LTPP IMS Strategic Plan 2015 v1.pdf

Long-Term Pavement Performance

Information Management System Strategic Plan 2015

Version 1.0 - December 2010

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration

Research, Development, and Technology Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center 6300 Georgetown Pike McLean, VA 22101-2296 i

FOREWORD

This document provides a strategic plan for the Long-Term Pavement Performance program Information Management System. The purpose of this LTPP IMS strategic plan is to provide a formal basis for future improvements. This is intended as a management level document to solicit input from LTPP stakeholders including the LTPP TRB Committee, LTPP TRB Expert Task group for Special Activities, and others. This plan contains vision and mission statements, classifies activities by goals, and provides overarching strategies with key initiatives within these strategies to achieve the stated goals. This document will assist LTPP management in allocating program resources in an efficient and effective manner. This is a living document that will be updated on a regular basis.

The LTPP program is an ongoing and active program. To obtain current information and access to other technical references, LTPP data users should visit the LTPP Web site at http://www.tfhrc.gov/pavement/ltpp/ltpp.htm. LTPP data requests, technical questions, and data user feedback can be submitted to LTPP customer service via e-mail at ltppinfo@fhwa.dot.gov.

Jorge Pagán-Ortiz

Director, Office of Infrastructure Research and Development

NOTICE

This document is distributed under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.

The U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade and manufacturers’ names appear in this report only because they are considered essential to the object of the document.

http://www.tfhrc.gov/pavement/ltpp/ltpp.htm mailto:ltppinfo@fhwa.dot.gov ii

Technical Report Documentation Page

1. Report No.

None

2. Government Accession No.

3. Recipient’s Catalog No.

4. Title and Subtitle

LONG-TERM PAVEMENT PERFORMANCE

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

STRATEGIC PLAN 2015

5. Report Date December 2010

6. Performing Organization Code

7. Author(s) Office of Infrastructure Research and Development, LTPP Team

8. Performing Organization Report No.

9. Performing Organization Name and Address Office of Infrastructure Research and Development Federal Highway Administration 6300 Georgetown Pike McLean, VA 22101-2296

10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)

11. Contract or Grant No.

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address Office of Infrastructure Research and Development Federal Highway Administration 6300 Georgetown Pike McLean, VA 22101-2296

13. Type of Report and Period Covered Interim Report December 2010

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. Supplementary Notes None

16. Abstract This document provides a strategic plan for the Long-Term Pavement Performance program Information Management System. The plan consists of a vision and mission, six strategic goals along with strategies to implement the goals and performance measures to determine progress against the goals. The six goals are: 1. Maintain the LTPP IMS, 2. Add New Data and Information,

3. Enhance Access and Understanding, 4. Improve Utilization, 5. Disseminate Information, 6.

Provide Access to Other Reliable Pavement Performance Data.

The purpose of this LTPP IMS strategic plan is to provide a formal basis for future improvements.

This is intended as a management level document to solicit input from LTPP stakeholders including the LTPP TRB Committee, LTPP TRB Expert Task group for Special Activities, and others.

17. Key Words Long Term Pavement Performance, LTPP, Pavement Performance, Relational Database, Pavement Research, Information Management System, Strategic Plan

18. Distribution Statement No restrictions.

19. Security Classif. (of this report) Unclassified

20. Security Classif. (of this page) Unclassified

21. No. of Pages

22. Price

Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized iii

SI* (MODERN METRIC) CONVERSION FACTORS

APPROXIMATE CONVERSIONS TO SI UNITS

Symbol When You Know Multiply By To Find Symbol

LENGTH

in inches 25.4 millimeters mm ft feet 0.305 meters m yd yards 0.914 meters m mi miles 1.61 kilometers km

AREA

in2 square inches 645.2 square millimeters mm2 ft2 square feet 0.093 square meters m2 yd2 square yard 0.836 square meters m2 ac acres 0.405 hectares ha mi2 square miles 2.59 square kilometers km2

