History of polymer modified asphalt (PMA)
for road pavement

1898

Trial use of rubber asphalt in France.
Later, it was considerd in the UK, the NED, the U.S.A.

1945

Trial use of rubber asphalt in UK.

1947

Trial use of synthetic rubber latex modified asphalt in U.S.A.

1952

Trial use of powdered natural rubber in Tokyo and of scrapped rubber in Kobe.

1954

Field trial using powdered natural rubber modified asphalt on national highway No.36 was conducted by Hokkaido Development Bureau.

1955

Full-scale R&D on rubber modified asphalt mixtures was implemented by Hokkaido University.

1960

Commercialized the master-batch mixtures based on natural rubber and asphalt. Natural rubber modified asphalt was launched. (Set up the Manufacturers' standards.)

1962

The constructive R&D on the use of rubber for asphalt pavement was implemented by IISRP (International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers).

1965

Field trial using imported SBR latex was conducted in Sapporo (Direct addition to mixes)

1966

Field trial using imported SBR latex was conducted on national highway No.36 by Hokkaido Development Bureau.
The domestic SBR latex as an asphalt modifier was launched.

1967

The practical manufacturing process for rubber modified asphalt mixtures using domestic SBR latex was developed by Hokkaido Development Bureau.

1968

Following the proposal of FHWA, field trials using SBR latex were conducted in Utah.
“Rubber Asphalt Workshop” was formed in IISRP Far East Section to establish application technology of synthetic rubber for asphalt pavement.

1969

Field trials using SBR latex were conducted by the Ministry of Construction in Chiba prefecture.
Applied rubber modified asphalt extensively on the Tomei Expressway (with both pre-blending and direct addition process).
The international conference of rubber asphalt pavement was held by IISRP.

1970

Resin modified asphalt was launched.

1971

The use of rubber modified asphalt was authorized by Hokkaido Development Bureau.
Large scale trials using rubber modified asphalt were implemented by Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Resin modified asphalt was launched.(Set up the Manufacturers' specifications.)

1975

"SBR latex for plant mixing" booklet was published by IISRP.

1977

"Standard properties of rubber modified asphalt" was divided into pre-blending and direct addition process in the Manual For Asphalt Pavement.
IISRP published a "Abstracts journal of rubber asphalt pavement ".
IISRP broke up a Rubber Asphalt Workshop".

1978

Established Rubber Asphalt Association, a forerunner of JMAA.

1979

The name of "Rubber Asphalt Association" was changed to "Japan Rubber Asphalt Association".

1981

■ Joint research by theMinistry of Construction Public Works Res. Inst. / Inst. of Civil ngineering of The Tokyo Metropolitan Gov. / our association, It initiates a "development of rubber asphalt for wearing and ruttig resistance".

1983

■ As a result of joint research, we have developed a pre-blending type rubber asphalt named "Tsukuba No. 1".

1984

■ Field trial using "Tsukuba No. 1" was carried out in Public Works Research Institute.

1985

■ For the practical apprication of "Tsukuba No1", the collaborative investigation was conducted by Ministry of Construction Public Works Res. Inst. / Inst. of Civil Engineering of The Tokyo Metropolitan Gov. / association.
"Study on practical apprication of rubber asphalt for wearing and rutting resistance" (the 1988 end)

1987

Drainage asphalt pavement was constructed for the purpose of the low noise in around route 7 Tokyo.

1988

○ On the revised “Manual for Design and Construction of Asphalt Pavement”, modified asphalt was categorized as a general paving material.
・ Standard properties were specified separating into rubber modified (Type Ⅰ and resin modified (Type Ⅱ, in which the difference in blending process of pre-blending and direct addition were integrated.
・ Semi-blown asphalt was also categorized as a general paving material.
○ "Pavement Test Methods Handbook" was published
○ "Road surface regeneration method technical guidelines (draft)" was published

1989

Field trials of the drainage pavement using high viscosity modified asphalt were conducted on the Hokuriku Expressway.

1991

◎ Law of "Act on the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources" was promulgated

1992

The name of the association was changed from Rubber Asphalt Association to Japan Modified Asphalt Association.
○ The Manual for Design and Construction of Asphalt Pavement was revised, which included the following changes;
・ Thermoplastic resin was categorized into thermoplastic resin and thermoplastic elastomer.
・ The classification by the type of modifier was changed to the performance based classification.
・ The standard properties of modified asphalt Type Ⅰas unified into one grade.
・ The requirement for viscosity-temperature cure was deleted.
○ "Plant reproduction pavement technology guideline"was published.

1993

The first issue of JMAA magazine “Modified Asphalt” was published.
Field trial of the surfacing with recycled modified asphalt Type Ⅱ was conducted by the Ministry of Construction, Kanto Maintenance Office.

1995

◆ Published “Polymer Modified Asphalt Pocket Guide” by JMAA.

1996

● The standard of Japan Modified Asphalt Association was specified.
○ The technical guideline for drainage asphalt pavement was published and the use of high viscosity modified asphalt was recommended.
・ The standard properties of the binder were specified in the guideline.

1998

● The standards of Japan Modified Asphalt Association was revised.
◆ Published “Polymer Modified Asphalt Pocket Guide (Revised edition)”
・ Changes to the SI units of the standard value.

1999

○ High functional pavement (porous asphalt) was newly added in the design book of Japan Highway Corp. (JH), and use of high viscosity modified asphalt was specified.
■ JH /JMAA initiated a joint research.
・ Development of new test methods to evaluate the properties of high-viscosity modified asphalt.

