TOPEKA — Kansas Department of Transportation is running tests of pavement strength this week in Rush County, and will begin a paving project in Pawnee County later this week.Pavement testing began Monday and will continue through Thursday on all of U.S. 183 and K-4 in Rush County.The testing crew uses a falling weight deflectometer (FWD), a device equipped with a series of weights that checks the strength of asphalt pavement. KDOT conducts FWD tests every year on different sections of the state highway system.A pilot car operation will be used for traffic control at each testing site. Motorists will experience delays of 15 minutes or less.