Performance of Recycled Asphalt Shingles in Hot Mix Asphalt: TPF-5(213), Illinois DOT's Project Involvement

US transportation agencies have been increasingly using recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) in hot mix asphalt (HMA) applications over the last 25 years. Initial use of RAS started with recycled post-manufacturers shingles, but now agencies are showing a growing interest in using postconsumer (tear-off) RAS in asphalt applications. Post-consumer asphalt shingles typically have 20 to 30 percent asphalt by weight of the shingles as well as fine aggregates, mineral filler, polymers, and cellulosic fibers from the shingle backing. Each year, an estimated 10 million tons of postconsumer shingles are placed in landfills in the US. Utilization of this waste product presents an opportunity to replace virgin asphalt binder with the RAS binder while taking advantage of the additional fibers which can improve performance. Thus, a material that has historically been deemed a solid waste and has been placed in landfills can decrease pavement costs and reduce the burden on ever-decreasing landfill space.