2001

◎ "Government Order on Road Design Standards"was amended.
◎ "Ordinance on the criteria of the structure of the pavement of the roadway and side strip"was enacted.
◎ "Technical standards for the structure of the pavement" was notified.
○ "Guideline of Pavement Design and Construction" was published and the standard properties of high viscosity modified asphalt, modified asphalt with improved adhesion property and modified asphalt for super heavy traffic were newly added.
◆ Published "Polymer Modified Asphalt Pocket Guide(revised second edition)".
・ Described the standard of high-viscosity modified asphalt.

2003

■ Developed a "method of bending test for modified asphalt".
The bending test was specified as the standard properties for the binder of drainage asphalt pavement.

2004

○ The JH design book was revised.
・ The specification for high viscosity modified asphalt was divided into two types, for general area and for cold area.
・ Binder bending test was introduced to the specification for high viscosity modified asphalt.
○ Published "Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Handbook"

2005

◆ Published "Polymer Modified Asphalt Pocket Guide(revised third edition)".
・ Established a new standard of "high-viscosity modified asphalt(for cold area)".
・ Described the "method of bending test for modified asphalt".

2006

● The standars of Japan Modified Asphalt Association was revised.
○ Published "Pavement Performance Evaluation Method Handbook"
・ Method for evaluating the indication of the performance of the pavement was described.
○ Published "Guideline of Pavement Design and Construction (revised 2006 edition)".
・ The name of the modified asphalt which is modified with rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer was changed to "polymer modified asphalt".
・ Polymer modified asphalt was categorized in the symbol (Grade notation).
・ The standards of polymer modified asphalt was revised.
○ Published "Paving Construction Handbook (2006 edition)".
○ Published "Pavement Design Handbook ".
■ Joint research by Public Works Research Institute / JMAA,(2006 - 2010)
・ Joint research for development of performance evaluation method of pavement and asphalt.

2007

● The standards of Japan Modified Asphalt Association was revised.
◆ Published "Polymer Modified Asphalt Pocket Guide(revised fourth edition)".
・ The revisions of the standard of JMAA was reflected.
○ Published "Pavement Investigation and test methods Handbook"("Pavement test methods handbook" is discontinued.)
○ Published "Waterproof Handbook of deck in road bridges".

2008

○ Published "Pavement Performance Evaluation Method Handbook (Separate)".

2009

JMAA has been newly founded as a corporate organization.

2010

In ISAP 2010 Nagoya meeting, JMAA performed a technical report about the polymer modified asphalt.
◆ Published "Polymer Modified Asphalt Pocket Guide(revised fifth edition)".
・ It changed its name to "polymer modified asphalt pocket guide".
○ Published "Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Handbook (revised 2010 Edition)"
◎ "Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA)" is added to a particular procurement based on the Green Purchasing Law.

2012

■ Announced the results of the joint research which was conducted by Public Works Research Institute and JMAA.

2013

○ Published "Pavement Performance Evaluation Method Handbook(revised 2013 Edition)".
◎ Formulation of "Overhaul implementation guidelines of the road stock (draft)".
○ Published "maintenance and repair guidebook of the pavement(2013 edition)".

2015

◆ Published "Polymer Modified Asphalt Pocket Guide(revised sixth edition)".
・ Additional description of the polymer modified asphalt for WMA and light-colored binder.
・ Additional description of the polymer modified asphal type Ⅲ and type Ⅲ-W.
・ Additional shipments of the transition table and factory map.

2016

■ Joint research on deterioration index and performance specification of polymer-modified asphalt started by Hanshin Expressway Co., Ltd./ Nippon Expressway Research Institute Co., Ltd/Japan Modified Asphalt association (terminated July 2019).
・ Study on porous asphalt mixture (High durability H-grade)
・ Study on Water Resistance of binder course Mixture

2018

○ Published " Pavement Management Guidelines based on pavement Inspection Guidelines ".

In accordance with the revision of the Enforcement Order of the Industrial Safety and Health Law, Asphalt is added to the group of "hazardous materials and deleterious substance to be indicated or notified by name, etc."

2019

○ Published "Pavement Investigation and test methods Handbook" (revised 2019 edition)
・ "Stripping resistance Test Methods for Asphalt Using Silica Sand" found in a joint study with Public Works Research Institute is described in "A064T"
■ Joint research by Nippon Expressway Research Institute Co., Ltd and Hanshin Expressway Co., Ltd. and this association for evaluation methods related to water resistance, started "Joint research on performance specification of modified asphalt" (from October 2019)

● The standards of Japan Modified Asphalt Association was revised. "JMAAS-01: 2019"

2020

◆ Published "Polymer Modified Asphalt Pocket Guide(revised 7th edition)".
・ Added detailed modified asphalt instructions.
・ Added stripping resistance test of bitumen using silica sand (JMAAS-01: regulation in 2019)  to the glossary.
・ Introduction to bitumen's viscoelastic evaluation and the handling of light-color binders and construction considerations
・ Presentation of the findings of the joint research " Joint research on deterioration index and performance specification of polymer-modified asphalt "

 

 

Symbol
◎ represents items relevant to a revision of laws and regulations.
○ represents items relevant to a revision of the standard.
● represents items relevant to the standard of JMAA.
■ represents items relevant to the joint research of JMAA.
◆ represents items relevant to the pocket guide book.