Florida's Return on Investment from Pavement Research and Development

Abstract

The Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) recently implemented an innovative pavement management forecasting methodology, Florida's Analysis System for Targets (FAST). FAST uses bottom-up, section-level forecasts to develop regional and systemwide network pavement condition forecasts and evaluates the effects of alternative resurfacing funding scenarios. FAST is calibrated and validated annually with the latest section-level pavement condition data. This calibration provides the ability to assess the latest impacts of changes in pavement materials, processes, and construction methods and management. FAST allows the Florida DOT to leverage its pavement management database to address funding limitations by ensuring that transportation dollars are efficiently allocated. FAST enables engineers and managers to predict more accurately the condition of the highway system in a manner that allows managers to establish the level of funding necessary for projected resurfacing needs. For two decades, the Florida DOT has worked on an initiative to improve the durability of its pavement sections. Florida's experience with FAST has shown an excellent return on investment for research and development into pavement materials, processes, construction methods and management, and pavement management technology. As a result of the adoption of Superpave®, changes to open graded friction courses, changes to the Florida DOT construction quality control program, and a consistent resurfacing program, Florida's pavements are lasting longer, and Florida DOT management is able to reallocate resources. This tool has enabled the Florida DOT to reduce its resurfacing program and reallocate approximately $3 billion in nonessential resurfacing funds over the next 10 years to projects to increase capacity.