The Centre de recherches routières (CRR) is an independent and impartial knowledge centre serving not only companies, but also managers and all other players in road construction. As a private research institute of public utility, it is financed by the sector. Its mission is to promote technical progress in road construction.

In order to fulfil this mission, BRRC's services are based on three main activities:

• innovation through research and development;

• technical assistance for professionals

• sharing knowledge through training, technical publications and documentary assistance.

Sustainable innovation and digitisation are among the major challenges of this century, and this also applies to road construction. They will therefore be key elements of BRRC's strategy in the years ahead.

The road network is an indispensable link in an integrated and sustainable transport system. This is why BRRC pays attention to all players and all types of road users, vehicles and infrastructure, but also to the immediate environment and the socio-economic and social context.

BRRC is active in all aspects of road construction: materials, techniques, testing, measurements, software. And in all phases of a road construction project: design, implementation, inspection, management and maintenance. Our areas of expertise are: geotechnics and (sub)foundations, water and roads, asphalt pavements and other bituminous applications, concrete roads and paving, mobility, traffic and safety, and the environment.

Skills:

As a reference institute, CRR is accredited for a whole range of tests, in particular on soils, aggregates, fillers, binders, asphalt mixes, concrete, interface systems and camera inspection of sewers. In addition to laboratory work, we also develop and carry out a wide range of in situ measurements and monitoring.

Standardised and other tests:

CRR is recognised by the Office for Standardisation (NBN) as the federal sector operator for the European technical committees CEN/TC 226 Road Equipment, CEN/TC 227 Road Construction Materials and CEN/TC 396 Earthworks, and we are involved in the ongoing adaptation of the standard specifications of the three regions.

Equipment:

As a reference laboratory, the Centre de Recherches Routières (CRR) has the equipment needed to carry out the tests and measurements commonly used in the sector. It often makes (measuring) equipment and software (for formulating bituminous mixes, designing porous pavements, etc.) available in Belgium and abroad. BRRC assesses road conditions, often using equipment designed at the Centre or in collaboration with other organisations. Road testing using high-performance measuring equipment is a core skill that is inextricably linked to the activities of a road research centre. Numerous characteristics of the road can be deduced through auscultation. It also provides objective information for assessing the need for maintenance or structural work, as well as bearing capacity and residual service life. You can find out more about the various types of equipment here, and also on YouTube.