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Improve pavement surface distress and transverse profile data collection and analysis, Phase III

The technical capabilities of systems to collect and analyze pavement surface distress and transverse profile (PSDATP) have increased dramatically in the last 5-10 years. Many state highway agencies (SHAs) are in the process of assessing the procurement of equipment/systems or procuring vendor services for network and project level pavement condition assessments. The collection of quality PSDATP is critical for pavement management and design. The current national and State efforts to develop and refine pavement performance measures highlight the high value provided by quality PSDATP. The implementation of new project delivery methods with medium- to long-term maintenance agreements (Design Build Maintain, Design Build Operate, etc.) justifies the need for high-quality PSDATP data. Accurate and repeatable measures are essential for proper planning and the allocation of funding. The implementation of the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) highlights the need for quality PSDATP to maximize the potential of the MEPDG and all other pavement design models. The emphasis on preventive pavement maintenance activities provides the opportunity for additional value from greater resolution of pavement surface distress quantification. TPF-5(299) and TPF-5(399) comes to end in 2026, and this pooled fund study will continue the work of that pooled fund study. The 24 State Highway Agencies of TPF-5(399) support starting this new pooled fund study. The activities of the pooled-fund study will be communicated with other appropriate committees and groups in the pavement community, such as, the Road Profiler User Group, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Committee on Materials and Pavements (COMP), National Cooperative Research Program (NCHRP) and the Transportation Research Board (TRB). The AASHTO COMP currently manages several standards related to pavement surface characteristics measurement. Many of these standards continue to need refinement and updating. This pooled-fund study is being established to provide direction and funding to unify the strategies, support implementation efforts, and promote best practices that improve the accuracy and repeatability of the data collection and analysis systems, as well as advance the understanding of PSDATP measurements. It is expected that this study will be completed within 5 years. OBJECTIVES: Improve the Quality of Pavement Surface Distress and Transverse Profile Data Collection and Analysis by assembling SHAs, the FHWA, and industry representatives to: Identify data collection integrity and quality issues; Identify data analysis needs; Suggest approaches to addressing identified issues and needs. Based on this information, the SHAs and the FHWA will: Initiate and monitor projects intended to address identified issues and needs; Disseminate results; Assist in solution deployment.

Language

  • English

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01979236
  • Record Type: Research project
  • Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
  • Contract Numbers: TPF-5(570)
  • Files: RIP, USDOT, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Feb 9 2026 7:52PM