ASTM Highway Standards
In today’s competitive infrastructure landscape, the difference between project success and costly setbacks often comes down to one critical factor: adherence to internationally recognized standards.
The financial implications of non-compliance can be devastating. Research shows that repairs and modifications stemming from substandard materials cost the industry over $1.2 billion annually.
ASTM International’s comprehensive suite of highway standards represents the gold standard in the industry, covering everything from asphalt quality and concrete durability to safety barriers and pavement marking materials.
By supporting the science and technology of highway construction, safety, maintenance and sustainability, ASTM standards ensure that our roadways are reliable, safe and built to last.
The financial implications of non-compliance can be devastating. Research shows that repairs and modifications stemming from substandard materials cost the industry over $1.2 billion annually.
ASTM International’s comprehensive suite of highway standards represents the gold standard in the industry, covering everything from asphalt quality and concrete durability to safety barriers and pavement marking materials.
By supporting the science and technology of highway construction, safety, maintenance and sustainability, ASTM standards ensure that our roadways are reliable, safe and built to last.
Road and Paving Standards
ASTM road and paving standards contribute to the quality of road paving and construction materials across several areas, including bituminous mixtures; asphalt; aggregates; sealants used in the joints of road pavements and bridges; bridges and structures, including bridge deck protection systems; and highway traffic marking materials, lighting and signal materials.
Significant road and paving standards include a test for bituminous materials penetration (D5), which gives guidance for measuring the consistency of semi-solid and solid bituminous materials an method for indirect tensile (IDT) strength of bituminous mixtures (D6931) to help predict asphalt concrete performance and evaluate reasons for fatigue cracking, rutting and moisture susceptibility.
Significant road and paving standards include a test for bituminous materials penetration (D5), which gives guidance for measuring the consistency of semi-solid and solid bituminous materials an method for indirect tensile (IDT) strength of bituminous mixtures (D6931) to help predict asphalt concrete performance and evaluate reasons for fatigue cracking, rutting and moisture susceptibility.
ASTM Highway Standards Impact
For more than 100 years, ASTM International Committee D04 on Road and Paving Materials has played a major role in helping to guide highway construction across the United States.
ASTM standard testing methods ensure your projects meet regulatory requirements the first time, eliminating costly rework and project delays.
Some of the test methods created include the relative density and absorption of fine, coarse and blended aggregate using combined vacuum saturation and rapid submersion (D7370) enables an entire blend to be tested in less than 30 minutes, making it ideally suited for quality control at asphalt and concrete plants.
Supporting these efforts are ASTM highway standards such as a test method for determining the permanent shear strain and complex shear modulus of asphalt mixtures.
ASTM standard testing methods ensure your projects meet regulatory requirements the first time, eliminating costly rework and project delays.
Some of the test methods created include the relative density and absorption of fine, coarse and blended aggregate using combined vacuum saturation and rapid submersion (D7370) enables an entire blend to be tested in less than 30 minutes, making it ideally suited for quality control at asphalt and concrete plants.
Supporting these efforts are ASTM highway standards such as a test method for determining the permanent shear strain and complex shear modulus of asphalt mixtures.
Highway Signs and Markings
Another important focus for Committee D04 is developing standards for materials used in highway signs and pavement markings. Road safety depends upon the availability of readable information both day and night, regardless of the overhead lighting, under a variety of weather conditions and against backgrounds of varying complexity.
Highway Traffic Control Material standards help to achieve these safety goals through the implementation of specification for retroreflective sheeting for traffic control (ASTM D4956).
Retroreflection which focuses on standards for measuring pavement marker performance because visibility is affected by wear, is one of the ways ASTM highway standards contribute to highway safety.
In addition, nighttime driving is aided by an ASTM practice for measuring photometric characteristics of retroreflectors (E809). E809 focuses on the relationship between the vehicle headlamp, retroreflector and the driver’s eye geometry.
Highway Traffic Control Material standards help to achieve these safety goals through the implementation of specification for retroreflective sheeting for traffic control (ASTM D4956).
Retroreflection which focuses on standards for measuring pavement marker performance because visibility is affected by wear, is one of the ways ASTM highway standards contribute to highway safety.
