HIGH-TRAFFIC CHIP-SEAL CONSTRUCTION: THE TULSA TEST ROAD

Chip-seal coats are used to extend pavement service life by reducing water and air infiltration and improving skid resistance. Application of chip seals is usually limited to low-traffic volume facilities because of unknown cost-effectiveness, vehicle damage caused by stones, inattention to proper principles, traffic disruption, and inappropriate design procedures. The causes of the problems that discourage use of chip-seal coats on high-traffic-volume pavements were investigated in this research project such that wider use of this potentially cost-effective construction process can be developed. The first of four experimental field projects designed to demonstrate the potential use and effectiveness of chip-seal applications on high-traffic-volume asphalt concrete pavements is described. The successful construction of the first of these full-scale experiments and the several types of chip-seal treatments placed are documented. Methods used for calibration of equipment, traffic control, design, and construction processes essential for successful application of chip seals on high-traffic pavements are described. In addition, a promising new version of a laboratory test is described as a method of predicting adhesive qualities of chip-seal binders in advance of construction.