Various agencies have begun to research and introduce performance-related specifications (PRS) for the design of modern asphalt paving mixtures. The focus of most recent studies has been directed toward simplified cracking test development and evaluation. In some cases, development and validation of PRS has been performed, building on these new tests, often by comparison of test values to accelerated pavement test studies and/or to limited field data. This study describes the findings of a comprehensive research project conducted at Illinois Tollway, leading to a PRS for the design of mainline and shoulder asphalt mixtures. A novel approach was developed, involving the systematic establishment of specification requirements based on: 1) selection of baseline values based on minimally acceptable field performance thresholds; 2) elevation of thresholds to account for differences between short-term lab aging and expected long-term field aging; 3) further elevation of thresholds to account for variability in lab testing, plus variability in the testing of field cores; and 4) final adjustment and rounding of thresholds based on a consensus process. After a thorough evaluation of different candidate cracking tests in the course of the project, the Disk-shaped Compact Tension—DC(T)—test was chosen to be retained in the Illinois Tollway PRS and to be presented in this study for the design of crack-resistant mixtures. The DC(T) test was selected because of its high degree of correlation with field results and its excellent repeatability. Tailored Hamburg rut depth and stripping inflection point thresholds were also established for mainline and shoulder mixes.

各机构已开始研究并引入性能相关规范 (PRS)，以设计现代沥青路面混合物。最近研究的重点是简化开裂试验的开发和评估。在某些情况下，已执行 PRS 的开发和验证，建立在这些新测试的基础上，通常通过将测试值与加速路面测试研究和/或有限的现场数据进行比较。本研究描述了在伊利诺伊州收费公路进行的综合研究项目的结果，该项目导致了用于设计干线和路肩沥青混合料的 PRS。开发了一种新方法，包括系统地建立规范要求，基于： 1) 根据最低可接受的现场性能阈值选择基线值；2) 提高阈值以说明短期实验室老化和预期长期现场老化之间的差异；3) 进一步提高阈值以考虑实验室测试的可变性，以及现场核心测试的可变性；4) 基于共识过程的阈值的最终调整和四舍五入。在对项目过程中的不同候选开裂试验进行全面评估后，选择盘形紧凑张力—DC(T)—试验保留在伊利诺伊州收费公路 PRS 中，并在本研究中用于设计抗裂混合物。选择 DC(T) 测试是因为它与现场结果的高度相关性和出色的可重复性。还为主线和肩部混合建立了量身定制的汉堡车辙深度和剥离拐点阈值。