Automated pavement distresses detection using road images remains a challenging topic in the computer vision research community. Recent developments in deep learning have led to considerable research activity directed towards improving the efficacy of automated pavement distress identification and rating. Deep learning models require a large ground truth data set, which is often not readily available in the case of pavements. In this study, a labeled dataset approach is introduced as a first step towards a more robust, easy-to-deploy pavement condition assessment system. The technique is termed herein as the pavement image dataset (PID) method. The dataset consists of images captured from two camera views of an identical pavement segment, that is, a wide view and a top-down view. The wide-view images were used to classify the distresses and to train the deep learning frameworks, while the top-down-view images allowed calculation of distress density, which will be used in future studies aimed at automated pavement rating. For the wide view group dataset, 7,237 images were manually annotated and distresses classified into nine categories. Images were extracted using the Google application programming interface (API), selecting street-view images using a python-based code developed for this project. The new dataset was evaluated using two mainstream deep learning frameworks: You Only Look Once (YOLO v2) and Faster Region Convolution Neural Network (Faster R-CNN). Accuracy scores using the F1 index were found to be 0.84 for YOLOv2 and 0.65 for the Faster R-CNN model runs; both quite acceptable considering the convenience of utilizing Google Maps images.

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This study investigates the performance of eighteen different dense-graded asphalt mixtures paved in Missouri. The sections contain a wide range of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and recycled asphalt shingles (RAS), and different types of additives. The large number of sections investigated and the associated breadth of asphalt mixtures tested provided a robust data set to evaluate the range, repeatability, and relative values provided by modern mixture performance tests. As cracking is one of the most prevalent distresses in Missouri, performance tests such as the disk-shaped compact tension test (DC[T]) and Illinois flexibility index test (I-FIT) were used to evaluate the cracking potential of the sampled field cores. In addition, the Hamburg wheel tracking test (HWTT) was employed to assess rutting and stripping potential. Asphalt binder replacement (ABR) and binder grade bumping at low temperature were found to be critical factors in low-temperature cracking resistance as assessed by the DC(T) fracture energy test. Six sections were found to perform well in the DC(T) test, likely as a result of binder grade bumping (softer grade selection) or because of low recycling content. However, all of the sections were characterized as having brittle behavior by the I-FIT flexibility index. Service life and ABR were key factors in the I-FIT test. Finally, a performance-space diagram including DC(T) fracture energy and HWTT rut depth was used to identify mixtures with higher usable temperature interval (UTImix), some of which contained significant amounts of recycled material.

Highlights The use of waste cooking oil as a recycling agent opens the possibility for the routine design of 60-to-nearly-100% recycled content asphalt paving mixtures. Aging susceptibility of recycled binders with waste cooking oil is higher than virgin binder. Oil has a greater effect on reducing the stiffness of RAP binder than increasing its m-value. Waste cooking oil tended to improve mixture workability and low temperature performance while reducing moisture and rutting resistance. Selecting the optimum oil content as equal to the average oil content based on satisfying the LT and HT PG can assure short-term and long-term performance. AbstractThe environmental and economic benefits of recycling asphalt pavements have received much attention in recent years. Because of the increase in the cost of raw materials and energy carriers, the reuse of large portions of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is critical in reducing both the cost and environmental footprint of asphalt pavements. High-RAP mixtures are more prone to low temperature cracking and poor mixture workability because of the higher stiffness of RAP binder. Recycling agents are one of the additives which are used to improve these deficiencies. However, there is some ambiguity about the optimum content of recycling agent to assure proper performance of recycled asphalt pavement during its service life. The current study used 60% and 100% fractionated RAP with waste cooking oil as a recycling agent and crumb rubber to alleviate the aforementioned problems.Laboratory evaluation showed that increasing the amount of recycling agent in the high-RAP mixtures improved their workability and low temperature performance while decreasing moisture damage and rutting resistance. The long-term susceptibility to aging of recycled binder with the organically-based recycling agent was also investigated. A procedure to obtain the optimum percentage of recycling agent was devised to strike a balance between the performance characteristics of mixtures with a high-RAP content.

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Pre-treatment of ground tire rubber is emerging as a popular method to incorporate rubber particles in dense-graded asphalt mixtures. This study investigates the effects of a chemically engineered Dry-Process Ground Tire Rubber (DP-GTR) modification in asphalt binders and mixtures. The DP-GTR is comprised of rubber particles measuring 400 to 600 µm in diameter (minus #30 mesh) coated with a non-elastomeric liquid. No change in aggregate gradation is necessary in DP-GTR modification of asphalt mixtures. In this study, the effects of DP-GTR modification on binder properties were measured by dynamic shear rheometer, Multiple Stress Creep and Recovery (MSCR), and bending beam rheometer tests. Additionally, mixture properties measured by three cracking tests: Disk-shaped Compact Tension (DC[T]) test, Illinois Flexibility Index, and indirect tensile asphalt cracking test and one rutting test (Hamburg wheel track test) were evaluated. Results showed: (a) 10–12°C bump on binder high temperature performance grade with 10% DP-GTR modification by weight of binder; (b) improvement in non-recoverable compliance in MSCR test indicated higher rut resistance; (c) increase in DC(T) fracture energy at low temperatures; (d) decrease in rut depth; and (e) decrease in flexibility index and cracking test index. Field performance of the chemically treated DP-GTR sections located in different states was examined to address discrepancies observed in the cracking tests. The cracking and rutting performance of all the field sections was good-to-excellent, suggesting that some of the currently popular simple cracking tests may not be able to properly assess the cracking resistance inherent in GTR-modified asphalt mixtures.

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