Abstract
With the release of the new Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) in the United States, there is a big shift in pavement analysis and design and many state highway agencies are undertaking initiatives to implement the MEPDG. The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) is one such highway agency in the United States interested in implementing the MEPDG. In order to effectively and efficiently transition to the MEPDG from the current empirical approach and accelerate its adoption, the IDOT needs a detailed implementation and training strategy. In support of the MEPDG implementation initiatives, sensitivity studies were conducted using the MEPDG software to identify design inputs pertaining to flexible pavements that are of particular sensitivity in Iowa. Based on a study of the MEPDG design components, results of sensitivity analyses, and past experience, this paper, which is the second of the 2 companion papers, presents key initiatives for implementing the MEPDG in Iowa. The need for implementing the MEPDG at IDOT and the results of rigid pavement input parameter sensitivity analysis are discussed in detail in the first paper.
Highlights
With the release of the new Mechanistic-Empirical (M-E) Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) by 2004 National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) “Guide for Mechanistic-Empirical Design of New and Rehabilitated Pavement Structures” Project 1-37A in the USA, pavement design has taken a leap forward
In support of the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) implementation initiatives, sensitivity studies were conducted using the MEPDG software to identify design inputs pertaining to flexible pavements that are of particular sensitivity in Iowa
The MEPDG software runs for this study provided numerous charts and tables as outputs
Summary
With the release of the new Mechanistic-Empirical (M-E) Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) by 2004 National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) “Guide for Mechanistic-Empirical Design of New and Rehabilitated Pavement Structures” Project 1-37A in the USA, pavement design has taken a leap forward. The edition currently available for evaluation (as of Dec 2007) will change and a provisional design guide is yet to be released. Some areas of change are known even while others have yet to be identified and may only come to light as they are identified during the general implementation. In order to effectively and efficiently transition to the MEPDG, state Dept of Transportations (DOTs) need a detailed implementation and training strategy. Pavement design input parameters must be determined locally based on their effects on pavement performance
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