The Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) was a highly focused, ambitious research effort that targeted four specific areas for intense study over the time frame from 1987 to 1993. Asphalt was one of the four study areas. This report describes the Superpave system, the final product of the asphalt research program; and the various parts that comprise its operational characteristics. In all, the final report of the SHRP Asphalt Research Program consists of five parts, the contents of which are briefly described in this report. Reference is made within this report to specific details within the other four parts for readers who want a more detailed description of the methodology, test methods, and theory behind Superpave.

The SHRP Superpave asphalt mixture design system, with its stringent material requirements was specifically developed to produce pavements to meet the expectations of the American public. The Superpave system includes a performance graded asphalt binder system, criteria for aggregate properties, a new mix design procedure using the Superpave gyratory compactor, and refined procedures and requirements for mixture analysis. To date, the Superpave system has primarily been used on medium to high volume roadways, where funding is more readily available. Issues concerning aggregate availability and local economy have limited its use on low volume roads at the local government level. Therefore, the question is: Can the material and testing requirements of the Superpave system be economically applied at the local government level without compromising pavement performance? To answer the above question, the two key requirements of the Superpave system, material requirements and testing requirements, were evaluated.

The final product of the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) Asphalt Research Program is the SUPERPAVE (registered trademark) mix design system for new construction and overlays. This system employs a series of new performance-based specifications, test methods, and practices for material selection, accelerated performance testing, and mix design. This report documents these new specifications and procedures in a format suitable for eventual American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standardization.

This is the summary report for Research Project 0-1250, "The South Central Superpave Center." Initiated and sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, the Superpave Center fostered the implementation of the Superpave system within state highway agencies and the asphalt construction industry. Other regional states also participated in partial support of the Center. The 5-year project started in September 1994 and ended in August 1999. This report summarizes Center activities undertaken over the 5-year period.