PAVEMENT S MOOTHNESS
Part 1 — General
1.1 Section Includes
A.Longitudinal profile c ollection
B.Determination of International Roughness Index (IRI) using the Profile Viewer and Analysis (ProVAL) software and Incentives/Disincentives for smoothness .
1.2 Related Sections
A.Section 0274 5: Asphalt Material
B.Section 02981: Grinding Pavement
C.Section 02982: Bridge Concrete Grinding
1.3 References
A.UDOT Materials Manual of Instruction
1.4 Definitions
A.Category 1 Pavements
1.Newly constructed pavement surfaces having two or more opportunities for improving ride in areas with no curb and gutter
2.Newly constructed pavement surfaces having two or more opportunities for improving ride in areas with curb and gutter placed as part of the contract.
B.Category 2 Pavements
1.Newly constructed pavement surfaces with one opportunity for improving ride.
2.Newly constructed pavement surfaces with two or more opportunities for improving ride in areas with existing curb and gutter.
C.Localized Roughness
1.Profile deviations in a continuous 25 ft of pavement
D.Mean Roughness Index (MRI)
1.Average of two wheel path IRI ’s
E.Opportunity to Improve Ride
1.Placing Granular Borrow
2.Placing Untreated Base Course
3.Treated Base Course
4.Full Depth Reclamation (FDR)
5.Cold-In-Place Recycling
6.Hot-In-Place Recycling
7.Placing each lift of Asphalt Mix
8.Placing Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA)
9.Placing Open -Graded Surface Course (OGSC)
10.Placing Bonded Wearing Course (BWC)
11.Placing Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP)
12.Profile Rotomilling
13.Automated Machine Guidance Milling
14.Road Smoothing
15.Lane leveling is not considered an opportunity to improve ride.
F.Pavement Section
1.A section is 528 ft long and measured along each of the following where not otherwise designated as a structure section.
a.Each lane
b.Ramps
c.Two way left turn lanes 8 ft and wider
d.Turn lanes
2.Each pavement section is laid out consecutively from the start of the project.
G.Percent Improvement – the calculated percent improvement in MRI using the following formula: [MRI o – MRI f] x 100 MRI o Where: MRI o = MRI of original roadway surface MRI f = MRI of final corrected roadway surface
H.Structure Section
1.A section is 528 ft long and measured along each of the following where the structure, with or without overlay, is the riding surface.
a.Each Lane
b.Ramps
c.Two Way left turn lanes 8 ft and wider
d.Turn Lanes
2.Each Structure Section is laid out consecutively from the 12.5 ft before the structure, including approach slab, to 12.5 ft after the structure, including the approach slab.
I.Wheel Path 1. A longitudinal strip of pavement 39 inch wide and centered 35 inch from the centerline of the lane in the direction of travel.
1.5 Submittals
A.Certifications for profilers and operators for information.
B.ProVAL files for all profiles collected prior to beginning work for Category 2 Pavement Sections, profiles collect ed prior to placing micro- surfacing and profiles collect ed for acceptance for information.
1.Submit initial profiles for Category 2 pavements prior to pavement related work
2.Identify reference post or project stationing for the beginning of the profile collection.
3.Flag utility locations in acceptance profiles .
4.Flag beginning and end of grinding locations in acceptance profiles.
C.Summary report of acceptance IRI and MRI calculations for information. Include at least the following:
1.Pavement Section identification
2.Structure Section identification
3.MRI results by section
4.Localized Roughness results
5.Localized Roughness deviation explanations
D.Structure profile correction plan for approval including at least the following, when applicable:
1.Map of reinforcing steel depths according to Section 02982.
2.Map of locations and depths of concrete grinding.
a.Indicate anticipated final reinforcing steel cover in grinding areas.
3.Equipment information according to Section 02982.
1.6 Acceptance
A.Contractor collect ed longitudinal profiles will be used for acceptance unless invalidated by the Department verification process. Refer to UDOT Materials Manual of Instruction 995.
B.Limit transverse pavement deviations to less than 3/16 inch from the lower edge of a 10- ft straightedge.
C.Limit Localized Roughness greater than 15 ft in length according to Table 1 .
1.The Department will c alculate localized roughness using the most recent version of ProVAL with the following parameters:
a.Analysis Type: Continuous
b.Ride Quality Index: IRI
c.Segment Length (ft): 25
d.250 mm filter applied
2.Measure localized roughness for the following locations regardless of length:
a.All traffic lanes
b.Ramps
c.Two way left turn lanes 8 ft and wider
d.Turn lanes
e.Shoulders wider than 4 ft
f.Bike lanes
g.Structures and approach slabs with the final riding surfaces placed as part of the contract
3.Localized Roughness requirements do not apply to micro- surfacing.
4.Include profile deviations from bridge decks, approach slabs and transitions, manholes, valves, and other facilities in the profile when the contract requires the adjustment, new construction or reconstruction of these facilities.
5.Exclude profile deviations from bridge decks, approach slabs and transitions, manholes, valves, and other facilities in the profile when the contract does not include adjustment, new construction or reconstruction of these facilities.
