Using two case studies, this paper demonstrates the role that controlled accelerated pavement tests can play in the development of performance based laboratory testing procedures. Firstly, the results of an evaluation of the rut-resistant properties of asphalt mixes under accelerated loading using the Accelerated Loading Facility (ALF) conducted between November 1993 and May 1995 are summarized. The performance ranking of the asphalt mixtures is compared to the ranking determined using a dynamic creep laboratory test. The relative rankings of the mixes were different. The laboratory creep test results suggested that the minimum creep slope could rank the relative performance under ALF loading of mixes having the same composition but different binder type but not the relative performance of mixes having different gradings and compositions. The results of the ALF testing correlated better with the results of laboratory wheel-tracking testing. Secondly, a similar deformation trial was conducted on four different spayed seal surfaced, unbound granular pavements between July 2007 and June 2008. The work was undertaken as a means of validating a Repeated Load Triaxial (RLT) test procedure. The RLT test results brought into question the usefulness of the axial permanent strains measured in the test method as these strains did not identify one of the four test materials as being unsuitable for base course due to its low resistance to lateral shoving. By contrast a wheel tracking test, similar to that adopted after the 1990s asphalt work, correlated reasonably well with the ALF results.