IFB_2501601_ATTACHMENT_L_-_FDOT_MAINTENANCE_RATING_PROGRAM_HANDBOOK_08-12-2025.pdf

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

MAINTENANCE RATING PROGRAM

HANDBOOK

DATA COLLECTION

FOR

MAINTENANCE RATING PROGRAM

Prepared by

Office of Maintenance

2018 Edition

Additional copies of this handbook may be obtained from:

Office of Maintenance or

Maps and Publications Office

605 Suwannee Street

Mail Station 12

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450 or

Phone: (850) 414-4050

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The development of this program was conducted by the Office of Maintenance, Florida

Department of Transportation, in cooperation with Maintenance representatives from all Districts within the State. Acknowledgment to: Maintenance Levels-of-Service Guidelines, National

Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 223, Transportation Research Board, National

Research Council, Washington, D.C., June 1980, for guidelines in developing our Maintenance

Rating Program and in providing some verbiage in this manual. Any ongoing revisions are the result of continuous review by a team established by the District Maintenance Engineers for that purpose. The team consists of a representative from each district. Our thanks and appreciation goes to those members for many long hours of meetings, research and study in the continuing development and refinement to this program.

This handbook is available on the Office of Maintenance web site http://www.dot.state.fl.us/statemaintenanceoffice/MaintRatingProgram.shtm. Printed copies of the handbook may be obtained from the Maps and Publications Sales Office, 605 Suwannee

Street, Mail Station 12, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450, or telephone (850) 414-4050.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

TERMINOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

SURVEY SAMPLE SELECTION

SURVEY SAMPLE LIST/CODING FORM

SURVEY FREQUENCY

DATA COLLECTION

CREW ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

GENERAL NOTES

CODING SHEET

GENERAL INFORMATION

CODING INSTRUCTIONS

ELEMENTS/CHARACTERISTICS

MAINTENANCE RATING PROGRAM STANDARDS

ROADWAY

ROADSIDE

TRAFFIC SERVICES

DRAINAGE

VEGETATION AND AESTHETICS

CLEAR ZONE VEGETATION CRITERIA ………………………………………… 115

DATA ENTRY

OUTPUT REPORT……………………………………………………………………… 138

Revisions FDOT MRP Handbook 2018 Page Paragraph Description Page Paragraph Description

13 Vegetation/Aesthetic Added Turf Conditions 76 Sign Tolerance Mile Marker Offset

18 Flexible Edge Raveling Evaluation 82 Object Markers &

Delineators

A delineator with 2 reflective sides mounted on top of a double face guardrail is rated as

1 delineator.

60 Pavement Symbols …or 50% or greater of any one symbol… 100 Inlets Figure showing open area of an

Inlet

60 Pavement Symbols If more than 50% of one symbol is missing or not reflective for a distance of 160 feet using low beam headlights during nighttime observation.

121 Turf Conditions Added ‘Curb/Sidewalk Joints’

73 Signs less than or equal to 30 Sq.

Ft.

Sign Tolerances

75 Signs less than or equal to 30 Sq.

Ft.

2) Missing sign or there is missing connecting hardware, nuts or bolts

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ABSTRACT

The information contained in this handbook defines a method of conducting a visual and mechanical evaluation of routine highway maintenance conditions. The purpose of this evaluation is to provide information that should be used to schedule and prioritize routine maintenance activities and provide uniform maintenance conditions that meet established Departmental objectives. General program requirements are outlined in the Maintenance Rating Program procedure, Topic No. 850-065-002.

This handbook is, primarily, for the use of personnel responsible for conducting the Maintenance

Rating Program Survey. Training for conducting the survey was provided to initiate the program and additional training will be provided as required. The survey is being conducted on all types of highway facilities. The type of maintenance required determines the classification of a particular facility. The current facility type classifications are as follows:

1. Rural Limited Access

2. Rural Arterial

3. Urban Limited Access

4. Urban Arterial

Each of the highway facility types is divided into 5 elements:

1. Roadway

2. Roadside

3. Traffic Services

4. Drainage

5. Vegetation/Aesthetics

Further divisions of these elements include those features that are characteristic to an individual element. For example, the Roadside element is composed of the following characteristics:

A. Unpaved Shoulder

B. Front Slope

C. Slope Pavement

D. Sidewalk

E. Fence

The field worksheet/data processing input coding forms list all characteristics that are to be evaluated in the survey. A sample form is included in the CODING SHEET section of this manual.

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TERMINOLOGY

FACILITY TYPE - Classification is determined by the type of maintenance applied to the facility

(rural or urban) and the access to and from the facility (Limited Access or Arterial).

MAINTENANCE ELEMENT - A part of the highway system that requires maintenance (e.g., roadway, traffic services, aesthetics).

CHARACTERISTIC - A part or parts of a maintenance element that, combined with other characteristics, compose the maintenance element (e.g., Roadside is composed of: unpaved shoulder, front slope, slope pavement, sidewalk and fence).

MAINTENANCE CONDITION - That condition of an element characteristic that requires routine maintenance to prevent deficiencies or that need to be repaired or corrected.

LEVEL-OF-MAINTENANCE - That point or level of a maintenance condition in relation to a desired level of maintenance.

EDGE OF PAVEMENT – Is the outside edge of pavement (travel way or paved shoulder) where it meets the curb or unpaved shoulder.

