The FHWAPavement Preservation Technical Appraisal Project

Joe Gregory, P.E.Federal Highway Administration

Office of Asset Management

FHWA Office of Asset Management Provide national leadership in asset

management principles for highway program administration;

Develop asset management policies for pavement, bridge, and system preservation; and

Partner with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), other FHWA offices, and others to establish nationwide programs.

FHWA Office of Asset Management Teams

System Management and Monitoring Construction and System Preservation Evaluation and Economic Investment

“Definition”

Pavement Preservationis

Applied Asset Management

Combines Engineering, Business Practices, Economic Theory

• Minor Rehabilitation

• Preventive Maintenance

• Routine Maintenance

• Sustainable Financing

• Long-Term Network Planning

• Cost-Effective Decision Making

• Pavement Management System

• Optimization

“Definition”Pavement preservation is a program employing a network level, long-term strategy that enhances pavement performance by using an integrated, cost-effective set of practices that extend pavement life, improve safety and meet motorist expectations.

The Pavement The Pavement Preservation ConceptPreservation Concept

Rehabilitation Trigger

Time / Traffic

Pav

emen

t C

on

dit

ion

Preventive Trigger

Original Pavement

Optimal Timing

Pavement Preservation is about doing….

The Right TreatmentThe Right Treatment

On the Right RoadOn the Right Road

At the Right TimeAt the Right Time

Flexible Pavement Treatments

Crack Filling Chip Seals Fog Seals Slurry Seals Micro-

surfacing Ultra-thin

Overlays Profile Milling

Crack Sealing Cape Seals Sand Seals Scrub Seals Bonded Wearing

Course Thin Overlays Mill & Resurface

….and many others!

Rigid Pavement Treatments/Repairs

Crack Sealing Under-sealing Spall Repair Full-Depth

Repair Partial-Depth

Repair

Joint Resealing Dowel Bar

Retrofitting Cross-stitching

Longitudinal Cracks/Joints

Diamond Grinding and Grooving

….and many others!

The FHWAPavement Preservation Technical Appraisal Project

What is it?

Large-Scale Process Review Interviews with key State

DOT personnel Snapshot of Pavement

Preservation Programs

What is it? Started in July 2005

Provide State Appraisal Results

Identify National Trends

Comparisons of State Results to National or Regional Trends

National Center for Pavement Preservation

Contracted with FHWA to conduct appraisals

Formed in 2003 at Michigan State University

Larry Galehouse, P.E, P.L.S - Director Provides technical assistance and

training Provides TSP Technical Support to

AASHTO

Review Team National Center for Pavement

Preservation FHWA Headquarters FHWA Division Office State DOT Representative

Deliverables

Final Report to each state National Database Interim Report (First 20 States) Final Report (National) (Fall/Winter

2008)

Review Procedures Request Submitted Review Scheduled Review Conducted Executive Summary Drafted and

Reviewed Close-out meeting conducted Final Revisions made to the Executive

Summary Final Report Delivered

Interview Questions Program Implementation Project Selection Public Relations Performance Monitoring Pavement Management System Preservation Treatments

Interview Questions Business Process Materials QC/QA Training Research and Development

Resistance

Resistance to Preservation

“Monetary issues have been the most prominent obstacles. When money is needed for another purpose, or when actual revenues fall short of anticipated, the preservation program is one of the easiest target.”

“Maintaining a consistent funding base for pavement preservation in the face of overwhelming needs in other important areas: capacity, safety, political projects necessary for support of bond issues, etc.”

Obstacles

Obstacles Cited

“Budget, budget and budget. In addition there will be some resistance internally to develop a pavement preservation program because we have traditionally not adopted that line of thinking.”

“Changing from a "worst-first" mentality.”

“Interdepartmental communication issues.”

Greatest Potential for Success

Greatest Potential for Failure

Project Selection

Quality Contractors

Comments on Contracting

“The agency has experienced major difficulties in attracting preservation contractors. North Region: It is very difficult finding qualified contractors.”

“Workmanship quality and contractor experience has been a problem for the District. Often the district cannot get good bid prices because only one contractor bids the work.”

“Construction and preservation work is accomplished by the same contractors, and these firms may not necessarily provide the quality work or quality control procedures needed.”

Need for Research

How Reliable is PMS?

Integrated Preservation Treatments

ObservationsObservations

Pavement Preservation

Observations A recognized need for pavement

preservation Many agencies in early stage of a

preservation program Poor experiences with some treatments Limited contractor base Limited suite of treatments in “toolbox” Great need for training and certification

Observations Lack preservation program funding Internal resistance to change Need to expand public education /

awareness Better tracking and PMS integration

needed Need for greater FHWA Division support “Worst First” project selection paradigm

Questions?

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/preservation/