19 August 2010

The Olathe City Council recently adopted a new recycled pavement technology with both environmental and cost benefits.  

FRAP, or Fractionated Recycled Asphalt Pavement, is a green technology that recycles aged and worn asphalt pavement on existing asphalt streets, roads and highways and incorporates the material back into the new asphalt.  

The process of combining old and new asphalt, known as Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) has been around for years. However, RAP was generally limited to a mix of 10% recycled to 90% new asphalt. Additionally, RAP produced a larger, courser unfinished gradation. The process of turning the RAP into FRAP is a relatively newer process that breaks down the RAP by crushing and screening into two gradations. This gradation allows the recycled asphalt mix to be utilized in precise volumes specified in the mix design.  

According to Jeff Beal, Olathe project coordinator for street preservation, the new process is making a difference to the already stressed street rehabilitation program. “The price per ton reduction by using a FRAP mix can be up to 30% less than a virgin asphalt mix design,” he said.  

In 2010, the City of Olathe will utilize FRAP mix designs for resurfacing projects on arterial, collector and local streets.

For more information, contact Olathe's Communications Office at (913) 971-8700.