Reflective crack relief layer that is permeable

A design method for making a bituminous mixture that is used to form a vapor-permeable layer of pavement is provided. This design procedure includes preparing one or more bituminous mixture test specimens, measuring the performance of these specimens, and selecting a desirable bituminous mixture for paving that is vapor-permeable based on the performance of the specimens. Another aspect of the present invention is the selected bituminous mixture, which includes aggregate and a bituminous binder. The aggregate should be selected such that no more than about 5% by mass of the aggregate and preferably no more than about 3.5% by mass of the aggregate is able to pass through a 75 mum sieve. The selected bituminous mixture should have an Air Permeability Value that is at least about 8 cm2 so as to reduce its propensity for blistering during and after construction. Still further, the selected bituminous mixture should have desirable fatigue resistance and should be substantially water-impermeable.