New national crumb rubber asphalt specification released to support local council roads

A new national standard for the use of crumb rubber asphalt on local roads has been released, marking an important shift in how councils can specify and deliver longer-lasting, more circular road infrastructure.

The Crumb Rubber Modified Dense Graded Asphalt (CRM DGA) Model Specification – Light to Medium Duty Roads has been officially released by the Australian Flexible Pavement Association, following collaboration with Tyre Stewardship Australia.

Local governments are responsible for approximately 75% of Australia’s road network — an estimated 675,000 kilometres of streets, residential access routes and community-level infrastructure. However, most existing asphalt specifications were developed primarily for higher-order state roads, meaning councils have often needed to interpret and adapt standards not designed for the conditions they manage.

This new national specification helps close that gap.

It provides consistent technical guidance specifically aligned with light-to-medium-duty networks, where surface ageing and environmental exposure — rather than heavy traffic — are the dominant drivers of deterioration. By incorporating crumb rubber modified binders, the specification also supports improved durability and extended pavement life.

Importantly, its release aligns with growing circular-economy ambitions across local government. Increased use of crumb rubber asphalt creates demand for end-of-life tyres, helping avoid landfill and illegal dumping while supporting domestically-developed recycling capacity.

The specification includes guidance on:

• CRM DGA mix design and material requirements
• Construction processes including compaction and temperature control
• Performance criteria and testing approaches suitable for council roads
• Practical advice on managing reclaimed asphalt pavement content

The AfPA CRM DGA Model Specification V1.0 (October 2025) is now publicly available via AfPA here.

Councils seeking practical examples, tools and decision support for adopting crumb rubber in road construction can also access TSA’s Crumb Rubber Resource Centre for Local Government, featuring case studies, project insights and procurement-focused information.