VOLUME

fl oz fluid ounces 29.57 milliliters mL gal gallons 3.785 liters L ft3 cubic feet 0.028 cubic meters m3 yd3 cubic yards 0.765 cubic meters m3

NOTE: volumes greater than 1000 L shall be shown in m3

MASS

oz ounces 28.35 grams g lb pounds 0.454 kilograms kg T short tons (2000 lb) 0.907 megagrams (or "metric ton") Mg (or "t")

TEMPERATURE (exact degrees) oF Fahrenheit 5 (F-32)/9 Celsius oC or (F-32)/1.8

ILLUMINATION

fc foot-candles 10.76 lux lx fl foot-Lamberts 3.426 candela/m2 cd/m2

FORCE and PRESSURE or STRESS lbf poundforce 4.45 newtons N lbf/in2 poundforce per square inch 6.89 kilopascals kPa

APPROXIMATE CONVERSIONS FROM SI UNITS

Symbol When You Know Multiply By To Find Symbol

LENGTH

mm millimeters 0.039 inches in m meters 3.28 feet ft m meters 1.09 yards yd km kilometers 0.621 miles mi

AREA

mm2 square millimeters 0.0016 square inches in2 m2 square meters 10.764 square feet ft2 m2 square meters 1.195 square yards yd2 ha hectares 2.47 acres ac km2 square kilometers 0.386 square miles mi2

VOLUME

mL milliliters 0.034 fluid ounces fl oz L liters 0.264 gallons gal m3 cubic meters 35.314 cubic feet ft3 m3 cubic meters 1.307 cubic yards yd3

MASS

g grams 0.035 ounces oz kg kilograms 2.202 pounds lb Mg (or "t") megagrams (or "metric ton") 1.103 short tons (2000 lb) T

TEMPERATURE (exact degrees) oC Celsius 1.8C+32 Fahrenheit oF

ILLUMINATION

lx lux 0.0929 foot-candles fc cd/m2 candela/m2 0.2919 foot-Lamberts fl

FORCE and PRESSURE or STRESS N newtons 0.225 poundforce lbf kPa kilopascals 0.145 poundforce per square inch lbf/in2

*SI is the symbol for th International System of Units. Appropriate rounding should be made to comply with Section 4 of ASTM E380. e (Revised March 2003)

LTPP IMS Strategic Plan 2015 Version 1.0, December 15, 2010 iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. Purpose

3. LTPP Information Management System

4. LTPP IMS 2015 Vision and Mission 2015 LTPP IMS Vision Statement 2015 LTPP IMS Mission Statement

5. LTPP IMS Strategic Goals Goal 1. Maintain the LTPP IMS Goal 2. Add New Data and Information Goal 3. Enhance Access and Understanding Goal 4. Improve Utilization Goal 5. Disseminate Information Goal 6. Provide Access to Other Reliable Pavement Performance Data

6. Strategies Goal 1. Maintain the LTPP IMS Goal 2. Add New Data and Information Goal 3. Improve Access and Understanding Goal 4. Improve Utilization Goal 5. Disseminate Information Goal 6. Provide Access to Other Reliable Pavement Performance Data

7. Collaboration

LONG-TERM PAVEMENT PERFORMANCE

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

STRATEGIC PLAN 2015

1. Introduction

The LTPP program began operations in 1987 under the 5-year Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) administered by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). LTPP field data collection began in 1989. In 1992, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) made a commitment to assume management and administrative responsibilities to continue LTPP and complete the period of pavement performance monitoring. It was always understood that realizing the full benefit of this research investment required the program to be continued over the long term, originally envisioned as a period of 20 years - the minimum duration necessary to establish a path to better roads.

In 2009, the LTPP program reached its 20-year milestone - a critical transition phase in this national pavement research initiative just like the end of the first 5-year SHRP program. Two decades of data collection and analyses results are available to continue advancing pavement engineering science, provide valuable insights and innovations, and develop useable products.

