Current performance-based contracting specifications employ International Roughness Index (IRI) to measure the smoothness of a pavement as perceived by the motorist. This parameter is measured in the outer or right-hand traffic lane and requires an understanding of how smoothness, as measured by IRI, varies spatially, with time and other design factors. Recently the change in traffic flow characteristics where heavy volumes of traffic travel in the left-hand lane or lanes of multi-lane highways has raised issues as to whether or not measurements in the outer lane represents an 'worst case' condition for the assessment of pavement performance and design considerations. To assess these variables a large field data set of IRI data across all lanes of four multi-lane highways was collected during field photolog operations by ConnDOT staff. These data were analyzed to determine if there were statistical differences laterally on the test routes. It was concluded that there are smoothness differences in adjacent lanes of multi-lane freeways, which are consistent, random and small in value (0.2m/km). No strong causal relationships were found in the variables studied, age, pavement design and type, or traffic load. Rut was found to have more influence on IRI than cracking. Large values recorded, outliers, are associated with construction and maintenance activities.


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    Title :

    Lateral Variation in Pavement Smoothness


    Contributors:
    C. E. Dougan (author) / L. Aultman-Hall (author) / S. N. Choi (author) / C. Hobson (author) / B. Overturf (author)

    Publication date :

    2002


    Size :

    56 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





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