Battered by weather and increasing traffic loads, asphalt concrete pavements throughout the Nation are wearing out much sooner than expected. The result -- rough pavements, higher maintenance and rehabilitation expenses, and more temporary work zones that slow traffic and endanger workers and motorists.

The solution is to build asphalt pavements designed to hold up better under the weather and traffic conditions found at each project site. That’s where the Superpave system comes in. Developed under the Strategic Highway Research Program, the Superpave system gives pavement designers the tools needed to tailor asphalt mixes to specific traffic loads and climates. Thus, an asphalt mix for an Interstate highway near Chicago will be designed for extremely low winter temperatures and heavy traffic, while a mix for a country road in Louisiana will be designed for hot summers and light traffic.

The goals of the Superpave Lead States Team included assisting in the uniform implementation of the Superpave mix design procedures and providing practical guidance to States constructing Superpave pavements. From 1995-2000, team members also worked to further the development of the Superpave system.

In September 2000, the Superpave Team developed its Transition Plan for transferring its responsibilities to the TRB Superpave Committee. The committee is charged with advising the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and FHWA on the planning and conduct of continuing efforts to implement the test methods, procedures, and other aspects of the Superpave system for materials selection, design, and placement of asphalt paving mixtures.