Mechanomutable asphalt materials (MAMs) are being developed as a key contribution towards the evolution of smart roads. MAMs are composed ofa matrix of asphalt materials modified with metallicfibres that can be activated with magnetic fields. By controlling the physical domain of the magnetic fields, it is possibleto manage the mechanical performance of MAMs, and consequently transform thepavement into a smart structure that is capable of reacting efficientlyto the requirements of traffic and weather. This paper describes the results obtained from a study conducted using aresonance frequency test to evaluate the mechanical performance of the dynamicmodulus of various sizes of specimens of MAM mortars under the activation of variousintensities of magnetic field. MAM mortars containing two different quantities of metallic fibreswere used to manufacture specimens of two differentsizes that wereevaluated under various temperatures. The findings indicate that thedynamic modulus of the MAMs is affected by both the intensity of the magneticfield applied and the fibre content, but not by the size of the specimen, therefore, just the two first aforementioned variables should be considered in the design of MAMs for the construction of smart roads.

In the coming years, asphalt materials will face significant challenges due to the demand for smart multifunctional materials in transportation infrastructures, designed under sustainability criteria. Asphalt pavements will not only have to contribute towards the provision of an adequate surface for the transportation of different types of vehicles, but will need to do so considering the increased loads that they will have to support, as well as the extreme weather conditions resulting from climate change. These pavements will also need the capacity to interact with autonomous vehicles and provide information to the users and maintenance agencies regarding traffic data or performance levels. This paper describes how mechanomutable asphalt materials (MAMs) could enhance the properties of asphalt materials, enabling their use as a solution for smart infrastructures.

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Truck platooning for the transportation of loads is a strategy recently proposed by the automotive sector to cope with traffic congestion, fuel consumption, and operational costs. This new way of configuring trucks changes the typical pressures pavements structures experience. For this reason, the research efforts of the pavement sector should be aligned with the automotive sector to propose road-friendly platoon configurations. This is one of the objectives of the European project ENSEMBLE. ENSEMBLE, as indicated by its acronym, works on ENabling SafE Multi-Brand pLatooning for Europe. In this context, the present study presents a real scale test done in the Applus IDIADA facilities to evaluate the fatigue behavior of a pavement structure subjected to individual and platoon truck configurations. The effects of parameters such as traffic distribution through the year and by time of day, percentage of platoons, truck loads, number of trucks in platoon configuration, lateral wandering, and inter-truck distances were evaluated. The study’s findings revealed that the reduced rest times between trucks in the platoon configuration reduce the recovery time of the asphalt layers, increasing the fatigue damage to the pavement at high temperature conditions. This underlines the need for further research to allow the proper implementation of truck platoons. For example, research is needed to define strategies to make truck platoon configurations more pavement-friendly and analyze the costs associated with the changes in the required road maintenance/rehabilitation treatments, among others.

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