FUNCTION AS INTENDED – Characteristics that meet the desired maintenance conditions as determined by the applicable Standard Plans, or Maintenance Rating Program guidelines.

QUALIFIED STATUS – For team leaders, a qualified team leader is a person who is responsible to perform the MRP survey for the Department’s sample points. A team leader must have worked as an active MRP team member and participated in the annual MRP Consistency

Workshop for three consecutive years while maintaining a minimum annual score of 85% on the eight consistency sample points, or been a member of the MRP Task Team or MRP Steering

Committee for more than two years, or must meet ALL the following qualifications:

• Three years of demonstrated operational field experience, or a minimum of one-year experience as a registered member of an MRP team, or Professional Engineer with demonstrated operational field experience;

• Participation at the annual MRP Consistency Workshop with a minimum score of

85% on the eight consistency sample points; and,

• Successful completion of a written qualification examination with a minimum score of 90%.

To maintain qualification as an MRP Team Leader, the incumbent must have participated in one of the annual MRP Consistency Workshops within the last two years with a minimum score of

85% on the eight consistency sample points, passed an annual quality control (QC) check by the

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 3

District with acceptable ratings, and passed an annual quality assurance (QA) review performed by the Office of Maintenance with acceptable ratings.

The following are requirements for maintaining MRP team qualifications:

• Participation at the annual MRP Consistency Workshop with a minimum score of

85% on the eight consistency sample points.

If the MRP Team Leader qualification requirements are not maintained, any one or all of the following may be required:

• Retake the written qualification examination with a minimum score of 90%.

• Suspension of qualifications for six months to one year, as determined by the

Director, Office of Maintenance.

Each MRP Team Leader and their team members must register with the Office of Maintenance’s

MRP and Roadside Manager prior to conducting any MRP reviews during the year. Any changes of teams or their members must be submitted to the Office of Maintenance’s MRP and Roadside

Manager prior to conducting MRP for any sample period.

TEMPORARY STATUS - The following requirements are for obtaining temporary MRP team leader qualifications until the next annual Consistency Workshop becomes available.

• Three years of operational field experience, or a minimum of one year experience as a registered member of an MRP team, or Professional Engineer with demonstrated operational field experience.

• Submit in writing to the Office of Maintenance for review and approval, a resume documenting your educational back ground and operational field experience.

• Successful completion of a written qualification examination with a minimum score of 90%.

• Successful completion of a 10 point QC /QAR review according to the Maintenance

Rating Program procedure, Topic No. 850-065-002.

Successfully completing a 10 point QC/QAR review according to Procedure #850-065-002

ACRONYMS

MRP - Maintenance Rating Program.

SLD’s – Straight Line Diagrams.

RPM’s – Raised Pavement Markers.

DMI – Distance Measuring Instrument.

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MMS – Maintenance Management System

R-O-W – Right of Way.

MUTCD – Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

RCI – Roadway Characteristics Inventory.

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INTRODUCTION

The Department is responsible for maintaining the highways in a safe and comfortable condition for the users and for protecting the public investment in these facilities. Field supervisors are assisted in maintaining desired conditions by recommended levels of service prepared by maintenance engineers for various highway elements (roadway, roadside, traffic services, drainage, and vegetation). These desired maintenance conditions are neither a minimum or a maximum condition but rather a level of service influenced by a number of considerations, such as safety, protection of public investment, comfort, economics, environmental impact, aesthetics and not least, money constraints on available resources (personnel, equipment and materials). The decision of which elements should be maintained at a desired level of service and which should be allowed to regress were, generally, made informally by maintenance personnel (e.g., field supervisors). Consequently, because of these many and complicated factors, inconsistent decisions were made that result in unintended lower levels of maintenance.

Because of these inconsistencies and resulting lower levels of maintenance, a systematic and formal method of making policy decisions for desired levels of maintenance was developed. This method, now called the Maintenance Rating Program, was implemented in April 1985. This program considers of those factors talked about previously and allows different levels of service for varying maintenance elements and highway classifications.

This handbook does not address the steps involved in the development of the program. Instead, it is produced as guidelines for those responsible for gathering the data needed to implement and maintain the program. This edition of the handbook still does not address every situation or answer every question encountered in conducting the survey or maintaining the MRP, but, as experience is gained, it will be applied to these instructions for further expansion and refinement. Classroom and on-the-job training will supplement this handbook in the continuance of the program.

SURVEY SAMPLE SELECTION

The Maintenance Rating Program uses the Department's data processing system to store information collected. This data is grouped and compared to desired levels or conditions of maintenance. Data processing is also used to produce those samples of highways to be surveyed.

These samples are selected from the Department's Roadway Characteristics Inventory, by listing all facilities by length and classification (e.g. Urban Limited Access) and then applying a random number generator program to produce locations to be surveyed. Versatility of the random number generator allows selection by facility type, by county, by maintenance area (yard), by district or on a statewide level. A sample sheet listing the district, maintenance area, county section and subsection, location by mile and other pertinent information is explained in the SURVEY

SAMPLE LIST section of this handbook.

The complete list contains the number of samples required for each facility type based upon the available mileage.

