01045601

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/2040-06

http://scholar.google.com...spie&publication_year=2007

Smoothness, the absence of bumps and dips in the riding surface of a pavement, improves the quality of the ride and is believed to prolong the life of the pavement. Research addressed the effect of Virginia’s special provision for smoothness on contract prices for hot-mix asphalt. The research also examined the financial value of the resulting product (presumably smoother pavements). The analysis included maintenance cost savings for the owner–agency, as well as any reduction in delay and operating costs for the motoring public. A detailed statistical analysis found no statistically definitive effect on bid price as a result of the use of a special provision for rideability. A similar analysis on a more focused data set, however, did document a lifetime reduction in the international roughness index of almost 9 in./mi. This reduction in roughness (increase in smoothness) implies an increase in pavement service life, which translates into reduced annual maintenance costs. The lifetime decrease in roughness can lead to even more dramatic user cost savings. A case study demonstrated a fuel cost savings (for trucks alone) of $190,000 over a 10-year period for each lane mile of highway resurfaced under the special provision.

01091297

English

pp 48-54

2007

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

9780309113045

Print

References (25) ; Tables (3)

Case studies; Contracts; Hot mix asphalt; Prices; Ride quality; Road construction; Service life; Smoothness; Value engineering

International Roughness Index

Cost savings; Maintenance costs; Road user costs

Administration and Management; Construction; Design; Highways; I52: Construction of Pavements and Surfacings

PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Feb 8 2007 5:20PM

• Achieving 4% Air Voids in Real Pavements with Superpave
• Assessing Potential for Warm-Mix Asphalt Technology Adoption
• Calibration of Nonnuclear Density Gauge Data for Accurate In-Place Density Prediction
• Comparisons of Contractor and State Transportation Agency Quality Assurance Test Results on Mat Density of Hot-Mix Asphalt Concrete: Findings of a Multistate Analysis
• Early Contractor Involvement and Target Pricing in U.S. and UK Highways
• Effect of Performance Warranties on Cost and Quality of Asphalt Pavements
• Forensic Investigation of Debonding in Rich Bottom Pavement
• Framework Model for Determining Incentive and Disincentive Amounts
• Laboratory Evaluation of Alternative Dowel Bars for Use in Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Construction
• Launching of the San Cristobal Bridge
• Quality Assurance of Mix Properties of Hot-Mix Asphalt Concrete: Multistate Analysis Comparing Contractor and State Transportation Agency Test Results
• Range Imaging as Emerging Optical Three-Dimension Measurement Technology
• Roller-Compacted Concrete Shoulder Construction on Interstate Highway in Georgia