For 65 years "KazdorNII" has been initiating the construction and monitoring more than 200 experimental sections on the highways of Kazakhstan. These sections are used to test advanced road construction materials, new technologies and scientific developments of the Institute. Over the past two years, 29 new experimental sections have been built in the country. Their constant monitoring helping experts to test the effectiveness of modern solutions in real operating conditions on a prolonged basis.

Today, with the development of the high technologies on the global scale, improving the quality and safety of highways cannot do without the introduction of innovations. However, practice has shown that not all innovations are effective and equally good for roads in different countries and climatic zones.

To ensure that road builders do not make costly mistakes, the Committee of Highways commissioned KazdorNII to find a solution that gives contractors access to verified information on reliable and suitable solutions.

As a result, in 2024, the online platform “Unified base of road construction materials and new technologies rcmbase.qazjolgzi.kz” was launched for pilot operation, markedly changing approaches to the procedures for testing and introducing new and innovative materials and technologies.

"New materials and technologies are first registered in the Registry of New Technologies of the Unified Base, and then tested and studied by the collegial Technical Council for the introduction and development of new technologies and materials under the Committee of Highways of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The registry includes detailed information about the manufacturer, the supplier, the area of application, etc. The technical council includes road construction experts, scientists, designers, representatives of the authorized state body, “QazAvtoJol”, Quality Center, business community and public organizations”, says Meiramgul Kabdygalieva, Director of the Department of Road Materials and New Technologies of KazdorNII Meiramgul Kabdygalieva.

In 2023-2024, 12 meetings of the Technical Council were held, during which 138 new technologies and materials were introduced into the register of the Unified Base. Part of them - 28 (including 7 developments of Kazakhstani scientists) - have “yellow” status. It means that the new products are undergoing the phase of approbation on pilot sections.

They include innovative sealants, impregnating compounds, additives, adhesive additives, polymer soil stabilizers and modifiers of soil, bitumen and asphalt concrete mixtures, geosynthetic materials, polymer-reinforcing Concrete admixtures, as well as the technology of cold asphalt, resistant paint for road markings, reinforced concrete products and anti-icing eco-reagent.

The decision on the definition of the pilot section is made following the meetings of the technical council. The Committee of Highways ordered NC “KazAutoZhol” to determine the number of sections where it is possible to conduct tests. The choice of suitable locations are made by suppliers of materials, taking into account local climatic and hydrogeological conditions. For this purpose, soil samples and/or samples of road pavement materials are analyzed.

*"Some new technologies and materials need to be tested when sections are constructed, while others need to be tested on completed sections where there are maintenance and upkeep challenges. Test sections are usually constructed on high volume roads. Sometimes materials are tested in several climatic zones at the same time. Testing of materials, depending on the type and purpose, lasts from 3 months to 2 years,” said Zauresh Omirbekova, Head of the New Technologies Department at KazdorNII.

What does the monitoring of trial sections provide? Pilot testing is conducted collegially and provides an opportunity to objectively test the effectiveness and viability of new materials and technologies, as well as to identify shortcomings and advantages.

The results of the testing are studied by the technical council and in case of a positive assessment, the material receives a “green” status and is recommended for use in the design, maintenance, repair and construction of roads in specific climatic and geological conditions.