The Effectiveness of Construction Incentives for Concrete Pavements

This report describes a study jointly conducted by the University of Wyoming and the Wyoming Department of Transportation to examine the effect of construction Profilograph Index (PI) values on long-term roughness measurements of concrete pavements. The objectives of this study were to determine if increased initial pavement smoothness had any lasting effects on the pavement smoothness. The study consisted of selecting 175 test sections in eight different interstate projects, obtaining construction and roughness data, compiling the data in a computerized data base, and conducting statistical analysis. The analysis resulted in the observation that when the initial roughness of concrete sections are less than 7 in. per mile, a slightly rougher section does not necessarily deteriorate faster than a slightly smoother section.