Civil Engineering Association

Lessons Learned from the AASHO Road Test and Performance of the Interstate Highway System

The design and construction of the Interstate Highway System (IHS) is one of the most significant and costly public works projects in the history of the United States. Given that the 50th anniversary of the enabling legislation for the IHS occurred during 2006, it is appropriate to reflect on the performance of the system, specifically its pavements. The American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) Road Test was authorized by the IHS legislation and occurred about 5 years after the legislation was enabled. It is also assessed in light of what we know today. Reflections on the performance of IHS pavements and lessons learned from the AASHO Road Test were presented in two sessions organized by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Pavement Management section (AFD00) for the 2006 TRB Annual Meeting. The two sessions were Session 353: Pavement Lessons from the 50-Year-Old Interstate System and Session 470: Views on AASHO Road Test after 50 Years. Each of the presenters was requested to prepare a manuscript for inclusion in this circular. They are included as six papers, not necessarily in the order they were presented in the sessions.