Long Term Performance and Acoustic Properties of an Aging Open Graded Friction Course Asphalt Pavement Surface

This paper describes a long term follow up study carried out by the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (BC MoT) on two developmental paving projects constructed in the mid 1990's using Open Graded Friction Course asphalt concrete pavement (OGFC). These projects were on Vancouver Island in a wet/no freeze climate. OGFC pavements have a much coarser gradation, significantly higher air voids, and greater asphalt film thickness than conventional asphalt pavements. Benefits include improved safety due to increased skid resistance, improved surface drainage, reduced glare, and reduced spray during wet conditions. Substantial reduction in ambient traffic noise due to the noise attenuating qualities of OGFC significantly improves driver comfort and reduces driver fatigue. The reduction of noise is also a significant benefit to people living near roadway facilities which have been surfaced with OGFC. The study focuses on two projects constructed in and near Nanaimo BC in 1995, 1996 and 1997. One was constructed in two phases on Highway 19A in the City of Nanaimo. The other project was constructed on Highway 19 which was a new highway built to service the Duke Point Ferry Terminal.