PLANNING PHASE

Establishment of the RPF and RPRAC workgroups on pavement design and design traffic and the merger of the two workgroups into a single workgroup on flexible pavement design. The workgroup consisted of representatives from road authorities, consultants, producer bodies and academic as well as research institutions.

Completion of the R&D framework for the revision of the flexible pavement design method. The R&D framework defined 24 research needs in 7 research areas related to ME design. The framework also stipulated that the revised flexible pavement design method consist of two components for structural design, an in-service pavement performance based component and a ME based component.

Completion of a set of 22 project briefs to ensure the alignment of the ME related projects with a consistent objective of delivering an improved ME structural pavement design component.

Presentation of the project briefs to the pavement industry.

Appointment of inception phase project teams to identify and formulate the problems within each of the 22 research needs, investigate potential solutions and develop a project plan to address the problems.

Completion of the inception phase reports.

Completion of the international review of the inception phase reports.

Report on additional requirements for a comprehensive design system.

Appointment of contractors for the main phase of the revision of the South African Road Design System.