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Cooperation and technology transfer in pavement E ngineering. 2012 TRB International Partnership Meeting Leif Bakløkk NPRA. Norway has a long tradition in using American technology and expertise in road engineering. USA has been a world leader in R&D in the area of road engineering
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Cooperation and technology transfer in pavement Engineering 2012 TRB International Partnership Meeting Leif Bakløkk NPRA
Norway has a long tradition in using American technology and expertise in road engineering • USA has been a world leader in R&D in the area of road engineering • Many Norwegians have studied in USA • The Norwegian pavement design system is largely based on AASHO Road Test
The cooperation between Minnesota and Norway is based on: • The generally close relation between Minnesota and Norway • Cooperation agreement (MOU) between MnDOT and NPRA as well as the annual meetings at TRB • Visit/exchange of personell • MnROAD • TERRA • BCRRA (Bearing Capacity of Roads, Railways and Airfields)
What do we benefit from professional cooperation? • Generally higher knowledge/level of expertise. • Larger professional network. It is important to have someone to contact when new problems have to be solved and to know who has the knowledge on the various topics. • Provides us with bigger assurance that the solutions/methods we have chosen are right, and ideas on the possibilities for improvement. • This is well-invested money. In connection to European research it is estimated that for every penny we invest in such cooperation, we get 10 times back.
What have we done last year? • Roger Olson visited Norway and Sweden in May 2011. Tour on Norwegian roads and professional discussion in Trondheim provided the basis for more topics for cooperation. • To persons from Norway participated in TERRA Board Meeting and MnROAD Research Conference in October 2011. Here several «Action Items» for further work were put forward. • All Nordic countries has provided their input to the work Ben Worel is doing on the «Comparison of Pavement Designs».
Frost heave and temperature fluctuations: Topic for cooperation • In Minnesota low-temperature cracking is a big problem. We do not have much problem with this issue in Norway. • In Norway we still have significant problems with frost heave on many roads. MnROAD has data for frost penetration.
Application of GPR for roads is another area that is well-suited for cooperation • 3D-Georadar which is developed in Norway is being tested by FHWA
Other topics of cooperation in road engineering • Design of pavement structures • Pavement performance modelling • Material properties and requirements • Best practice (methods and materials) • Quiet Rumble Strips
The cooperation in the future • Important to have continuity and specific (defined) topics of cooperation • Exchange and visit for students and professionals is also important • TERRA meetings/events • TRB • GPR-seminar April 18th 2012 Trondheim • BCRRA’13 Trondheim 25-27 June 2013