Effect of bitumen characteristics obtained according to EN and Superpave specifications on asphalt mixture performance in low-temperature laboratory tests

•Low-temperature properties of 17 asphalt mixtures and 10 bitumens were tested.•Mixtures were tested in TSRST and 3 PB and bitumen were tested in BBR and Fraass.•Multiple regression between bitumen and mixture properties were determined.•Bitumen rheological properties correspond to cryogenic stresses induced in mixture.•Mixture failure temperature results from combined bitumen properties and its content. The paper aims to identify those characteristics of bitumen which have the greatest impact on asphalt mixture low-temperature performance. It was observed that stiffness and m-value of bitumen from BBR test were moderately related to stiffness and m-value of asphalt mixture obtained from 3 PB test. Simultaneously those rheological properties significantly impact on cryogenic stresses induced during TSRST test. The multiple regression model was developed and it implied that mixture failure temperature depends both on rheological properties, brittle fracture and content of bitumen, what means that only comprehensive assessment of bitumen properties enables reasonable assessment of its low-temperature performance.