A new method of paving has been successfully tested in other states and now Arizona is ready to try it to save drivers and the state money and fuel.
The roller is a common sight on highway construction projects, often having to roll over pavement several times to flatten it out. But traditional methods can leave pavement less dense than planned, leading to rapid cracks and holes from heat expansion and heavy weight loads.
But the Arizona Department of Transportation is looking to experiment with a new paving method.
“Intelligent compaction is really a modern, high-tech approach to paving," said Dustin Krugel with ADOT.
“We could have crews out in the field working with these intelligent-compaction rollers, doing the paving and they could be sending real-time data to our people in the office," Krugel said. "Because if you don’t have that right density the pavement won’t last as long.”
By incorporating heat-detection instruments, GPS and on-board computers, live data can result in fewer passes and increased density. While the technology can cost up to $50,000, the state anticipates fuel and repair savings up to $750,000 for large projects.
The first testing is planned for I-40 east of Flagstaff this winter.
