Transportation Infrastructure: Highway Pavement Design Guide Is Outdated
RCED-98-9
Published: Nov 21, 1997. Publicly Released: Nov 21, 1997.
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Highlights
GAO provided information on the: (1) roles of the Federal Highway Administration (FHwA) and others in developing and updating the pavement design guide; and (2) use and potential of a computer analysis method known as nonlinear 3 Dimensional-Finite Element Method (3D-FEM) for improving the design and analysis of highway pavement structures.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Transportation | To better assist in designing safer, longer lasting, and more cost-effective new, reconstructed, and overlay highway pavement structures, the Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FHwA, to ensure that the nonlinear 3D-FEM is considered in the current update of the pavement design guide. |
Closed – Implemented
The Department of Transportation (DOT) concurs with the recommendation. DOT is encouraging full consideration of 3D-FEM, along with other quantitative analytical methods, for pavement analysis in the updated version of the AASHTO Highway Pavement Design Guide, which is expected to be published by 2002. The recently completed phase I of this effort identified 3D-FEM as one of several available procedures to be considered also. Based on a September 2000 discussion with FHWA Program officials, FHWA is working closely with AASHTO, the organization responsible for publishing the Highway Pavement Design Guide. FHWA is also coordinating with the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP). NCHRP is providing support for this effort. AASHTO officials and staff associated with the NCHRP effort said that they will consider nonlinear 3D-FEM in the update of the design guide. Therefore, the recommendation has been acted upon. The guide is currently in draft and will not be issued in final form until 2002.
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Topics
Computer modelingHighway engineeringHighway planningHighway researchHighway safetyRoad constructionStatistical methodsPavement performanceRoad pavementsPublic roads or highways