Southwest Pavement Technology Consortium
Arizona’s Pavement Hub for Research and Training
News
SWPT Quarterly Newsletter
Our July 2026 Quarterly Newsletter is now live 📰.
This issue features important updates on our latest activities at SWPT.
Get the details on SWPT’s pavement preservation research project and learn about the SWPT’s Binder and Gradation Task Force meetings.
ASU at TRB 2026 Annual Conference
The Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting is the premier global gathering for transportation professionals, and this year, our graduate students presented their research representing ASU and the SWPT consortium.
Second Test Site Installation in City of Mesa
This month marks a significant step forward in our ongoing research into pavement durability and long-term performance. In a collaborative effort with the City of Mesa, MR Tanner, and Southwest Asphalt, the Southwest Pavement Technology Consortium completed the construction of the new asphalt concrete test section in Mesa.
Projects
Assessment of Thermal and Durability Cracks in Asphalt Pavements in the Southwest Region
🤝Sponsor: Southwest Pavement Technology
📅 2023 – Ongoing
Durability cracking in asphalt pavements is a major deterioration mechanism for asphalt concrete (AC) pavements in areas experiencing temperature and precipitation extremes. In this study, we develop a case study example of thermal and durability cracks widely observed in the Southwest of United States. Significant factors and root causes influencing occurrences of thermal durability cracks are presented using data compiled from forensic investigation of sites, field core characterization and mechanistic assessment of the conventional flexible pavement structures.
Development of Asphalt Concrete Mixture Long-Term Aging Protocol for Arizona’s Climatic Conditions
🤝Sponsor: Southwest Pavement Technology
📅 2023 – Ongoing
Field aging of asphalt concrete (AC) mixtures is a complex phenomenon resulting in significant changes in the rheological properties and chemistry of binders and impacting key performance characteristics of asphalt mixtures. Laboratory simulation of the field aging characteristics of asphalt concrete (AC) mixes is essential in characterizing its long-term performance. Hence, long-term aging protocols have become a key part of the Balanced Mix Design (BMD) framework adopted by many state and local agencies.
Construction Monitoring of Asphalt Pavement using UAV
🤝Sponsor: NCIT
📅 2022 – 2025
The in-place density of asphalt pavements is a key indicator of construction quality, durability, and long-term performance. Pavement construction requires coordination and monitoring to ensure proper compaction which in-turn achieves the targeted in-place density. Two major factors hindering targeted in-place density are uniform mat temperature and uniform rolling pattern. The objective of this study is to develop an automated monitoring protocol with use of aerial images using uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV).
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