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SURVEY SAMPLE LIST/CODING FORM

The Survey Sample List (a sample copy is provided at the end of this section) is a computer printout listing the maintenance area, facility type number, county section and subsection, state road number and location of sample by milepost. The number of samples for each Maintenance Area will normally be 30 per facility type or a minimum of 3 samples per available mile. If the mileage for any facility type is less than 3, no samples will be generated for evaluation. Alternate samples are provided for use when a primary sample is unacceptable for evaluation. This is explained later in this section of the handbook. The maintenance area number is the FLORIDA DEPARTMENT

OF TRANSPORTATION designation and is three digits of 1 thru 9. The next column on the list is the facility type number. The county section number is the FDOT county numbering system of five digits between 00000 and 99999. The state road number is then listed for each sample. The next column on the list is the mile point at the CENTER of the selected sample.

SURVEY FREQUENCY

A listing of samples required to be surveyed will be provided to each District by the Office of

Maintenance on the following frequency:

Scheduled Sample Period - The District will be responsible for completing the survey of those samples in the District not later than the last working day of the scheduled period. The District will assure that all data is verified as correct and entered in the appropriate place in the

Department's data processing system no later than the last day of the rating period.

It is recommended that the data collected be entered into the data processing system on a regular basis. The computer file will provide a safe storage place with means of quick retrieval, if necessary. Statistically, partial data cannot be used until all samples have been completed and entered, however, interim and preliminary reports may be required for planning, current status or interpolated information.

As Required - Occasionally, a survey of a particular section of roadway (e.g., a roadway adjacent or leading to a popular tourist attraction) will be requested. Other occasions will require surveys for a particular facility type (e.g., URBAN LIMITED ACCESS), by individual section, by a grouping of sections, by county, by maintenance area or any combination of facility types by sections, counties, maintenance areas, districts or statewide. In most instances, priorities and completion dates will be assigned to these additional requests, possibly requiring some adjustment to existing and other workloads.

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DATA COLLECTION

The data must be collected accurately and completely to maintain credibility of the program and because ratings may be used by other sections and divisions within the Department, other State of

Florida Agencies, and possibly by other states and federal agencies.

CREW ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A Maintenance Rating Program survey team will be composed of a minimum of two persons.

Each district will be responsible for implementing and maintaining the Maintenance Rating

Program.

It is mandatory that the MRP survey team's first responsibility be the safety of the pedestrian and motoring public and themselves. On occasions, it may be necessary to schedule the survey of those samples with high traffic density during low traffic periods to provide proper safety. It may become necessary to request a safety crew (flag persons, cones, signs, flashing directional arrow) from the maintenance area in which the survey is taking place. The survey team shall walk together, facing traffic, as they evaluate each sample. Facing traffic is for safety of the survey team, and walking together to prevent missing items that might be overlooked by one person and to permit accurate measurements.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

The following is a list of equipment and supplies for the efficient and safe collection of the survey data:

• Copy of Maintenance Rating Program Handbook

• FDOT approved reflective safety vest or apparel

• FDOT approved Flashing warning lights for vehicles

• Vehicle with installed Distance Measuring Instrument (DMI) (calibrated before each rating period) when necessary

• Current copy of Straight-line diagram (SLD) maps for those sections to be sampled

• Maintenance Rating Program coding sheets

• Writing device (pencil or pen)

• Sample point marking material (e.g., paint, reflective tape)

• Measuring wheel

• Measuring tape

• Straightedge (4 ft to 8 ft) (metal or wood)

• Leveling device (carpenter's level or string level)

• String line

• Hand held optical level

➢ Probing device (rod or screw driver)

➢ Legal size writing clipboard

➢ Pocket type calculator

➢ Paper clips

➢ Metal pry bar

➢ Small box to hold supplies and coding forms

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 8

➢ Other publication (e.g., Standard Plans, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control

Devices)

➢ Roadway Characteristics Inventory (RCI) printouts:

Location of outfall ditches

Location of landscaped areas

Location of highway lighting (Maintained by the Department)

• Mandatory Items

➢ Optional Items

NOTE:

Some items on the above list are necessary for proper collection of the data. Other items or supplies that will make collection of the survey data safer or more efficient may be included.

Current Straight line Diagrams should be available from the District Planning Section or the

District Maintenance Office for each maintenance area.

GENERAL NOTES:

• Any feature or characteristic that is included in your RCI shall be rated under the MRP criteria. If necessary, verify inventoried limits with your respective MMS/RCI Manager.

• Rate all sample points from right-of-way to right-of-way, with the exception of rest areas, weight stations, service plazas, welcome centers, and inspection stations.

• If the sample point falls within the limits of a rest area, weight station, inspection station, etc. project the right-of-way limits across the ramp and rate for normal maintenance criteria.

• A sample is 1/10 mile or 528 feet in length.

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SAMPLE EVALUATION POINTS CODING SHEET

NOTES on columns to the right of coding area:

• XXX in the first column: Indicates this as an asset maintenance shared sample point.

• The number in the first column: Indicates sample counter observation number.

• *: Indicates this as an alternate sample point.

• Column with the number 500: Indicates the roadway section, subsection number.

• C: Indicates a sample point where construction was completed within the last year.

• REC# column: Indicates the record number in the data base.

