BACKGROUND: The design, construction, and management of highway pavements is a complex task that involves the consideration of many topics.  Among these topics are structural design and analysis, drainage provisions, traffic load spectra, material utilization/conservation, surface characteristics, construction practices, pavement evaluation, pavement type selection, life-cycle cost analysis, and preservation.  Some of these topics have been addressed in AASHTO documents (e.g., Pavement Management Guide; Guide for Pavement Friction; and Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide, Interim Edition: A Manual of Practice) and a great deal of information on the other topics is available in the literature.  However, this information has not yet been synthesized or assembled in a format that will facilitate accessibility and use by highway agency professionals.  Research is needed to identify current practices; review relevant information; and develop a handbook that discusses the topics pertaining to the design, construction, and management of pavements and incorporates relevant AASHTO documents.  Preparing such a handbook in an interactive-electronic, easy-to-edit format with a printer-friendly option will further facilitate its use and update.  Such a handbook will provide highway agency professionals with ready-to-use information to help them effectively perform the task of pavement design, construction, and management.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a handbook that addresses design, construction, and management aspects of pavements.  The Handbook shall be prepared in an interactive-electronic, easily editable format with a printer-friendly option, suitable for consideration and adoption by AASHTO.

TASKS: Accomplishment of this objective will require at least the following tasks.

Phase I: (1) Collect and review relevant domestic and foreign literature, research findings, and current practices relative to the development of the handbook.  The Handbook shall incorporate the most recent versions of relevant AASHTO documents (see Special Note A) and include at least the following topics:

• Structural design and analysis (new and rehabilitated pavements)
• Drainage considerations
• Traffic load spectra
• Material utilization/conservation (mix-type selection, recycling)
• Pavement management
• Surface characteristics (friction, smoothness, noise, spray and splash, etc.)
• Construction best practices (subgrade, base/subbase, surface layers)
• Pavement evaluation (accelerated pavement testing, condition, structural capacity, destructive and nondestructive testing, forensics, etc.)
• Pavement type selection
• Life-cycle cost analysis
• Pavement preservation/maintenance

(2) Prepare and submit for NCHRP review a draft version of the chapter on "Surface Characteristics," in an interactive-electronic, easily editable format with a printer-friendly option.  Following review of the chapter by the NCHRP, the research team will be required to make a presentation to the project panel. (3).  Consider the reviewers’ comments and revise the chapter on "Surface Characteristics" accordingly. (4) Prepare an updated, detailed work plan for preparing the remaining chapters and developing the Handbook in Phase II. (5) Prepare an interim report that documents the work performed in Task 1 and includes the revised chapter on Surface Characteristics and the updated work plan for Phase II.  Work on Phase II of the project will not begin until the interim report is approved and the Phase II work plan is authorized by the NCHRP.

Phase II: (6) Execute the Phase II plan approved in Task 5, and develop the remaining chapters of the Handbook. (7) Prepare the Handbook in an interactive-electronic, easily editable format with a printer-friendly option. (8).  Submit a final report that documents the entire research effort.  The Handbook shall be prepared as a stand-alone deliverable on a CD-ROM or DVD that could be placed on the web, in a form suitable for consideration and adoption by AASHTO.  User manuals and other information that will facilitate use must also be included.

Status: Work on Phase I started in October 2009.