The technical capabilities of systems to collect and analyze pavement surface distress and transverse profile (PSDATP) have increased dramatically in the last 5-10 years. Many State highway agencies (SHAs) are in the process of assessing the procurement of equipment/systems or procuring vendor services for network and project level assessments. Additionally, the SHAs are constantly trying to determine the cost of data collection to help support pavement decisions. The collection of quality PSDATP is critical for pavement management and design. The current national and State efforts to develop and refine pavement performance measures highlight the high value provided by quality PSDATP. The implementation of new project delivery methods with medium- to long-term maintenance agreements (Design Build Maintain, Design Build Operate, etc.) and performance measures directing maintenance and rehabilitation strategies, justify a high level of quality PSDATP for proper planning and the allocation of funding. The implementation of the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) highlights the need for quality PSDATP to maximize the potential of the MEPDG and all other pavement design models. The emphasis on preventive pavement maintenance activities provides the opportunity for additional value from greater resolution of pavement surface distress quantification. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) currently sponsors Expert Task Groups (ETG) and/or Technical Working Groups (TWG) for Asphalt Binder, Asphalt Mixture, Asphalt Modeling, Concrete Pavement Technology Program, Pavement Smoothness, and Rutting and Cracking Measurement, to obtain stakeholder input and provide technical information and evaluation. This pooled-fund effort will result in reconstituting the existing Rutting and Cracking Measurement ETG. The activities of the pooled-fund effort will be communicated with other appropriate committees and groups in the pavement community, such as, the Road Profiler User Group, the FHWA, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Joint Technical Committee on Pavements, the AASHTO Highway Subcommittee on Materials, and the Transportation Research Board (TRB). The FHWA Rutting and Cracking Measurement ETG developed a set of protocols and guidelines that have been approved by the AASHTO Highway Subcommittee on Materials (SOM) as provisional standards. Validation and refinement of the provisional standards is needed. A June 2013 survey of SOM members on interest in supporting this pooled fund project resulted in 27 responses with 10 responding yes definitely, 14 possibly, 2 probably not, and 1 no. The Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program has 10+ years of experience using pavement surface distress data collection systems on a daily basis. This experience includes purchasing specifications, data reduction, and application activities. Their experience can be beneficial to the SHAs. This new pooled-fund project is being established to provide direction and funding that will unify the strategies, address implementation efforts, and promote practices that improve the accuracy and repeatability of the data collection and analysis systems and promote the knowledge and understanding of PSDATP measurements. It is expected that this study will be completed within 6 years. Based on the conceptual similarities of this study with the existing Pooled-Fund Study TPF-5(063) “Improving the Quality of Pavement Profiler Measurement,” it is proposed that this new study follow a similar project management approach – through the establishment of a “Study Charter” (See Task 1).

Improve the Quality of Pavement Surface Distress and Transverse Profile Data Collection and Analysis by assembling SHAs, the FHWA, and industry representatives to: • Identify data collection integrity and quality issues • Identify data analysis needs • Suggest approaches to addressing identified issues and needs Based on this information, the SHAs and the FHWA will: • Initiate and monitor projects intended to address identified issues and needs • Disseminate results • Assist in solution deployment

Task 1. Administration Assemble a TWG - It is proposed that all of the SHAs that elect to participate in the study will be afforded the opportunity to attend and participate in a kick-off and periodic meetings. The main mission of the kick-off meeting is to organize the specifics of the pooled-fund study. It is expected the first activities will include the development of a “Study Charter” to outline how the TWG will function in carrying out its main duties of identifying needs, proposing projects, and selecting projects to be carried out within the pooled-fund effort. It is envisioned that the TWG will meet twice a year over a 6-year period, but it may be necessary to meet three times in the first year. The participating SHAs will receive first priority for all of the developed equipment and procedures. Task 2. Identify, prioritize, and select projects At the first meeting and as necessary, identify, prioritize, and select projects to be conducted within the pooled-fund project. As needed, update the project list. Potential projects may include efforts that are conducted by members of the TWG or contracted resources. Potential projects may include, but are not limited to: • Verification/validation of existing standards • Field Evaluations of vendor data collection and analysis systems (rodeos) • Analysis standards for transverse profiles related to water retention • Implementation/demonstration of results • Procurement standards for vendor services • Calibration standards • Verification standards • Feasibility studies for innovative technologies • Technical assistance services to assist SHAs in implementing standards • Define critical accuracy requirements • Monitor emerging technologies • Develop surface distress indices Task 3. Project Execution Selected projects will be developed into project plans. If a project requires a contract, then the project plan will be suitable for a contract statement of work. Appropriate level of TWG oversight will be conducted for each project. Project results/reports are expected to be published by FHWA so the results will be available to all, and other results may become AASHTO standards.

Planned Budget Item Cost Task # 1: Administration • Meetings $20,000 • Travel $140,000 • Publications $20,000 Task 1 Subtotal $180,000 Task # 3: Project Execution • Studies $1,520,000 Task 3 Subtotal $1,520,000 Total $1,700,000 It is anticipated that 20 SHAs need to participate for 6 years at approximately $15,000 per year. (As a demonstration of the FHWA’s continued dedication to supporting measurement of pavement surface characteristics, the FHWA will commit $100,000 in funding . This is a tentative commitment as of July, 2013) 100% SP&R approval obtained. Study Management It is recommended that the study be administered by the FHWA with technical management provided by the participating SHAs through means of a TWG. It is anticipated that the current FHWA Rutting and Cracking Measurement ETG, which has developed the current AASHTO Provisional Standards, be reconstituted into a TWG including participants from this study and function as an advisory group. This method is chosen due to the nature of the scope of work involved, the need to get many SHAs involved, the need to work with industry groups, etc. The SHAs financially participating may also choose to technically participate, at their discretion. This would automatically include them in the TWG as well. The FHWA will provide study facilitation services and technical specialists--either from in-house staff or with contract staff support assistance. Background documents: AASHTO PP 67, Quantifying Cracks in Asphalt Pavement Surfaces from Collected Images Utilizing Automated Methods AASHTO PP 68, Collecting Images of Pavement Surfaces for Distress Detection AASHTO PP 69, Determining Pavement Deformation Parameters and Cross-Slope from Collected Transverse Profiles AASHTO PP 70, Collecting the Transverse Pavement Profile