Innovation in High-Performance Asphalt Mixes (HPAM) to increase the service life of flexible pavements in Canada

交通运输系统对社会的重要性不亚于人体的动脉、静脉和神经。加拿大拥有发达的交通系统，包括公路、铁路、水路和航空网络。然而，道路网络仍然是最重要的，因为90%的货物都是通过这一系统运输的。在全国范围内，加拿大有超过1，000，000公里的道路，其中包括超过30，000公里的高速公路[1]。 现代道路随着汽车的出现而出现，并随着人类的发展而发展。近几十年来，公路行业发生了积极的变化，以满足可持续发展和降低成本的需要。与此同时，其他与交通相关的行业，如汽车行业和交通控制系统，也加速了技术进步。在这方面，一些国际专家已开始努力确定未来的道路。这条道路将是可持续的、有弹性的、连接的、适应性强的、自我修复的、能源的、智能的和多功能的。为这项研究计划提出的想法旨在提高我们建设未来道路的能力。 在加拿大，开裂是最普遍的路面退化模式。它是由交通负荷，低温引起的，并且可以通过沥青的氧化或当沥青材料表现不佳时加速。在这项研究计划中，将研究四个突破性的想法，以提出新的解决方案，有效地延长路面的使用寿命。其中一些创新是受到人体的启发，特别是它适应，进化和自我治愈的能力。仿生学研究为许多行业开辟了新的创新途径，例如建筑、交通、通信和粘合剂等。该计划将利用自然启发的策略来创造一系列高性能沥青混合料（HPAM）。使用自我修复材料，相变材料和抗氧化剂将被探索，以减少路面开裂的风险，并帮助明天的道路自我修复。还将利用纳米技术的进步来改变粘合剂的分子结构，从而能够针对粘合剂性能的特定方面并配制具有增强特性的HPAM。这些HPAM混合物将被定制以抵抗不同的劣化模式。 最终，该计划将有助于在加拿大建设高度耐用，持久的路面，并培养新一代高素质的工程师，对可持续发展和环境问题敏感。15名研究生和本科生将有机会发展先进路面材料工程和设计方面的技术知识和技能。他们将引领加拿大和世界各地向更智能、更可持续的道路基础设施过渡。

Transportation systems have the same importance for society that arteries, veins and nerves for the human body. Canada has a well-developed transportation system consisting of road, rail, water and air networks. However, the road network remains the most important as 90% of all goods are transported using this system. Nationwide, Canada has over 1,000,000 km of road including over 30,000 km of highway [1]. The modern road appeared with the advent of the automobile and has evolved over the years with the evolution of humanity. In recent decades, the road industry has positively changed to meet the needs of sustainable development and cost reduction. Meanwhile, the technological evolution in other transportation-related industries, such as the automotive industry and traffic control systems, has also accelerated. In this context, several international experts have started working on defining the road of the future. This road would be sustainable, resilient, connected, adaptable, self-healing, a source of energy, smart and versatile. The ideas proposed for this research program aim to advance our ability to build this road of the future. In Canada, cracking is the most prevalent deterioration mode of pavements. It is caused by traffic loading, low temperature and can be accelerated by oxidation of the asphalt or when the asphalt material performs poorly. Four breakthrough ideas will be investigated in this research program to advance new solutions that will effectively extend the service life of pavements. Some of these innovations are inspired by the human body, specifically its capacity to adapt, evolve and heal itself. Biomimetic research has opened up new avenues of innovation for many industries, namely architecture, transportation, communication and adhesives to name but a few. The proposed program will leverage nature-inspired strategies to create a range of High-Performance Asphalt Mixes (HPAM). The use of Self-Healing Materials, Phase-Change Materials and antioxidants will be explored to reduce the risk of pavement cracking and help tomorrow's roads heal themselves. Advances in nanotechnology will also be leveraged to modify the molecular structure of the binder enabling targeting specific aspects of the binder performance and formulating HPAM with enhanced characteristics. These HPAM mixes will be tailored to resist different modes of deterioration. Ultimately, the program will contribute to the construction of highly durable, long-lasting pavements in Canada and to a new generation of highly qualified engineers, sensitive to sustainable development and environmental issues. Fifteen graduate and undergraduate students will have the opportunity to develop technical knowledge and skills in advanced pavement materials engineering and design. They will be poised to lead the transition towards smarter and more sustainable road infrastructures in Canada and around the world.