The realities of pavement research on in-service pavements and budget cuts have left some work to be performed to take full advantage of the investment in the LTPP program. One reality of research on in-service pavements is that it took longer than anticipated to complete construction of experimental test sections. Some longer life test sections had only been in-service for 10-years by 2009. Budget cuts have delayed enhancements needed to make the database easier to use. In the FHWA published document “LTPP Beyond 2009: What Needs to be Done?” the following categories of remaining work were identified:

1. Provide ongoing security and maintenance of the LTPP database and manage the MRL

2. Continue to support LTPP database users

3. Further develop the LTPP database including additional data collection and database refinements

4. Continue data analysis and product development

The LTPP database was highlighted in the “LTPP Beyond 2009” document. However, the database is just one aspect of the broader base of information available from the LTPP program.

This broader knowledge base is now referred to as the LTPP Information Management System (IMS). This paper provides vision, mission, and goals for LTPP IMS over the 2010-2015 period.

In the first 20 years of the LTPP program, emphasis was placed on collection and dissemination of the research data related to pavement performance with limited funding for data analysis. This was exacerbated by cuts in program funding, which further reduced funding for analysis of LTPP data so that long-term collection of basic data could continue. In the later years of the program, a transition point will be reached when emphasis must shift to data analysis and dissemination of knowledge and information gained from years of data collection.

Knowledge-based information dissemination from analysis of LTPP data has already begun.

However, the final capstone findings can only occur after the majority of the field measurements have been completed. For example, while some of the early findings from analysis of the AASHO Road Test were published in 1962, it took an additional 13 years to codify these findings into practice. Research findings from the LTPP program were used in the development of the new Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG), which requires additional efforts to calibrate to local conditions. Based on lessons learned, LTPP management is committed to shortening the research to practice implementation cycle time. As data from the Road Test continued to be used for 20 or more years, LTPP data is expected to be used well into the future.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this LTPP IMS strategic plan is to provide a formal basis for future improvements. This is intended as a management level document to solicit input from LTPP stakeholders including the LTPP TRB Committee, LTPP TRB Expert Task group for Special Activities, and others. This plan contains vision and mission statements, classifies activities by goals, and provides overarching strategies with key initiatives within these strategies to achieve the stated goals. LTPP management desires to obtain multiple inputs from many sources in order to help make decisions on efficient and effective allocation of program resources.

3. LTPP Information Management System

A definition of what is meant by LTPP IMS is required since its meaning has changed over the years. While the LTPP program is best known for development of its premiere pavement performance database, it has also created a knowledge base that extends well beyond the collected data. In addition to the data contained in the formal relational databases, the LTPP IMS knowledge base includes findings from early analysis of LTPP data; raw data sources used to populate the electronic databases; extensive documentation for all aspects of experiment design, data acquisition, quality control and data dissemination format; and LTPP related products.

The LTPP IMS is defined as the mechanisms used to store, preserve, and disseminate the electronic data, resources, information, research findings, and electronic tools and products from the LTPP program. The LTPP IMS is comprised of two major components: the Pavement Performance Database (PPDB) and the Ancillary Information Management System (AIMS).

LTPP PPDB – LTPP PPDB is the premier pavement performance database produced by the LTPP program. It contains comprehensive data aiming at finding out how and why pavements perform the way they do. The LTPP PPDB was developed and operated as an Oracle® based relational database, and the latest production database is implemented in Oracle 10i. The LTPP program issues annual standard data releases (SDRs) of the LTPP PPDB using Microsoft® Access Database formats for easy and convenient dissemination and use. The PPDB SDR enables the users to harness the power of relational databases to manipulate large amounts of data at a reasonable cost and with ease-of-use.

LTPP AIMS – A central electronic archive of the data (not contained in the LTPP PPDB), information, documents, research reports or briefs, and tools that were collected or developed by the LTPP program, as well as using LTPP data.

4. LTPP IMS 2015 Vision and Mission

The following is the LTPP IMS Vision and Mission statement by which efforts will be guided.

