Evaluate Standard vs Blended PG Binders Performance in NM

The Superpave asphalt binder system was introduced in the 1990s to better handle different temperatures and traffic conditions. Since then, New Mexico has adopted the PG grading system for its roads. The PG binder bump is an effective way to increase the asphalt binder’s grade, improving high-temperature performance and making it suitable for high-temperature ranges. It can be achieved mainly in two ways: Standard PG: this involves blending a base asphalt binder (a soft binder from crude oil refining) with synthetic rubber or other chemical additives at terminals. These additives may include styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) polymer and polyphosphoric acid (PPA). Blended PG: This method uses a certain amount of RAP (Recycled Asphalt Pavements) and can also effectively bump the PG grade of the asphalt binder.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $300,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  R926030

  C06538

• Sponsor Organizations:

  New Mexico Department of Transportation

  1120 Cerrillos Road
  P.O. Box 1149
  Sante Fe, NM  United States  87504-1149

  University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

  Department of Civil Engineering
  Albuquerque, NM  United States  87131-0001
• Managing Organizations:

  University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

  Department of Civil Engineering
  Albuquerque, NM  United States  87131-0001
• Project Managers:

  Henderson, Tesha

• Performing Organizations:

  University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

  Department of Civil Engineering
  Albuquerque, NM  United States  87131-0001
• Principal Investigators:

  Tarefder, Rafiqul

• Start Date: 20260408
• Expected Completion Date: 20280408
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bituminous binders; Blends; Grading; Recycled materials
• Geographic Terms: New Mexico
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01989888
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: New Mexico Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: R926030, C06538
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: May 20 2026 11:10AM