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 10

CODING SHEETS

GENERAL INFORMATION

There are several versions of the coding sheets used to record survey data but the Random Sample

Program produces a combination SAMPLE LIST and CODING SHEET. The top section of the sheet is for survey team names. The body of the form is used to list the characteristics being surveyed and whether or not they meet the Maintenance Rating Program Standards. When entering information on the field coding sheets, place a dash line in those columns under characteristics that are not present in the section being surveyed. Pencil entries are recommended so that a rating may be changed if it does not meet desired nighttime conditions. Block type numbers and letters should be used for coding rather than those of a cursive, fancy or rounded type. Keep the sheet clean, neat and clear of stray marks and figures in any coding fields since this data may be entered into the computer by those not familiar with the survey or the coding sheets.

CODING INSTRUCTIONS (PRECODED FORM)

SURVEY TEAM - These spaces are for the team member’s names conducting the survey. This information is not entered into the computer, but must be on the coding sheet since these sheets should be considered as "source" documents that could be used for auditing purposes.

DATE OF SURVEY - (card columns 1 thru 8) - This field is used to record the date the actual daytime survey was accomplished for a sample.

COST CENTER NO. - (card columns 9 thru 11) - This number is a FDOT cost center number and should be the maintenance area number in which the survey is being taken. This number is precoded.

FACILITY TYPE - (card column 12) - This column is precoded and is the facility type (1 through

4) of the sample being surveyed. Facility type number assignments are as follows: 1 for RURAL

LIMITED ACCESS, 2 for RURAL ARTERIAL, 3 for URBAN LIMITED ACCESS and 4 for

URBAN ARTERIAL. A brief explanation of each FACILITY TYPE is listed:

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RURAL LIMITED ACCESS - Interstate, toll and other limited access roadways that have adjacent property unimproved, agricultural, low-density population, industrial and light commercial development.

RURAL ARTERIAL - All other rural roadways not covered above that have adjacent property unimproved, agricultural, low density population, industrial and light commercial development.

URBAN LIMITED ACCESS - Interstate, toll and other limited access roadways that have adjacent property of high-density population, industrial and heavy commercial development.

URBAN ARTERIAL - All other urban roadways not covered above that have adjacent property of high-density population, industrial and heavy commercial development.

The above definitions are used to classify the type of maintenance for all roadways currently maintained by the FDOT.

COUNTY SECTION NO. - (card columns 14 thru 18) - This field is precoded and is the county and section number as assigned by the FDOT's Office of Planning. It is the same as used on straight-line diagrams and other official FDOT identifications of roadways.

STATE ROAD NO. - (card columns 20 thru 24) - This number indicates the state road number of the section on which the sample is to be surveyed. U.S. Highway number designations are not listed. This number is precoded beginning at the left and leaves unused columns blank.

MILE POST STATION - (card columns 26 thru 28) - This number is precoded on the Random

Sample Selection List. A sample is 1/10 mile or 528 feet in length. The milepost location is the mid-point of the sample. The survey should be conducted in opposite directions along the roadway(s) for 264 feet from the designated center point and includes all area within the FDOT's right of way or authorized boundaries.

SUB-SECTION NUMBER - This number, if greater than 000, is shown as three digits in the right margin of the Random Sample Selection List. This number is not to be coded. It is provided for proper location of those roadways that have been assigned a unique identification.

RECENTLY COMPLETED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: - The system will automatically identify all random sample selections that fall inside the limits of any construction project completed within the last year to date. The Maintenance Rating Program Team will evaluate the sample for all characteristics.

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ELEMENTS/CHARACTERISTICS - The remaining portion of the form lists each element and its associated characteristics. Each characteristic should be coded: Y=YES-meets desired conditions, N=NO-does not meet desired conditions or use a dash line when the characteristic is not present in the sample.

The MRP team shall be responsible for locating and marking the sample midpoint and limits. The sample points must be marked and surveyed by the MRP team based on existing conditions at the time they are being marked. Each sample shall be marked in a manner (e.g., paints, reflective tapes) so it can be located at night or by verification teams, auditors or others that may be required to evaluate the samples. The beginning and end of the sample shall be marked on the outside lane of multi-lane roadways. The marking should remain in place for the scheduled sample period.

The vehicle assigned is required to have Distance Measuring Equipment installed to assure accurate location of the selected center point. The team shall use a current straight-line diagram to determine the SLD milepost of the nearest roadway feature (bridge, intersection, side road) and use this known location as a reference to locate the selected point. ACTUAL FIELD

CONDITIONS WILL OVERRIDE OBVIOUS SLD ERRORS. Most DMI's will measure stations or miles ascending or descending and will allow programming of a desired station or milepost. If the DMI becomes inoperative or unavailable due to vehicle maintenance, then the replacement vehicle must be equipped with DMI as well.

The Random Sample Program (Mainframe) should automatically exclude bridges. If any portion of a sample falls on a bridge, the team should select the end (abutment) of the bridge nearest the sample milepost and begin the evaluation from that end of the bridge. Should a sample mid-point fall on a bridge, the team should select an alternate point, of the same facility type, provided on the Survey Sample List and notify the Office of Maintenance of this situation. Notification should include County-Section and subsection and mile point of the sample. Many multi-lane or median divided facilities are constructed with individual travel way bridges. When a portion of a sample falls on a facility of this type it will be necessary to consider all bridges for the proper begin or end bridge point (use abutment) since some structure locations may be staggered or one may be longer than the other.

PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION - The Random Sample Program currently does not eliminate projects let to bid or under construction. Roads under construction that affect two or more characteristics throughout the sample should not be surveyed. The survey team should evaluate one of the available alternate samples of the same facility type.