2015 LTPP IMS Vision Statement

The LTPP IMS is the preeminent repository of pavement performance data and tools.

2015 LTPP IMS Mission Statement

Develop a secure IMS which contains comprehensive data sets of known quality and tools that support an improved understanding of pavement performance.

5. LTPP IMS Strategic Goals

Based upon the guiding Vision and Mission, the following are the LTPP IMS strategic goals.

Goal 1. Maintain the LTPP IMS

Maintain LTPP IMS security and accessibility so that elements cannot be lost, corrupted, or otherwise made unavailable to users. Continue the process of developing and maintaining the information technology structure of the LTPP IMS to meet program needs.

Goal 2. Add New Data and Information

Populate the LTPP IMS with new LTPP data, new experiments and associated data elements as it becomes available.

Goal 3. Enhance Access and Understanding

Provide access to the LTPP IMS on demand through a web centric interface and provide education and tools to maximize user understanding of the information.

Goal 4. Improve Utilization

Deploy tools that increase efficiency of utilization of the LTPP IMS.

Goal 5. Disseminate Information

Disseminate information and products to maximize the impact and effectiveness of the LTPP Program.

Goal 6. Provide Access to Other Reliable Pavement Performance Data

Create a platform (processes, procedures, and rules) within the LTPP IMS to add data from other pavement performance information sources.

6. Strategies

In order to keep the LTPP program at the forefront of pavement engineering innovation, the following overarching strategies describe core activities central to the LTPP mission and discretionary activities which may be pursued with adequate funds.

Goal 1. Maintain the LTPP IMS

The purpose of this activity is to provide support, in terms of data security and technology change, so that LTPP data and information will continue to be available to users until 2050. At that time, it is reasonable to expect that newer pavement technologies will have replaced pavements included in the current LTPP program, whose original construction occurred between 1965 to 2000. Today, data and information from the AASHO Road Test might be considered antiquated for the same reason.

All of the activities under this goal are considered core activities. Core activities will continue to be performed as part of the primary LTPP mission as long as the program is in operation.

Database Security

Security and preservation of the LTPP IMS has been a top priority in its development from the start of the program. The original LTPP contractors under the SHRP program selected a self describing relational database structure as the basis of the electronic database. The key feature of a self-describing database is that the schema defining the data storage structure, also known as metadata, is contained in the database. If the data can be read by a machine, then the schema and metadata can also be read. Backup procedures for the LTPP IMS include storage of generic computer readable data files that are not dependent on custom software to read them. LTPP investment in data security has reduced the risk of data loss to a minimum.

The Federal Government enacted the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) of 2002, which requires federal agencies to develop guidelines based upon the Office of Management and Budget Circular 130. Since the LTPP program is now under management of the Federal Government, the LTPP program will continue to comply with these guidelines.

Develop Web-Centric Platform

The LTPP IMS was initially designed around a physically distributed data network model. The primary input nodes were operated by the four regional data collection contractors with data integration performed centrally through data transfer on physical media.

Cost considerations have always been an influential consideration in the design of the LTPP data model. In 1990, it was cheaper to use a distributed data model because electronic transfer of data was still in its infancy. Today, the internet and associated security software provides a more economical and convenient network model than was possible in the past.

The first activity in creation of the web-centric platform is development of a single central database as the primary portal for data entry. The regional contractors will continue their data processing and quality control role as in the past. Instead of connecting to a local server in their office, they will connect to the central database using a secure Internet connection.

As part of the web-centric development, the PPDB and LTAS databases will be combined to run on one platform to create efficiencies in operation and data extraction. After the web-enabled central database becomes stable, there will no longer be a need for support of four regional LTPP databases. In concept, all of the functionality of the previous system will be maintained or upgraded.

Technology Updates

Keeping current with changes in computer technology and electronic data storage standards has been a continuing challenge to the program since 1987. The rate of change in electronic technology related to databases follows a 5 - 10 year cycle. While new products enter the market on a more frequent cycle, ability to read and translate older database technology is generally supported for up to 10 years. The data backup procedures employed by the LTPP program currently allow for a 20 year plus window of data electronic interchange to occur. The program will continue to maintain currency with modern electronic computer standards.

