Data-driven assessment of rigid pavement vulnerability in Texas coastal regions

This research aims to evaluate the vulnerability of rigid pavements in two major coastal districts of Texas (i.e., Beaumont and Houston) spanning about 900 miles using data-driven approaches. Particularly, the study will (1) identify the key factors contributing to rigid pavement distress under dynamic coastal weather conditions, and (2) develop data-driven strategies to enhance the durability and performance of these pavement networks. Multi-source datasets, such as weather, geotechnical, traffic, coastal proximity, and pavement conditions, will be collected and integrated to support this analysis. Weather data, including temperature and precipitation, will be obtained from national and global databases such as NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and NASA Earthdata/GES DISC. Soil classification and geotechnical attributes will be sourced from the NRCS SSURGO (Soil Survey Geographic Database), while coastal proximity data will be derived from Google Earth. Traffic volumes and loading data will be gathered from TxDOT’s Statewide Traffic Analysis and Reporting System (STARS II). Pavement condition metrics, including distress quantity, distress score, condition score, and ride quality, will be extracted from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)’s Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) and supplemented with satellite imagery. By integrating these datasets, the project will perform statistical and spatial analyses to establish correlations between weather variables, geotechnical conditions, traffic patterns, and pavement performance indicators.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $88,450.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348330

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Coastal Research and Transportation Education (CREATE)

  601 University Drive
  RFM 5202
  San Marcos, Texas  United States  78666

  Texas State University, San Marcos

  JCK Building, Suite 489
  San Marcos, TX  United States 
• Managing Organizations:

  Coastal Research and Transportation Education (CREATE) University Transportation Center

  Texas State University
  San Marcos, TX  United States  78666
• Project Managers:

  Bruner, Britain

  Kulesza, Stacey

• Performing Organizations:

  Texas State University, San Marcos

  Department of Civil Engineering
  San Marcos, TX  United States  78666
• Principal Investigators:

  Yeon, Jung

  Lee, Chul-Ho

• Start Date: 20260101
• Expected Completion Date: 20270630
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Coastal engineering; Environmental design; Pavement condition; Pavement distress; Rigid pavements; Weather conditions
• Geographic Terms: Beaumont (Texas); Houston (Texas)
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Design; Environment; Maintenance and Preservation; Pavements; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01978058
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Coastal Research and Transportation Education (CREATE) University Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348330
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jan 29 2026 7:58PM