Wisconsin Department of Transportation's Asphaltic Pavement Warranties

Abstract

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), the Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association, and FHWA have joined together to develop a comprehensive warranty specification that can be incorporated into highway construction contracts for asphaltic concrete pavements. The warranty specification is expected to reduce WisDOT's project delivery costs, lower total project construction costs, enable contractors to use innovative construction methods and materials, and result in equal or greater quality construction. The development of Wisconsin's warranty specification is briefly discussed, and the unique features of the warranty specification are outlined, including the warranty period, bonding requirements, pavement performance characteristics, performance thresholds, pavement evaluation methods, required pavement remedial actions, and use of a conflict-resolution team. The specification has been used successfully to bid and construct three highway projects in Wisconsin. WisDOT has evaluated projected costs over 5 years to determine the impact of warranties on total costs. Other types of projects that may be suitable for use of warranties have been identified and several will be tried in 1996. Distress evaluations from the first year indicate that the warranty projects yield a good ride, no significant rutting, and low distress. No distress thresholds were exceeded, thus no remedial actions (warranty work) are required after 1 year.