ASPHALT PAVEMENTS: A COOPERATIVE SOLUTION FOR AGENCIES AND INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES

The use of warranties as applied to hot mix asphalt pavements is just beginning in the United States. Whereas manufacturers of most products offer warranties against defects that affect performance of the product, the application of warranties to paving materials in the United States is not yet commonplace. Introduction of warranties has been hampered for both technical reasons and administrational reasons. Technically, the link between manufactured material and performance on the road is not well understood. It was believed that costs would be lowest if the owner agency carried the risk of performance. Therefore, contractors have been content to use method specifications and leave the risk with the owner. Administrative rules have generally prevented warranties on federally funded projects. Administrative barriers have been removed and recently the attitude towards warranties in the USA has been changing. Visits to Europe have investigated methods used to warrant pavements and potential benefits to transportation agencies and the industry have been identified. Technically, the effect on pavement performance of asphalt mixture design, materials and workmanship as well as construction is better understood. This paper discusses recent experiences with the implementation of asphalt pavement warranties in the United States.