Maine Interstate Rutting Research
Performance management data indicates that pavement rutting on the Maine interstate system has been worsening in recent years. The percent of interstate segments and miles classified as “Good” rutting has steadily declined from greater than 40% in 2011 to less than 10% in 2023. The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) Research and Innovation Office evaluated rutting data on I-295 and I-95 from 2015 to 2023 in greater detail. This evaluation shows that the data suggests initial rutting (the first network data collection after pavement is placed) has increased significantly to nearly 0.2 inches (threshold for “Fair” rutting based on the Highway Performance Monitoring System criteria from FHWA). This evaluation also shows that the average rate of annual rutting across these two major interstate routes has been increasing. The data suggests that rutting starts from a higher value than it used to and then it increases year-over-year faster than it used to. During this evaluation timeframe, the interstate paving strategy has changed to rely heavily on a lower cost-per-mile Ultra-Thin Bonded Wearing Course (UTBWC) surface treatment. The lower cost per mile treatment allows for more miles to be paved per year. By design, this strategy leads to fewer years between treatments and more miles of paving per year. However, initial results suggest that we are not getting the anticipated treatment life; which forces us to increase the frequency of paving. The conclusions from this review are alarming if they are taken at face value, however, the accuracy and reliability of the network rutting data has been called into question based on this evaluation and related conversations. Field work is necessary to test the accuracy of the rutting data and to determine if the high initial rutting is present. There will also be strategic field pilot sections to determine if UTBWC is rutting differently than other surface pavements in the early months after treatment. Most of the worst rutting locations on interstate have been long-standing issues for decades. Field work is required to determine how these locations can be fixed. This document lists the action items proposed for the proposed interstate rutting effort, as well as the estimated cost and value provided by each item. The purpose of this project is to ensure MaineDOT uses appropriate strategies to cost effectively and accurately measure and manage the condition of our highest priority roadways. Several objectives have been identified to deliver the project goals. Through execution of these objectives, MaineDOT will improve confidence and accuracy of network condition data that is used to make project funding decisions. MaineDOT staff will also complete detailed analysis of chronic rutting locations to understand why these areas are rutting and to identify treatments that can be used for mitigation. The total additional funds needed to execute the action plan over the next three years is $1 million. The actual cost to complete this effort is higher but some costs and staff time will be included in existing projects. The following table lists the objectives proposed and the estimated additional cost required to complete them.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
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Sponsor Organizations:
Maine Department of Transportation
16 Statehouse Station
Augusta, ME United States 04333-0016 -
Managing Organizations:
Maine Department of Transportation
16 Statehouse Station
Augusta, ME United States 04333-0016 -
Project Managers:
Pulver, Jeffrey
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Performing Organizations:
25 New Hampshire Ave.
Suite 255
Portsmouth, New Hampshire United States 03801 -
Principal Investigators:
Bernhardt, David
- Start Date: 20250515
- Expected Completion Date: 20260630
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Data analysis; Interstate highways; Research management; Rutting; Wearing course (Pavements)
- Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Pavements; Research;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01959905
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Maine Department of Transportation
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Jul 2 2025 10:17AM