In addition, nighttime driving is aided by an ASTM practice for measuring photometric characteristics of retroreflectors (E809). E809 focuses on the relationship between the vehicle headlamp, retroreflector and the driver’s eye geometry.
- ASTM D4956-19 Standard Specification for Retroreflective Sheeting for Traffic Control
- ASTM D8379/D8379M-21 Standard Practice for Evaluating Nighttime Retroreflective Sheeting Effectiveness Using Positive-Contrast Textual Sign Scenario Performance Analysis
- ASTM D4383-21 Standard Specification for Plowable, Raised Retroreflective Pavement Markers
- ASTM D4505-12(2022) Standard Specification for Preformed Retroreflective Pavement Marking Tape for Extended Service Life
- ASTM D4592-12(2022) Standard Specification for Preformed Retroreflective Pavement Marking Tape for Limited Service Life
- ASTM D7585/D7585M-10(2022) Standard Practice for Evaluating Retroreflective Pavement Markings Using Portable Hand-Operated Instruments
- ASTM D7942-15(2023) Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Pavement Markings in Non Snow Plow Areas
- ASTM D8514/D8514M-23 Standard Specification for Flexible, Retroreflective Sheeting for Use in High Visibility Vehicle Markings
- ASTM D6628-23 Standard Specification for Color of Retroreflective Pavement Marking Materials
- ASTM D4280-23 Standard Specification for Extended Life Type, Nonplowable, Raised Retroreflective Pavement Markers
Highway Construction Standards
ASTM Concrete and Concrete Aggregate standards have also played an important role in the construction and building of highways throughout the world. ASTM Committees C01 and C09 are known for their diverse range of members and extensive partnerships with industry and government organizations.
In the transportation field, Committees C01 and C09 cooperate closely with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
The AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways develops all major engineering standards, guides and policies for the highway program, either as a unit or through its subcommittees.
In the transportation field, Committees C01 and C09 cooperate closely with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
The AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways develops all major engineering standards, guides and policies for the highway program, either as a unit or through its subcommittees.
ASTM Highway Concrete & Cement Standards
ASTM’s concrete standards for the specification for Portland cement (C150) covers the physical and chemical requirements for manufacturing eight types of Portland cement, the basic ingredient of concrete.
ASTM standard C150 is used by manufacturers and purchasers of cement as well as concrete producers, specifiers and users, and is harmonized with the AASHTO specification for Portland cement.
Many ASTM concrete standards contribute to the quality and extended service life of roads and highways. Notable among these is a test for electrical indication of concrete’s ability to resist chloride ion penetration (C1202).
Similarly, the standards developed by Subcommittee C09.26 on Chemical Reactions provide guidelines to test reactions that can cause damage to road surfaces.
International Highway Design and Construction Standards
ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock, which is responsible for more than 350 standards related to the physical and chemical properties and behavior of soil, rock and the fluids contained in them. For highway applications, a number of standards are relevant to their design and construction.
D18 standards guide materials characterization with a test method for particle-size soil analysis (D422), a soils classification system (D2487) and methods for the liquid and plastic limits and plasticity index of soils (D4318), which are used to characterize soils and correlate their behavior.
Other D18 standards relevant to materials performance include methods for soil laboratory compaction characteristics (D698 and D1557) and a test for California bearing ratio of laboratory compacted soils (D1883).
D18 standards guide materials characterization with a test method for particle-size soil analysis (D422), a soils classification system (D2487) and methods for the liquid and plastic limits and plasticity index of soils (D4318), which are used to characterize soils and correlate their behavior.
Other D18 standards relevant to materials performance include methods for soil laboratory compaction characteristics (D698 and D1557) and a test for California bearing ratio of laboratory compacted soils (D1883).
Geosynthetics Highway Construction Standards
The use of geosynthetic technologies in highway systems is also a focus of ASTM efforts. Geosynthetics, a range of polymeric materials and products that provide durability in civil engineering applications, improve the lifespan of roads and other structures by stabilizing foundations, promoting drainage and preventing erosion, generally at a lower cost than other products.
ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has developed more than 140 standards that facilitate the design and selection of geosynthetic materials in the construction and environmental industries.