Samples that have a characteristic under construction (e.g., guardrail, minor shoulder repair, turnout/turn storage installation, intersection upgrade, utility work*) may be surveyed but omit the portion(s) of the characteristic(s) that is/are affected by the construction. Samples may be evaluated up to 528 ft. before construction or from 528 ft. after actual construction

*(Utility cuts to install buried pipeline, cables and so forth.)

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Note:

Listed below are seven characteristics that should be evaluated for all samples.

ROADWAY (BOTH TYPES)

1. Pothole

2. Depression

TRAFFIC SERVICES

3. Raised Pavement Markers

4. Striping

VEGETATION/AESTHETIC

5. Tree Trimming

6. Litter Removal

7. Turf Conditions

Further, there are characteristics that should be evaluated only for a particular pavement type:

ROADWAY (RIGID)

1. Joint/Cracking

ROADWAY (FLEXIBLE)

2. Edge Raveling (Not with curb & gutter, or paved shoulders)

3. Shoving

As a check, the total of any RIGID ROADWAY characteristic PLUS the total of any FLEXIBLE

ROADWAY characteristic should be equal to or greater than the total number of points surveyed. To further assure that the mandatory data is coded, a review of coding forms prior to entering the data into the computer should be made.

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ROADWAY

THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS MEET THE DESIRED MAINTENANCE

CONDITIONS WHEN:

FLEXIBLE POTHOLE: No defect is greater than 1/2 square foot in area and no single measurement

1-1/2 inches or greater in depth.

No pervious base is exposed in any hole.

FLEXIBLE EDGE

RAVELING: 90% of the total roadway edge is free of raveling. No continuous section of edge raveling 4 inches or wider exceeds 25 feet in length.

FLEXIBLE SHOVING: The shoved area does not exceed a cumulative 25 square feet.

FLEXIBLE

DEPRESSION/BUMP: No deviation exceeds 1/2 inch for any area greater than 1 square foot. No single measurement shall exceed 2 inches.

FLEXIBLE PAVED

SHOULDER/TURNOUT: Rate flexible paved shoulder for pothole, edge raveling and depression/bump. Rate flexible turnout for pothole only.

RIGID POTHOLE: No defect is greater than 1/2 square foot in area and no single measurement

RIGID DEPRESSION/

BUMP: No deviation exceeds 1/2 inch for any area greater than 1 square foot. No single measurement shall exceed 2 inches.

RIGID JOINT/

CRACKING: 85% of the length of transverse and longitudinal joint material appears to function as intended or 90% of the roadway slabs have no unsealed cracks wider than 1/8 inch.

RIGID PAVED

SHOULDER/TURNOUT: Rate rigid paved shoulder for pothole, depression/bump and joint/cracking.

Rigid turnout rated for potholes and cracking only.

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NOTES:

1) All pavement characteristics are to be rated as last constructed. (Rigid pavement overlaid with asphalt should be rated under the flexible pavement characteristic).

2) When a railroad crossing falls within the sample point, the following shall apply: The area to rate shall be 3 feet outside the rails of a railroad crossing. Do not rate any area between the rails.

3) In non-curb and gutter sections, all paved areas adjacent to the travel way are evaluated as paved shoulders. For MRP purposes do not rate tapers on paved shoulders. Within curb and gutter sections, all pavement is evaluated as roadway pavement. This includes bus turnouts. Edge widening less than 2 feet in width from the travel lane edge does not meet desired conditions for paved shoulders unless specified in the Department’s Straight-line Diagrams.

The paved area to the right in this photo is a bus turnout. The pavement in a bus turnout should be evaluated as roadway pavement.

This edge widening is less than 2 feet wide therefore, does not meet MRP standards for paved shoulders (unless specified in the

Straight-line Diagrams).

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Asphalt bus turnout on rural roadway. This should be rated as roadway pavement, also rate for edge raveling. (Note: Rate only the edge of pavement parallel to the travel lanes for raveling)

Rate bike path within the curb & gutter as roadway pavement.

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FLEXIBLE ROADWAY

FLEXIBLE POTHOLE: No defect is greater than 1/2 square foot in area and no single measurement

Flexible Pothole – Potholes are normally bowl-shaped holes in the pavement that usually form in low areas, such as wheel paths and utility trenches. They are caused by pavement weaknesses, which may result from poor quality materials, thin pavement surface, poor drainage on the pavement surface or within the base, or a loss of load support by either the base or sub grade.

Evaluation: Measure the size of the pothole. To measure the size of a pothole, place a straightedge across the defective area and determine if the defective area is deeper than that listed in the standard. To determine the area of a defect, measure the area as a square or rectangle. Use of a straightedge and a marker to outline the area may be helpful. In a non-curb and gutter section, do not rate the first 4 inches from the actual edge of pavement for pothole criteria (see edge raveling).

Flexible pothole does not meet MRP standards when any of the following exist:

1) If BOTH depth and area are greater than the standard limits.

2) If pervious base is exposed in any hole.

Measure the area and the depth of the pothole.

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FLEXIBLE EDGE

RAVELING: 90% of the total roadway edge is free of raveling.

No continuous section of edge raveling 4 inches or wider exceeds 25 feet in length.

Flexible Edge Raveling – Edge raveling is the progressive separation of aggregate particles in a pavement from the surface downward or from the edges inward.

