Effect of Material Transfer Devices on Flexible Pavement Smoothness

Abstract

The initial smoothness of a pavement is linked to both future pavement smoothness and pavement life. Research was conducted to study the effects of adding a material transfer device to the paving train. The focus was to determine if the use of a material transfer device improved flexible pavement smoothness. An automated data collection van was used to collect pavement profile data, and smoothness was quantified with the international roughness index in inches per mile. An infrared camera and a rolling wheel were used to detect and locate portions of the mat with temperature differences of more than 10°C (19°F). It was found that a material transfer device significantly improved flexible pavement smoothness. Fewer areas with temperature differences of more than 10°C were noted when a material transfer device was used, and areas with these temperature differences were found to be significantly rougher than locations that had more uniform temperatures. In an additional finding, unrelated to the use of a material transfer device, the extension of the screed to one side of the paver caused a significant increase in roughness in the wheelpath on that side.