Such D35 standards as tests for deterioration of geotextiles by exposure to light, moisture and heat in a xenon arc type apparatus (D4355) and for water permeability of geotextiles by permittivity (D4491) help measure the endurance of geotextiles for drainage and erosion control in highway construction projects.
ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has developed more than 140 standards that facilitate the design and selection of geosynthetic materials in the construction and environmental industries.
Such D35 standards as tests for deterioration of geotextiles by exposure to light, moisture and heat in a xenon arc type apparatus (D4355) and for water permeability of geotextiles by permittivity (D4491) help measure the endurance of geotextiles for drainage and erosion control in highway construction projects.
Highway Stormwater Management
Also playing a role in managing our nation’s highways are the standards of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic Piping Systems.
Within F17’s portfolio of standards are specifications that advance the usage of high density polyethylene pipe in municipal stormwater applications, such as culverts for highway drainage.
Among the notable F17 standards in this area, specific to highway construction, is a specification for 12 to 60 in. [300 to 1500 mm] annular corrugated profile-wall polyethylene (PE) pipe and fittings for gravity-flow storm sewer and subsurface drainage applications (F2306/F2306M).
Within F17’s portfolio of standards are specifications that advance the usage of high density polyethylene pipe in municipal stormwater applications, such as culverts for highway drainage.
Among the notable F17 standards in this area, specific to highway construction, is a specification for 12 to 60 in. [300 to 1500 mm] annular corrugated profile-wall polyethylene (PE) pipe and fittings for gravity-flow storm sewer and subsurface drainage applications (F2306/F2306M).
Bridge Construction Standards
Fortifying the United States’ bridges is just one of the focus areas of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel and Related Alloys. A01, ASTM International’s founding committee, has helped specify the steel used in bridge construction for more than 100 years.
ASTM Subcommittee A01.02 on Structural Steel for Bridges, Buildings, Rolling Stock and Ships coordinates today’s standards. These standards include a specification for structural steel for bridges (A709/A709M).
A standard from Subcommittee A01.05 on Steel Reinforcement offers a tool for promoting the long-term strength of bridges and supports the production of high performance, corrosion-resistant steel; the specification covers zinc and epoxy dual-coated steel reinforcing bars (A1055/A1055M).
The standard is beneficial for locations that require high performance corrosion protection of reinforcing steel bars in coastal environments and that use deicing salts on roads, bridges and decks.
ASTM Bridge Standards
- ASTM D3743-84(2000) Standard Terminology Relating To Bridge Deck and Substructure Protection (Withdrawn 2004)
- ASTM D5484-99 Standard Specification for Steel Grid Bridge Flooring (Withdrawn 2004)
- ASTM D5339-94(1998) Standard Practice for Quality Assurance Plan for Structural Steel Fabrication for Highway Structures (Withdrawn 2005)
- ASTM D5212-03 Standard Specification for High Load Rotational Confined Elastomeric Bearings for Bridges and Structures (Withdrawn 2004)
- ASTM D6275-98(2003) Standard Practice for Laboratory Testing of Bridge Decks (Withdrawn 2004)
- ASTM D4788-03(2022) Standard Test Method for Detecting Delaminations in Bridge Decks Using Infrared Thermography
- ASTM D6087-22 Standard Test Method for Evaluating Asphalt-Covered Concrete Bridge Decks Using Ground Penetrating Radar
- ASTM D8138-23 Standard Specification for Preformed Silicone Joint Sealing System for Bridges
- ASTM D8507-23 Standard Specification for High Load Multi-Rotational Disc Bearings for Bridges and Structures
- ASTM D4071-23 Standard Practice for Use of Portland Cement Concrete Bridge Deck Water Barrier Membrane Systems
- ASTM D4580-23 Standard Practice for Measuring Delamination in Concrete Bridge Decks by Sounding
- ASTM D5977-23 Standard Specification for High Load Rotational Spherical Bearings for Bridges and Structures
- ASTM D6153-23 Standard Specification for Materials for Bridge Deck Waterproofing Membrane Systems
- ASTM D3633/D3633M-23 Standard Test Method for Electrical Resistivity of Membrane-Pavement Systems
- ASTM D4014-23 Standard Specification for Plain and Steel-Laminated Elastomeric Bearings for Bridges
- ASTM D6297-25 Standard Specification for Asphaltic Plug Joints for Bridges