Performance-Based Warranty Contracts for Pavement Markings

Abstract

In 2012, the Utah Department of Transportation (DOT) implemented a performance-based warranty on a portion of an I-15 pavement marking project. The awarded contract requested a contractor warranty on the implemented markings for a total of 6 years. This contract represented the first time that the Utah DOT had requested a warranty on pavement markings and the first time that Interstate maintenance funds had been used for them. This paper documents lessons learned from preconstruction, construction, and postconstruction phases of this project, collected through surveys of key Utah DOT personnel. The paper also includes a literature review on pavement marking warranty contracts in general, a review of the I-15 performance-based warranty contract, and reviews of previous pavement marking contracts of similar size that were based on material and workmanship warranties. Overall, the performance-based pavement marking warranty project was seen as a success. Considering that this approach to pavement marking projects is still innovative, significant potential has been shown, and state agencies should consider this direction for large-scale pavement marking projects, as well as for other construction projects in which performance can be clearly defined and measured. Because these types of Interstate freeway projects satisfy both capital improvement and preventive maintenance requirements, the projects are good candidates for FHWA support, as well as for additional funds obtained through state transportation commissions.