R02 Technology Ratings Summary

Technology ratings were developed to assist users in gaining a qualitative perspective on how
established the use of the technology is in the U.S. and how the technology relates to the three
aims of the SHRP 2 project. It should be noted that several members of the project team were
not in favor of publishing these ratings. However, the ratings provide a direct linkage between
the three SHRP 2 Renewal objectives and each technology, which may be used as guidance by
users. Further, the ratings were always a topic of conversation when the system was previewed.
The summary presents how the ratings were developed and what the ratings mean.

Rating Development

Ratings for the technologies were initially developed in the Phase 1 work as described in the
SHRP 2 R02 Phase 1 report. After completion of the Phase 2 work which took about three years,
the project principal investigators re-evaluated each technology to develop the ratings provided
in the system based on the Phase 2 work. In September 2011, the project team completed a
qualitative assessment to rank the technologies according to:

Degree of Technology Establishment

Potential Contribution to Rapid Renewal of Transportation Facilities
Potential Contribution to Minimal Disruption of Traffic
Potential Contribution to Production of Long-Lived Facilities

A blank form was distributed to the principal investigators t for each individual to provide their
qualitative input. After all the forms had been received, the ratings were averaged. The project
managers reviewed in detail and adjusted some ratings (particularly those with average between
two levels) based upon judgment and review of individuals rating values. Then these adjusted,
average ratings were distributed amongst the leaders for a final commenting on the average
rating. With further discussion amongst the group and minor revision, a qualitative rating for
each technology for the four categories was finalized.

Individual Technology Ratings

A qualitative rating system was implemented using Very Low, Low, Moderate, High and Very
High. This system allowed the same qualitative ratings for all the categories and also provided a
system that was simpler, easier to understand, and consistent across all categories. The rating
description for each of the four categories is provided below. The ratings for each technology
can be found throughout the website.

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G02 GEOTECHNICAL SOLUTIONS FOR SOIL IMPROVEMENT,
RAPID EMBANKMENT CONSTRUCTION,
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 R02 Technology Ratings Summary

Degree of Technology Establishment

Rating
1 Very Low
2 Low
3 Moderate
4 High
5 Very High
Description
The technology is not used at all in the transportation industry
in the U.S.
The technology has been used minimally in the U.S.
The technology has been used moderately in the U.S.
The technology has been used on more than 30 but less than
100 transportation projects in the U.S.
The technology is routinely used in the transportation industry
in the U.S.

Potential Contribution to SHRP2 Renewal Objective 1: Rapid Renewal of

Transportation Facilities
Rating Description
The technology is slower than traditionally-utilized
1 Very Low technologies in project delivery time, but may contribute
to other SHRP 2 renewal objectives.
The technology does not have the potential to be substantially
2 Low different from the traditionally-utilized technologies in
project delivery time.
The technology has potential to be slightly faster than
3 Moderate traditionally-utilized technologies in project delivery
time.
The technology has potential to be faster than the
4 High traditionally-utilized technologies in project delivery
time.
The technology has potential to be much faster than the
5 Very High traditionally-utilized technologies in project delivery
time.

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G02 GEOTECHNICAL SOLUTIONS FOR SOIL IMPROVEMENT,
RAPID EMBANKMENT CONSTRUCTION,
AND STABILIZATION OF PAVEMENT WORKING PLATFORM
 R02 Technology Ratings Summary

Potential Contribution to SHRP2 Renewal Objective 2: Minimal Disruption of Traffic

Rating Description
The technology cannot be applied without extensive and
1 Very Low
lengthy disruption of traffic 24 hours per day.
The technology requires extensive traffic disruption 24 hours
2 Low
per day, but only for a short period.
The technology requires minor disruption of traffic 24 hours
per day for an extended period, or it requires major
3 Moderate
disruption of traffic only during times of low traffic
volumes, e.g., at night.
The technology requires disruption of traffic only during
4 High times of low traffic volumes, e.g., at night, and the
disruption is only minor or moderate.
5 Very High The technology has potential to avoid all disruption of traffic.

Potential Contribution to SHRP2 Renewal Objective 3: Production of

Long-Lived Facilities
Rating Description
The technology would be expected to shorten the service life of
1 Very Low
facilities compared to what is routinely achieved today.
The technology does not have the potential to significantly
2 Low affect the service lives of facilities, either positively or
negatively.
The technology has potential to slightly increase service lives
3 Moderate
of facilities.
The technology has potential to moderately increase service
4 High
lives of facilities.
The technology has potential to greatly increase service lives of
5 Very High
facilities.

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G02 GEOTECHNICAL SOLUTIONS FOR SOIL IMPROVEMENT,
RAPID EMBANKMENT CONSTRUCTION,
AND STABILIZATION OF PAVEMENT WORKING PLATFORM