This report digests individual studies by separate researchers which compared and evaluated: (1) the physical properties and aging characteristics of the asphalt-rubber and asphalt cement binders; (2) Hveem and Marshall mix design methods, and permanent deformation, low temperature cracking and fatigue characteristics for dense graded asphalt-rubber concrete (ARC) and asphalt concrete mixes; and (3) open-graded asphalt-rubber concrete friction courses.

Many of the physical properties investigated in this research program were significantly enhanced by the addition of ground recycled rubber to the asphalt cement binder. These asphalt-rubber mixtures were found to act quite differently from traditional, unmodified asphalt mixtures. However, these results indicate that improved pavement performance can be achieved with asphalt-rubber binder if the design and construction criteria are changed to reflect the unique physical characteristics imparted by these special binders.