The application of various modifiers has emerged in recent years to improve conventional petroleum-based bitumen properties. The natural asphalt called Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA) has been applied very often due to its consistent properties, high viscosity and density, and superior rheological properties, and effective blending with other bitumen. However, most studies on TLA-modified binders always focused on physical and rheological properties in the original (unaged) condition, but the details about aging properties are often neglected. This study aimed to investigate the effect of short-term aging on the physical and rheological characteristics of the 35/50 base bitumen modified by the addition of two different TLA contents. The conventional physical tests and dynamic shear rheological tests were undertaken before and after aging to measure the penetration and softening point, complex shear modulus, and phase angle of the modified binders, as well as to calculate the zero shear viscosity using the Cross model fitting procedure. Based on the results of the above-mentioned comprehensive testing, the effect of aging on TLA-modified binder properties was evaluated using aging indices, as well as a direct comparison of results. The tests revealed that the short-term aging of TLA-modified binders did not worsen or reduce the pavement resistance to permanent deformation or the load-bearing capacity of the asphalt mixture.

Mastic asphalt (MA) has been recognized as one of the most deformation-resistant and thus durable materials for bridge pavement. The performance properties of MA are highly dependent on the physical and rheological properties of the binder applied in the MA mixture. To modify the binder properties to obtain the expected performance of the MA mixture, Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA) is often applied. In this study, the TLA-modified binders to be used in mastic asphalt bridge pavement systems were evaluated to develop the optimum material combination using conventional and performance-related testing. Physical and rheological tests were carried out on TLA-modified binders with the different modifier content in the range of 10–50% on a weight basis. The tests revealed that the TLA modifier addition to the 35/50 base bitumen should be close to the value of 20%. Higher concentrations of TLA may make the binder very stiff and could induce low-temperature cracks in mastic asphalt.

Not many publications are available on using microsimulation models to analyze the feasibility of implementing the dynamic bus lane (DBL) concept. The paper presents the methodology and calibration process used for DBL modeling. For the selected four sites in Rzeszów (Poland), three options were analyzed: no bus lane, standard exclusive bus lane (XBL), and dynamic bus lane. The analyses were carried out using PTV Vissim software with an additional logic script to control the DBL activation. Simulation model parameters were calibrated using a genetic algorithm. The final assessment of individual options was based on the weighted average travel time for all transport modes. The results show that the dynamic bus lane could bring the same benefits to public transport and cause only a slight increase in travel times in private transport compared to XBL. The XBL solution, depending on the site, led to increasing the average travel time in private transport by 12% to 25%, while the dynamic bus lane increased by 1% to 12%. Weighted average travel time per person is proposed as the overall indicator of efficiency. Preliminary analyses show that the bus volume, bus occupancy, routing, and traffic conditions will affect the efficiency of the new solution.

The paper characterizes the porous asphalt mixture used in pavement construction. This kind of pavement can reduce traffic noise and reduce the slipperiness of the road pavement. The effectiveness of the porous asphalt depends on many design and technological aspects, but especially on the air-void clearance in the pavement layer. The paper includes the results of water permeability research based on laboratory tests of specimens from actual road pavement. The research shows the differences between the contamination of the road pavement sections located inside and outside the city. The paper includes recommendations for using porous asphalt based on experiences under Polish conditions.

Mastic asphalt (MA) has been particularly popular in recent years for bridge pavements due to many advantages such as easy application, good waterproofing properties, and high durability. However, the drawback of mastic asphalt in comparison to other asphalt mixtures is its lower resistance to permanent deformation. Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA) is often applied to make mastic asphalt resistant to permanent deformation. Practical experience demonstrates that serious failures may occur if MA pavement design and materials selection is not taken into account sufficiently. Therefore in this study, the influence of two parameters: zero shear viscosity (ZSV) of TLA-modified binder and mastic composition described by the filler–binder ratio, on the permanent deformation resistance of the MA mixture was evaluated. The primary purpose of determining the ZSV of the TLA-modified binders was to evaluate the rutting potential of the binders. The permanent deformation (rutting) resistance of the MA mixtures was evaluated based on static and dynamic indentation tests. The optimum content of TLA in the base bitumen and the optimum filler–binder ratio in the MA mixture were obtained based on multiple performance evaluations for modified binder, mastic and MA mixtures, i.e., 20% and 4.0, respectively.