Evaluation: Determine if edge raveling exists within the sample by reviewing the edge of pavement. If the pavement edge is missing or separated 4 inches or more from the edge of pavement for 25 feet or more, then edge raveling will not meet conditions. Measure the length of the edge raveling that is 4 inches or wider.

Two lane roadway samples with no paved shoulders can have a maximum pavement edge of 1,056 feet

(528 ft. length X 2 roadway edges). A divided roadway with no paved shoulders can have a maximum pavement edge of 2,112 feet (528 ft. length X 4 roadway edges). Measurements are made from the actual edge of pavement. At least 90% of the total roadway edge should be free of raveling or this characteristic does not meet the desired maintenance conditions.

Roadway edge raveling should not be evaluated when paved shoulders, any type of curb, curb and gutter, or any permanent construction is installed that will protect the pavement edge.

Flexible edge raveling does not meet MRP standards when any of the following exist:

1) The roadway contains edge raveling at least 4 inches wide and 25 continuous feet in length.

2) More than 10% of the total roadway edge has edge raveling.

ROADWAY EDGE RAVELING TABLE

No of Pavement Edges Total Length

(ft)

90%

(ft)

10%

(ft)

1 528 475 53

2 1056 950 106

3 1584 1426 158

4 2112 1901 211

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A roadway without paved shoulders would be rated for edge ravel.

Rate edge raveling at crossovers where pavement without paved shoulders ties into paved shoulders.

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FLEXIBLE SHOVING: The shoved area does not exceed a cumulative 25 square feet.

Flexible Shoving - Flexible shoving is the lateral or longitudinal movement of flexible roadway surface most often caused by the acceleration or deceleration of vehicular traffic. Severe movement will result in cracking or breaking of the riding surface exposing the underlying roadway course or the base material.

Evaluation: Measure the length and width of the shoved area. If more than 25 square feet of roadway, in a sample, is displaced by pushing or shoving, then this characteristic does not meet the desired maintenance condition. Base failure and rutting are not to be considered as shoving but can cause shoving.

Flexible Shoving does not meet MRP standards when any of the following exist:

1) More than 25 cumulative square feet of roadway, in a sample, is displaced by pushing or shoving.

These are pictures of shoving. Measure the length and width to determine the shoving area. If the shoving area is more than 25 cumulative square feet, then this would not meet conditions for shoving.

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FLEXIBLE

DEPRESSION/BUMP: No deviation exceeds more than 1/2 inch for any area greater than 1 square foot.

No single measurement shall exceed 2 inches.

Flexible Depression/Bump - A pavement depression or bump is a deviation from design grade. It may be an area close to or caused by an inlet, manhole or underground utility installation.

Evaluation: To determine if there is a depression or bump within the sample area, survey the roadway pavement. Many depressions or bumps are located near inlets, manholes or underground utility installations. Vehicles traversing the sample can give an indication if a depression or bump is present.

Include parking lanes and bus turnouts in the evaluation.

If there is an indication of a depression or bump within the sample area, measure the area. If the area is greater than the standard, then measure the height or depth of the depression or bump. If the height or depth and area are greater than the standard, then this characteristic does not meet desired maintenance conditions.

Flexible depression/bump does not meet MRP standards when any of the following exist:

1) A deviation from design grade greater than 1/2 inch for any area greater than 1 square foot.

2) Concrete and/or asphalt spills which exceed 1/2 inch and 1 square foot.

3) Any single measurement of a depression or bump exceeding 2 inches.

Concrete spill, rate as a bump. Depression at a water valve in pavement.

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Depression next to a curb inlet. Measuring the depth of a depression.

Measuring the depth of a depression. Measuring the depth of a depression.

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FLEXIBLE PAVED SHOULDER/TURNOUT

• Many roadways have combinations of paved and unpaved shoulder widths. The measurements for evaluation of the PAVED SHOULDER characteristic are different than those for a roadway.

The methods for measuring or evaluating will be the same as for a roadway.

• Paved shoulder evaluation includes edge widening. Edge widening less than 2 feet in width from the travel lane edge does not meet desired conditions for paved shoulders unless noted on the

Department’s Straight-line Diagrams.

FLEXIBLE PAVED

SHOULDER/TURNOUT: Rate flexible paved shoulder for pothole, edge raveling and depression/bump.

Rate flexible turnout for pothole only.

FLEXIBLE PAVED SHOULDER:

Pothole No defect is greater than 1/2 square foot in area and no single measurement 1-1/2 inches or greater in depth.

Flexible pothole does not meet MRP standards when any of the following exist:

1) If BOTH depth and area are in the standard limits or greater.

2) If pervious base is exposed in any pothole.

NOTE: For MRP purpose, evaluate all asphalt from adjacent to the paved shoulder to the face of guardrail (when present) as part of the paved shoulder.

Pothole in paved shoulder.

Measurements should be taken to determine if this meets MRP Standards.

For MRP purpose, evaluate asphalt from edge of travel lane to face of guardrail as paved shoulder.

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Edge

Raveling 75% of the total shoulder edge is free of raveling.

No continuous section of edge raveling 4 inches or wider exceeds 50 feet in length.

Edge raveling does not meet MRP standards when any of the following exist:

1) If more than 25% of the shoulder edge contains edge raveling.

2) If there are more than 50 continuous feet of edge raveling 4 inches or wider.

