The University of Waterloo Centre for Pavement and Transportation Technology (CPATT) recently released a 150?page report evaluating the performance of interlocking concrete pavement (ICP) in crosswalks. Headed by Professor Susan Tighe, Ph.D., P. Eng., the CPATT research quantifies the structural performance of four typical crosswalk designs and recommends the maximum expected design life for each assembly. Design life is expressed as the total number of 18,000 lb (80 kN) equivalent single axle loads (ESALs) the pavement can withstand before major rehabilitation is required. ESALs standardize or equalize the spectrum of lighter axle loads from cars to that from heavier truck and bus loads into a composite single axle load. ESALs inflict damage to pavements typically measured as rutting in ICPs. The report indicates that pavers set on a bituminous setting bed over a concrete base performed better than the other systems tested.
Download the a summary of the report from the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute here.
