This synthesis will be of interest to administrators, including contract and specifications administrators; research, construction, materials, specification, and design engineers; agency project managers and staff; and highway construction contractors. It describes the state of the practice with respect to the development and present status of performance-related specifications (PRS) for highway materials and construction. This report of the Transportation Research Board summarizes the historical events that have prompted U.S. interest in PRS development and describes the underlying concepts. In addition, it describes current practice with regard to PRS implementation and refers to the principal PRS literature with emphasis on performance and cost models. It emphasizes the utility of PRS in providing objective/ rational measures that can be used for special contract conditions, such as incentive or disincentive adjustments.

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 704: A Performance-Related Specification for Hot-Mixed Asphalt provides a proposed performance-related specification (PRS) for hot-mix asphalt (HMA) in the form of the Microsoft Windows-based Quality-Related Specification Software (QRSS). The QRSS is a stand-alone program for Microsoft Windows (versions XP and 7) that employs a database of pre-solved solutions of the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide. The program is capable of (1) calculating the predicted rutting, fatigue cracking, and low-temperature (thermal) cracking of an HMA pavement from the mix volumetric and binder and aggregate properties of the as-designed HMA (typically the job mix formula) and (2) comparing them with predictions calculated from the contractor's lot or sub-lot quality assurance data for the same properties.

The goal in highway construction and operation has shifted from method based specifications to specifications relating desired performance attributes to materials, mix designs, and construction methods. Shifting from method specifications to performance based specifications can work as an incentive or disincentive for the contractor to improve performance or extend pavement life. This literature search was directed at a review of existing portland cement concrete performance specification development, and the criteria that can effectively measure pavement performance. The criteria identified in the literature include concrete strength, slab thickness, air content, initial smoothness, water-cement ratio, unit weight, and slump. A description of each criterion, along with the advantages, disadvantages, and test methods for each are identified. Also included are the results from a survey that was sent out to various state, federal, and trade agencies. The responses indicated that 53% currently use or are developing a performance based specification program. Of the 47% of agencies that do not use a performance based specification program, over 34% indicated that they would consider a similar program. The most commonly measured characteristics include thickness, strength, smoothness, and air content. Lastly recommendations and conclusions are made regarding other factors that affect pavement performance and a proposed second phase of the research is suggested. The research team suggests that a regional expert task group be formed to identify performance levels and criteria. The results of that effort will guide the research team in the development of new or revised specifications.