PAVED SHOULDER EDGE RAVELING TABLE

No. of Pavement Edges Total Length

(ft.)

75%

(ft.)

25%

(ft.)

1 528 396 132

2 1056 792 264

3 1584 1188 396

4 2112 1584 528

Edge raveling on paved shoulder.

Measurements should be taken to determine if this meets MRP Standards.

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Depression/Bump No deviation exceeds 1 inch for any area greater than 1 square foot.

No single measurement shall exceed 3 inches.

Depression/Bump does not meet MRP standards when any of the following exist:

1) A deviation from design grade greater than 1 inch for any area greater than 1 square foot.

2) Concrete and/or asphalt spills which exceed 1 inch and 1 square foot.

3) Any single measurement of a depression or bump exceeding 3 inches.

NOTE: The encroachment of soil build-up on paved shoulders should be rated under the

“UNPAVED SHOULDER characteristic”.

Measure deviations on paved shoulders to determine if they meet MRP standards.

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FLEXIBLE TURNOUT:

Pothole No defect is greater than 1/2 square foot in area and no single measurement 1-1/2 inches or greater in depth.

Flexible Turnout – Paved aprons in highway section turnouts (no curb and gutter) should extend out 5 feet from the edge of the pavement or to the limits of paved shoulders. Turnouts in paved shoulder sections should be rated as paved shoulders. If there is no requirement for a paved apron as specified in the

Standard Plans, rural turnout construction (less than 20 trips/day), rate as non-paved shoulder. The area outside the apron on an unpaved turnout should be rated as shoulder and front slope, if present.

Paved aprons in curb and gutter section turnouts may be of rigid or flexible construction. Evaluation of urban flared turnouts shall include the area from the back of curb to the front end of the sidewalk as turnout.

DO NOT evaluate dedicated streets and roads (normally should have a street sign) for paved aprons.

Unpaved turnouts in curb and gutter sections shall be rated as curb and sidewalk edging.

Flexible turnout does not meet MRP standards when any of the following exist:

2) Any exposed pervious base.

This is an example of a turnout in a paved shoulder section.

This should be rated as paved shoulder only.

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RIGID ROADWAY

NOTE: The methodology used for evaluating potholes and depression/bump will be the same for both flexible and rigid pavements.

This picture of rigid pavement with an asphalt utility/expansion joint/patch. This area should be rated for rigid and flexible pavement. Pavement characteristics should be rated as last constructed.

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RIGID POTHOLE: No defect is greater than 1/2 square foot in area and no single measurement

Rigid Pothole – Potholes are normally bowl-shaped holes in the pavement that usually form in low areas, such as wheel paths and utility trenches. They are caused by pavement weaknesses, which may result from poor quality materials, thin pavement surface, poor drainage on the pavement surface or within the base, or a loss of load support by either the base or sub grade.

Evaluation: Measure the size of the pothole. Place a straightedge across the defective area and determine if any single measurement of the defective area is 1½ inches or deeper. To determine the area of a defect, measure the area as a square or rectangle. Use of a straightedge and a marker to outline the area may be helpful.

Rigid pothole does not meet MRP standards when any of the following exist:

1) If BOTH depth and area are greater than the standard limits

These are pictures of defects in rigid pavement. Calculate the area to determine if it is greater than 1/2 square foot and measure the depth of the defect. If BOTH depth and area are greater than the standard limits the areas do not meet MRP standards.

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RIGID DEPRESSION/

BUMP: No deviation exceeds 1/2 inch for any area greater than 1 square foot.

No single measurement shall exceed 2 inches.

Rigid Depression/Bump – A pavement depression or bump is a deviation from design grade. It may be an area close to or caused by an inlet, manhole or underground utility installation. This characteristic also includes parking lanes.

Evaluation: To measure the size of a depression or bump, first measure the area. If the area of the depressed or elevated area is less than 1 square foot, then no further measurements are necessary because it is not rated as a depression /bump unless a single measurement exceeds 2 inches. If the area is greater than 1 square foot, then measure the depression by putting a straightedge across the depression and measuring the distances from the straightedge to the lowest area in the depression. If this distance exceeds

1/2 inch, then the area does not meet desired maintenance conditions.

A Rigid Depression/Bump does not meet MRP standards when any of the following exist:

1) A depression more than 1/2 inch exists with an area greater than 1 square foot.

2) A bump 1/2 inch or greater exists with an area greater than 1 square foot.

3) Any depression or bump greater than 2 inches.

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RIGID JOINT/ CRACKING:

RIGID JOINT: 85% of the length of transverse and longitudinal joint material appears to function as intended.

Rigid Joints - Joints are placed in rigid pavement to control cracking and to allow for year-round contraction and expansion. Joints should be sealed to restrict the intrusion of water and incompressible into the joint. Sealed joints extend the life of the rigid pavement.

Evaluation: To determine if this characteristic meets MRP standards, you must first calculate the total length of transverse and longitudinal joints in the sample. This can be accomplished by computation or actual measurement.

Transverse joints are generally about 20 feet apart but an on-site verification should be done. Count the number of transverse joints and multiply by the width of the road. Count the number of longitudinal joints and multiply by the length of the joints. To obtain the total length of joint material, add the length of transverse and longitudinal joints together. Generally, it is easier to multiply the total joint length to be evaluated by 0.15 (15%) to determine what length is allowed below the desired maintenance condition and then measure those joints that do not function as intended. A cumulative length greater than 15% of the total does not meet the desired maintenance condition.