Another core function of the LTPP program will be to update electronic technologies at the appropriate time. The update philosophy of the electronic aspects of the LTPP program could be considered conservative, since the history of the program has been to wait until new electronic technologies have matured enough to become stable. A key factor in the decision to upgrade software has been associated with the software vendor dropping support for a previous product.

The LTPP program will continue to follow this technology update philosophy until such time as change appears to be warranted.

Operations Infrastructure

The practicality of updates to electronic database infrastructure is also budget driven. LTPP invested $40,000 in new state of the art electronic equipment for the central production database server located at TFHRC in 2009. This includes 50 terabytes of data storage for primary and backup storage of the LTPP IMS archive. The initial investment in computer hardware for the LTPP program was more than $200,000 in 1990 (approximately $325,000 in 2010 dollars). It is difficult to compare the initial and current systems due to the great change in computer technology in the last 20 years.

The new server is expected to have an effective life of more than 5 years. In the past, programming investments in computer hardware on a 5 year cycle has proven to be near the optimum cost/benefit ratio. The rate of decrease in cost of computer hardware technology versus the benefits of speed and increased storage capacity in the future may change this cost/benefit ratio optimum to a shorter cycle time. Fortunately for the LTPP program, as the need for greater central electronic storage has emerged, the cost has decreased.

Under FHWA management, the LTPP program’s databases will continue be migrated to more modern electronic computer database platforms as long as the data and information base remains relevant to future pavement engineering practice.

Intellectual Knowledge

A key challenge to programs that last more than 20-years is retention of intellectual knowledge from those who participated in the original program planning, development, and execution. In the planning stages of programs such as LTPP, experts at the zenith of their careers were sought in order to benefit from their knowledge and experience. To LTPP’s benefit, the early experts included some younger engineers in the various project staffs. The number of individuals who have worked on the LTPP program continuously since 1987 as their primary assignment can now be counted on one hand. The group of individuals working on the program since 1993 requires two hands.

The major strategies that will continue to be employed by the LTPP program for retention of intellectual knowledge include documentation of all aspects of the program, and publication of the 20 year report.

Performance Measures

Performance measures for these activities include:

• Number of security intrusions (goal = 0)

• Number of instances of data loss (goal = 0)

• Annual test of backup restoration process (yes/no)

• Deployment of web centric data entry portal (yes/no)

• Monthly backups of LTPP IMS stored off-site (yes/no)

• Successful submission of LTPP PPDB and LTAS to the National Archives on a yearly basis (yes/no)

• Database platform (e.g. 10g, 11) still supported by Oracle (yes/no)

• All major operations documented and up to-date (yes/no)

• Backup personnel in place for all major operations (yes/no)

Goal 2. Add New Data and Information

The LTPP IMS will continue to be populated with new data and information as it becomes available.

Core activities will continue to be performed as part of the primary LTPP mission as long as the program is in operation. The core activities related to adding new data and information include the following.

Entry and Processing of Monitoring Data

Entry and processing of data from monitoring of existing test sections will be continued. The monitoring measurements performed by the LTPP program include manual distress surveys, transverse profile, fault height, longitudinal profile, deflection, forensic data, new data elements, and, on test sections included in the SPS Pooled Fund Study, traffic data. Materials, traffic, maintenance, rehabilitation, and friction data submitted by participating highway agencies will also be entered and processed. The previous limitation, which required a test section receiving rehabilitation or other treatments that covered the surface to be placed out of study, has been dropped. Existing test sections that receive these treatments can continue to be monitored into the future.

Update of Climate Data

The last update of climate data included data collected through 2007. The next update of climate data using data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Canadian climate data center is scheduled for 2013.

Update of Materials Data

Materials data which can be stored in the existing database structure will continue to be entered.

