The Road Research Center (CRR) is an independent and impartial knowledge center serving businesses, road managers, and all other actors in the road construction sector. As a private research institute of public utility, it is funded by the sector. Its mission is to promote technical progress in road construction.To fulfill this mission, CRR’s services are based on three main activities:

• Innovation through research and development;

• Technical assistance for professionals;

• Knowledge sharing via training, technical publications, and documentary support.

Sustainable innovation and digitalization are major challenges of the 21st century, including in road construction. These are therefore key elements of CRR’s strategy for the coming years.The road network is an essential link in an integrated and sustainable transport system. That’s why CRR considers all actors and road users, vehicles, infrastructures, as well as the immediate environment and socio-economic context.CRR is active in all aspects of road construction: materials, techniques, testing, measurement, and software. It is also involved in every phase of a road construction project: design, implementation, control, management, and maintenance.

Areas of Expertise

CRR specializes in several fields:

• Geotechnics and (sub-)foundations

• Water management and road infrastructure

• Asphalt pavements and bituminous applications

• Concrete roads and paving

• Mobility, traffic, and safety

• Environment

Expertise

As a reference institute, CRR is accredited for a wide range of tests, including soils, aggregates, fillers, binders, asphalt mixtures, concrete, interface systems, and sewer inspection by camera. In addition to laboratory work, CRR also conducts extensive on-site measurements and surveys.

Testing and Standardization

CRR is recognized by the Bureau of Standardization (NBN) as a federal sector operator for several European technical committees:

• CEN/TC 226

  – Road equipment

• CEN/TC 227

  – Road construction materials

• CEN/TC 396

  – Earthworks

CRR also collaborates on the continuous adaptation of standard specifications across the three regions.

Equipment

As a reference laboratory, CRR is equipped to perform standardized tests and measurements for the sector. It also provides measuring devices and specialized software (for asphalt mix formulation, design of permeable pavements, etc.) in Belgium and abroad.CRR assesses road conditions using equipment developed in-house or in collaboration with other organizations. High-performance road inspection is a core competency of CRR, providing objective data to evaluate the need for maintenance or structural intervention, as well as load-bearing capacity and residual service life. This contributes directly to road user safety and comfort.