Accelerated Pavement Testing

Accelerated Pavement Testing (APT) is generally defined as a controlled application of a realistic wheel loading to a pavement system simulating long-term, in-service loading conditions. This can be accomplished through the use of a test track with actual traffic and/or a specialized load frame that applies an adjustable weighted load in a linear or circular setup. This allows the monitoring of a pavement system’s performance and response to accumulation of damage within a short time frame. Such information is critical to support informed highway planning, policy and decision making. Experience has shown that APT testing can produce quick, cost-effective, reliable, and beneficial/practical results while also improving the understanding of pavement technology in predicting pavement system performance.