This includes data from new rehabilitation treatments, forensic investigations and updates to previously entered data such as the coefficient of thermal expansion data from PCC cores.

Update of AIMS Information

The AIMS data associated with the routine data collection activities noted above will continue to be added to the archives. This includes 25 mm longitudinal profile data, FWD time histories, photographs taken during manual distress surveys, scanned copies of paper data collection forms, and other items specified in LTPP Directive GO-48 “AIMS Electronic Data Format, Submission Standards, and Dates” (or future versions of the directive on this subject).

Update LTPP Reference Library

Both the physical and electronic LTPP Reference Library will continue to be updated with new additions from LTPP analysis projects, updates to the database reference guides, digitized legacy documents, forensic investigation reports, LTPP 20 year report, etc.

The following discretionary activities can enhance and expand the usefulness of the LTPP program and may be pursued depending on available funding and other considerations.

• Experiment on long-term performance of warm mix asphalt pavement structures. This definition of long-term is more than 10 years to differentiate it from NCHRP project 09- 49A which defines long-term pavement performance as more than 4 years.

• Experiment on composite pavement structures as a follow up to the SHRP-2 research effort.

• Experiments directly integrating accelerated pavement testing and long-term performance measurements on in-service pavements.

• Experiments on sustainable approaches to pavements.

• Other long-term experiments on in-service pavements.

• Number of records in each module of the database (accurate counts)

• Completion of climate data update (yes/no)

• Compliance of population of the AIMS with LTPP guidelines (yes/no)

• LTPP Reference Library up to-date (yes/no)

• Number of documents in LTPP Reference Library (counts)

Goal 3. Improve Access and Understanding

The purpose of this activity is to improve access and understanding of LTPP data. The main strategy to achieve this goal is to provide access to the LTPP IMS on-demand through a web centric interface and provide education and tools to maximize user understanding of the information.

Internet Access to Data and Information

Updates to the current online data viewing and extraction software are being performed at this time by adding a geographic information system interface, adding test section videos and photographs, developing standard data sets for common data uses, and providing summary data, graphs, and new query wizards to help users find data and information they are interested in.

Future improvements that surpass current LTPP internet access functionality limitations, such as faster downloads, expanded query ability, and access to all AIMS data, are also being considered. Improved Internet access to LTPP data is considered a LTPP core activity.

LTPP Customer Support Service Center

One of the functions of LTPP CSSC is to assist data users with understanding the information available in the LTPP IMS through a technical question and answer process. This function is intended to be continued as a core LTPP function. The learning support functions provided by this center will continue to be enhanced and expanded.

Internet Training Tutorials

The objective of this discretionary activity is to create on-line training tutorials, which allow those interested in using LTPP data the ability to pick and choose training data modules of interest to them. This project would be based on previous development work on presentation style training courses developed for Seasonal Monitoring Data and DataPave products. It can also be supplemented with university level curriculum developed independent of the LTPP program. Embedding training tools in the data access interface is also being considered.

• Percentage of LTPP IMS that can be accessed through the internet (goal = 100%)

• Provision of the LTPP Customer Support Center (yes/no)

• Feedback from users of the training tutorials related to usefulness, applicability, missing topics, and understandability (number of feedback reports)

• Number of training tutorials (count increasing)

Goal 4. Improve Utilization

The purpose of this activity is to deploy tools that increase efficiency of utilization of the LTPP IMS. All of the following activities are considered discretionary projects.

Strategies

• Create topical “ready to use” data set extractions (queries)

• Increase the number of computed (interpreted) data parameters

• Create data views/visualization tools

• Create data manipulation tools (widgets) to perform often used extractions, data views, or data manipulation

• Create analysis database

• Move to web-based contextual search and data extraction methodologies

• Create framework for external development of LTPP IMS applications

• Partner with AASHTO to provide inputs to DARWIN ME

• Encourage users to use LTPP IMS in literature reviews for research projects (NCHRP)

• Number of canned queries available (count increasing)

• Number of computed parameters available (count increasing)

• Number of data views/visualization tools (count increasing)

• Number of data manipulation tools (count increasing)

• Development of contextual search capabilities (yes/no)

• Number of external LTPP IMS search and extraction tools (count increasing)

• Number of Darwin ME ready to use data sets (count increasing)

• Number of in research papers submitted to TRB that use LTPP data (count)

Goal 5. Disseminate Information

The purpose of this activity is to disseminate information and products to maximize the impact and effectiveness of the LTPP program.

