FUNDAMENTAL PROPERTIES OF ASPHALTS AND MODIFIED ASPHALTS.

SEC. 6016. FUNDAMENTAL PROPERTIES OF ASPHALTS AND MODIFIED ASPHALTS. (a) Studies.—The Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Administrator”) shall conduct studies of the fundamental chemical property and physical property of petroleum asphalts and modified asphalts used in highway construction in the United States. Such studies shall emphasize predicting pavement performance from the fundamental and rapidly measurable properties of asphalts and modified asphalts. (b) Contracts.—To carry out the studies under subsection (a), the Administrator shall enter into contracts with the Western Research Institute of the University of Wyoming in order to conduct the necessary technical and analytical research in coordination with existing programs which evaluate actual performance of asphalts and modified asphalts in roadways, including the Strategic Highway Research Program. (c) Activities of Studies.—The studies under subsection (a) shall include the following activities: (1) Fundamental composition studies. (2) Fundamental physical and rheological property studies. (3) Asphalt-aggregate interaction studies. (4) Coordination of composition studies, physical and rheological property studies, and asphalt-aggregate interaction studies for the purposes of predicting pavement performance, including refinements of Strategic Highway Research Program specifications. (d) Test Strip.— (1) Implementation.—The Administrator, in coordination with the Western Research Institute of the University of Wyoming, shall implement a test strip for the purpose of demonstrating and evaluating the unique energy and environmental advantages of using shale oil modified asphalts under extreme climatic conditions. (2) Funding.—For the purposes of construction activities related to this test strip, the Secretary and the Director of the National Park Service shall make up to $1,000,000 available from amounts made available from the authorization for parkroads and parkways. (3) Report to congress.—Not later than November 30, 1995, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress as part of a report under subsection (e) the Administrator's findings on activities conducted under this subsection, including an evaluation of the test strip implemented under this subsection and recommendations for legislation to establish a national program to support United States transportation and energy security requirements. [Subsection (e) was repealed by section 1419(a) of division A of Public Law 114–94.] (f) Authorization of Appropriations.—The Secretary shall expend from administrative and research funds deducted under section 104(a) of this title at least $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996 to carry out subsection (b). * * * * * * * [Section 6020 repealed by section 7(3) of P.L. 104–287 (110 Stat. 3400).] * * * * * * *