How a State Transportation Agency Uses Pavement Data to Make Better Road Decisions

Key Results at a Glance

  • More consistent and repeatable pavement measurements
  • Improved quality control during paving projects
  • More effective pavement investigations
  • Better-informed rehabilitation decisions
  • Earlier identification of potential roadway safety concerns
  • Smoother and longer-lasting roads for the travelling public

 

Customer profile

Type: State Transportation Agency (State DOT)

Region: Southeastern USA

Solution:

  • Dynatest Road Surface Profilers (RSP)
  • Dynatest Fast Falling Weight Deflectometer (FastFWD)
  • Dynatest Pavement Friction Testing Equipment

 

Introduction

Across a statewide road network in the Southeastern United States, a state transportation agency (State DOT) uses Dynatest pavement testing equipment to support maintenance, rehabilitation, and construction projects on everything from low-volume local roads to heavily travelled Interstate highways.

Using Road Surface Profilers, Fast Falling Weight Deflectometer (FastFWD) technology, and pavement friction testing equipment, the DOT collects pavement condition data that helps engineers make informed decisions throughout the pavement lifecycle.

 

Overview

Maintaining a large roadway network requires reliable information about pavement conditions, ride quality, structural performance, and roadway safety.

The DOT uses Dynatest equipment to support statewide maintenance and construction activities while helping engineers identify roadway conditions, evaluate rehabilitation needs, and monitor pavement performance across a wide variety of road types.

From rural roads and urban streets to Interstate highways, pavement data plays an important role in helping the State DOT make informed decisions about maintenance and rehabilitation investments.

 

The Challenge

Over time, the State DOT identified several key objectives for its pavement management activities:

  • Deliver smoother roads for the travelling public
  • Improve designs for resurfacing and rehabilitation projects
  • Support a safer roadway network

Achieving these goals required reliable, repeatable pavement measurements and a better understanding of existing roadway conditions before maintenance and rehabilitation work begins.

 

The Solution

To address these challenges, the State DOT adopted a data-driven approach using multiple pavement testing technologies.

Pavement Profiling

Road Surface Profilers are used to verify rideability specifications on construction projects and identify areas that may require corrective action before project acceptance. Consistent and repeatable measurements help support quality assurance throughout the paving process.

Structural Evaluation

FastFWD testing is used to investigate pavement structural condition prior to rehabilitation work. The data helps engineers determine the most appropriate treatment strategy, whether that involves resurfacing, rehabilitation, or reconstruction.

Friction Testing

Friction testing supports both network-level evaluations and targeted investigations. These measurements help identify locations that may require additional attention while also providing valuable information during roadway investigations.

 

Results

According to the DOT, roadway profiling has improved the consistency and repeatability of pavement measurements while helping identify sections that require repair before projects are accepted.

FastFWD testing has made site investigations more effective by providing information that helps engineers select the most appropriate rehabilitation treatment while reducing unnecessary time and costs during project planning.

Friction testing has helped identify potential areas of concern before they develop into roadway safety issues.

By combining pavement profiling, structural evaluation, and friction testing, the State DOT has developed a more complete understanding of roadway condition across its network.

The result is better-informed pavement decisions that help deliver smoother, safer, and longer-lasting roads for the travelling public.

 

Customer Perspective

“Dynatest has been a great partner to work with over the years. They have always maintained the highest level of customer service and have gone out of their way to make sure we get what we need.” 

Equipment owner & operator