The following core activities will continue to be performed as part of the primary LTPP mission as long as the program is in operation.

Standard Data Release

The LTPP Standard Data Release (SDR) is the primary dissemination mechanism for LTPP data.

The SDR contains the most recent extraction of data contained in the pavement performance and LTPP Traffic Analysis Software (LTAS) databases. The data is divided into a series of database modules so that it can be distributed in Microsoft Access format. The SDR also contains the LTPP Electronic Reference Library, which contains electronic versions of LTPP documentation.

The SDR is currently distributed free of charge on DVD media.

Internet Access to Data and Information

Provide on-demand internet access to up to-date LTPP data and information. This task will eventually supersede or replace the need for a Standard Data Release.

Customer Support Service Center

The LTPP Customer Support Service Center (CSSC) provides a central point of user access to the most recent data, information and technical knowledge concerning the LTPP program. The following core activities are planned to be continued:

• Disseminate the LTPP SDR

• Disseminate AIMS data, photographs, videos, and scanned data forms

• Provide custom extractions of data from the LTPP IMS

• Provide updated documentation for data users

• Provide answers to data-users questions

• Compile data user demographics and data uses

The following discretionary activities are intended to enhance and expand the usefulness of the LTPP program and may be pursued depending on available funding and other considerations.

• Perform market research to identify the characteristics of primary LTPP data users and their needs

• Develop new products from LTPP data that are of interest to the current practitioners

• Define product needs developed from LTPP data, and develop strategies to make LTPP data easier to use

• Number of SDRs distributed (count)

• Number of custom data extractions (count)

• Amount of AIMS data distributed (number of requests)

• Number of hits on public data access web site (count)

• User satisfaction surveys (ratings)

• Tracking data user demographics (summary)

• Number of customer service requests (count)

• Number of custom data extraction requests (count)

• Customer support response time (summary)

• Complexity of customer support requests (summary)

Goal 6. Provide Access to Other Reliable Pavement Performance Data

The purpose of this activity is to create a platform (processes, procedures, and rules) within the LTPP IMS to add data from other pavement performance information sources. An outcome of this activity is to provide greater access to other “reliable” pavement performance data. In this instance reliable means the data is from a trusted source, the data are factual and are not generally considered biased, documentation of data collection methodologies are available, and data storage schema and units of measurement are known. Other criteria in the selection of pavement performance data to be made publicly available include:

• Data completeness

• Data sources

• Current state of the electronic version of the data

• Data quality checks

• Minimum required data elements required to define a pavement structure and its loading

• Relevance to current and future pavement practice

Strategies

All of the activities which support this goal are discretionary and would be pursued under conditions that do not jeopardize core LTPP activities. Some of these activities may include access to:

• Westrack data

• TFHRC research

• AASHO Road Test Data

• FHWA pavement research projects

• State pavement research data

• NCHRP project data

• International LTPP programs – Canada, Australia, China, New Zealand, Scandinavia

• Number of pavement performance data sets outside of LTPP accessed through the LTPP IMS (count increasing)

7. Collaboration

In pursuing the activities described in this plan, the LTPP program will work closely and collaboratively with TRB LTPP peer review committees, other FHWA offices, and with the broader community of highway stakeholders to ensure that the program:

• Is well coordinated with related work by others to avoid duplication of effort and to maximize the overall value of the R&D investments.

• Delivers outcomes in the form of readily implementable products at the earliest appropriate time.

• Moves products into practice as quickly as possible to achieve maximum possible benefits.

7. Collaboration