This type of research is known as accelerated performance testing (APT) because we apply a design lifetime of truck traffic (typically 10 to 15 years) in 2 years.  Approximately 5 million miles had been safely driven on the NCAT Track by the end of 2008 in order to apply 30 million ESALs over 3 traffic cycles.  An AM driver shift runs from 5:00 AM until approximately 1:30 PM, and a PM driver shift runs from 2:00 PM until approximately 10:30 PM.  Each rig in the 5 truck fleet averages running 680 miles per day in order to damage experimental pavements.  Since all sections are subjected to identical and precisely monitored levels of traffic, it is possible to complete meaningful intrasponsor and intersponsor field performance comparisons.  Running so many miles in a controlled manner creates a great opportunity to conduct heavy truck research, and we are working closely with the trucking industry to meet their research needs in a manner that complements the work we do for the paving industry.

The Program for Advanced Vehicle Evaluation (PAVE) serves as the operational mechanism and outdoor laboratory for Auburn University's Transportation Research Initiative. Justification for the PAVE Research Institute evolved at Auburn as a consequence of the ongoing research program at the NCAT Pavement Test Track. In order to damage experimental pavements on the 1.7-mile test oval, it is necessary to run a fleet of Class 8 heavy trucks over ¾ million miles a year. Trucking operations at the test track provide an excellent opportunity to study issues that are important to the trucking industry in a highly controlled and cost effective manner. The PAVE Research Institute provides vendors with the opportunity to affordably evaluate new technologies while simultaneously providing fleets with reliable and unbiased performance data. Trucking activities on the track also provide expertise and a base of operations that can be utilized for off-track research.  Select reports of past vehicle research efforts are available for download.