The Transportation Materials Resource Center conducts research and outreach on the performance properties of materials and catalyzes their wise and appropriate use in the marketplace.
The Center has four basic missions:
To systematically test, evaluate, develop appropriate guidelines for, and demonstrate acceptable performance of increased use of innovative materials in transportation infrastructure construction and maintenance.
To make information available to State transportation departments, the Federal Highway Administration, the construction industry, and other interested parties.
To encourage the increased use of alternative materials by using sound science to analyze potential long-term considerations that affect the physical and mechanical performance.
To work cooperatively with Federal and State officials to reduce the institutional barriers that limit widespread use of innovative and alternative materials and to ensure that such increased use is consistent with resilience and physical integrity. The Center has a special interest in the long-term physical and mechanical consequences of using innovative and alternative materials. The TMRC has drafted a strategic plan to fulfill these mission objectives.
You can view the strategic plan here.