On multi-lane divided sections, with paved shoulders, BOTH the paved median shoulder and paved outside shoulder joints are to be evaluated. DO NOT rate the longitudinal joint between the rigid pavement and asphalt shoulder if it was never sealed.

Rigid Joints do not meet MRP standards when the following exist:

1) More than 15% of the total transverse and longitudinal joint length is missing.

Transverse joints

Longitudinal joint

This picture shows two traverse joints and a slab that has two unsealed cracks.

Do not rate the longitudinal joint between the rigid pavement and the asphalt shoulder if it was never sealed.

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RIGID CRACKING: 90% of the roadway slabs have no unsealed cracks wider than 1/8 inch.

Rigid Cracking – A slab is defined as that area within the existing control joints. Do not include the control joints in the evaluation.

Evaluation: Determine the total number of slabs within the evaluation area. Then determine the number of slabs that have unsealed cracks wider than 1/8 inch. Divide the number of slabs with unsealed cracks wider than 1/8 inch by the total number of slabs within the evaluation area to determine the percentage of slabs with unsealed cracks wider than 1/8 inch. If this percentage is more than 10%, then this characteristic does not meet desired conditions.

Rigid Cracking does not meet MRP standards when the following exist:

1) More than 10% of the slabs have unsealed cracks greater than 1/8 inch.

These pictures show an unsealed crack wider than 1/8 inch in rigid pavement.

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RIGID PAVED SHOULDER/TURNOUT

NOTE: Rate rigid shoulder for pothole, depression/bump and joint/cracking.

Rate rigid turnout for potholes and cracking only.

RIGID PAVED

SHOULDER: Rate rigid paved shoulder for pothole, depression/bump and joint/cracking.

Pothole: No defect is greater than 1/2 square foot in area, and no single measurement

Rigid Paved Shoulder does not meet MRP standards for Pothole when any of the following exist:

1) If pervious base is exposed in any hole.

2) If BOTH depth and area are greater than the standard limits.

Depression/Bump: No deviation exceeds 1 inch for any area greater than 1 square foot.

No single measurement shall exceed 3 inches.

Rigid Paved Shoulder does not meet MRP standards for Depression/Bump when any of the following exist:

1) A deviation from design grade greater than 1 inch for any area greater than 1 square foot.

2) A single measurement greater than 3 inches above or below the design grade.

Joint: 75% of the joints appear to function as intended by restricting the intrusion of water and incompressible.

Rigid Paved Shoulder does not meet MRP standards for Joints when any of the following exist:

1) More than 25% of the joints do not function as intended.

Cracking: 80% of the paved shoulder cumulative areas have no unsealed cracks wider than

3/4 inch.

Rigid Paved Shoulder does not meet MRP standards for Cracking when any of the following exist:

1) More than 20% of the slabs have unsealed cracks greater than 3/4 inch.

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RIGID TURNOUT: Rate rigid paved turnout for potholes and cracking only.

Pothole: No defect is greater than 1/2 square foot in area and no single measurement

Rigid Turnout does not meet MRP standards for Pothole when any of the following exist:

Cracking: 80% of rigid paved turnout cumulative area has no unsealed cracks wider than 3/4 inch.

Rigid Turnout does not meet MRP standards for Cracking when any of the following exist:

1) More than 20% of the cumulative turnout area has unsealed cracks wider than 3/4 inch.

These are urban flared turnouts. The area from the back of curb to the front of the sidewalk is to be rated as turnout.

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ROADSIDE

UNPAVED SHOULDER: No deviation exists across the shoulder width greater than 5 inches above or below the design template.

No shoulder build-up exceeds 2 inches anywhere across the design template for a continuous 25 feet.

No shoulder drop-off exceeds 3 inches deep within 1 foot of the pavement edge for a continuous 25 feet.

No encroachment 12 inches or greater of sand, soil, grasses, or debris on to the outside paved shoulder for 25 continuous feet.

No washboard areas exist having a total differential greater than 5 inches from the low spot to the high spot.

FRONT SLOPE: No deviations exist greater than 6 inches in depth or height.

SLOPE PAVEMENT: No single area of missing, settled or misaligned areas exist greater than 10 square feet.

SIDEWALK: 99.5% of sidewalk area is free of vertical misalignments greater than 1/ inch or horizontal cracks greater than 1/2 inch, and no visible hazards.

FENCE: No unrestrained entry is allowed.

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ROADSIDE

UNPAVED SHOULDER: No deviation exists across the shoulder width greater than 5 inches above or below the design template.

No shoulder build-up exceeds 2 inches across the design template for a continuous 25 feet.

No shoulder drop-off exceeds 3 inches deep within 1 foot of the pavement edge for a continuous 25 feet.

No encroachment 12 inches or greater of sand, soil, grasses, or debris on to the outside paved shoulder for 25 continuous feet.

No washboard areas exist having a total differential greater than 5 inches from the low spot to the high spot.

Unpaved Shoulder - Generally, shoulders are designed to drop at 3/4 inch per foot from the pavement edge except in super elevated curves.

Evaluation: To measure a shoulder drop-off, place a straightedge on the pavement and measure down.

If the straight-line diagrams (SLD’s) do not indicate an…