6.The Engineer may waive areas of Localized Roughness for Category 2 Pavement Sections due to existing conditions.
a.Provide an explanation for each location where existing conditions prevent the requirements from being met.
b.Do not remove these areas from the profile for incentive/disincentive calculations. Table 1 Localized Roughness Limits (inch/mile) Interstate including ramps ≤ 190 Bridge decks, approach slabs & transitions, manholes and valves ≤ 250 Non-interstate ≤ 190 Urban roadways with speed limits less than 45 mph ≤ 190 Shoulders and Bike Lanes ≤ 250 (single profile)
D.The Department applies Incentive/Disincentive for Category 1 Pavement Sections, Category 2 Pavement Sections, micro-surfacing Pavement Sections, Grinding Pavement Pavement Sections and Structure Sections based on the MRI of the final surface .
1.The Department will calculate MRI using the most recent version of ProVAL with the following parameters:
a.Analysis Type: Fixed Interval
b.Ride Quality Index: MRI
c.Segment Length (ft): 528
d.250 mm filter applied
2.The Department does not apply Incentives/Disincentives to:
a.Traffic lanes and turn lanes shorter than 528 ft
b.Shoulders
c.Bike Lanes
d.Two way left turn lanes narrower than 8 ft
e.Horizontal curves with a centerline curvature radius less than 900 ft and areas within the super elevation transitions to these short radius curves
f.Horizontal tapers
g.Surfaces within 12.5 ft of bridge decks and approach slabs not constructed as part of the contract
3.The Department will apply Incentives/Disincentives to S tructure Sections regardless of length.
4.The Department will determine Incentives/ Disincentives before placement of a chip seal or micro- surfacing.
a.The Department will appl y separate Incentives/D isincentive after placement of micro- surfacing.
5.The Department will prorate Incentives/Disincentives for partial Pavement Sections and partial Structure Sections.
6.Category 1 P avement Sections and Structures Sections with localized roughness requiring corrective action at the time of acceptance testing are not eligible for incentives.
7.Category 2 Pavement S ections with localized roughness , not waived by the Engineer , requiring correction action at the time of acceptance testing are not eligible for incentives.
8.The Department applies Incentive/Disincentive for Category 1 Pavement Sections according to T able 2 .
a.The Engineer may accept a Pavement Section requiring corrective action at a $1000 disincentive per Pavement Section. Table 2 Incentives and Disincentives for Category 1 Pavements MRI Range (inch /mile by pavement section) Dollars/Pavement Section Asphalt Material Portland Cement Concrete ≤ 40.0 $500 $1000
40.1 - 50.0 $250 $500
50.1 – 60.0 $125 $250
60.1 – 70.0 0 0
70.1 – 80.0 -$125 -$250
80.1 – 90.0 -$250 -$500
>90.0 Corrective Action
9.The Department applies Incentives/Disincentives for Category 2 Pavement Sections based on the pavement’s Initial Overall MRI according to Tables 3 thru 7 and the following.
a.The Department will use the weighted average of all travel lanes, based on length, of the overall MRI of the original roadway surface using the following formula to determine the Initial Overall MRI. 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼=𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 1(𝐿𝐿𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 1)+𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 2(𝐿𝐿𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 2)+⋯ +𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 𝐼𝐼(𝐿𝐿𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 𝐼𝐼) 𝐿𝐿𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂1+𝐿𝐿𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 2+⋯+𝐿𝐿𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼𝑂𝑂 𝐼𝐼 Where: MRI = Overall MRI of original roadway surface L = Total length of lane 1) All ramps, medians, turns lanes, shoulders and bike lanes will be excluded from the Initial Overall MRI calculation. 2) A separate Initial Overall MRI will be calculated and used for each route.
b.The Department will use Table 5 for all ramps and turn lanes less than 1000 ft.
c.Sections with a n MRI f ≤ 90 do not require corrective action.
d.Disincentive does not apply to sections with an MRI f ≤ to 70. Table 3 Incentives/Disincentives for Category 2 Pavements with Initial Overall MRI ≥175 % Improvement per Pavement Section Incentive/Disincentive Dollars/Pavement Section ≥ 60 $750
50.0 to 59.9 $500
40.0 to 49.9 $250
30.0 to 39.9 $0
20.0 to 29.9 -$250
< 20.0 Corrective Action Table 4 Incentives/Disincentives for Category 2 Pavements with Initial Overall MRI 100 to 174.9 % Improvement per Pavement Section Incentive/Disincentive Dollars/Pavement Section ≥ 50.0 $750
40.0 to 4 9.9 $500
30.0 to 3 9.9 $250
20.0 to 2 9.9 $0
10.0 to 1 9.9 -$250
< 10.0 Corrective Action Table 5 Incentives/Disincentives for Category 2 Pavements with Initial Overall MRI 90 to 99.9, Ramps and Turn lanes less than 1000 ft % Improvement per Pavement Section Incentive/Disincentive Dollars/Pavement Section ≥ 40.0 $750
30.0 to 3 9.9 $500
20.0 to 2 9.9 $250
10.0 to 1 9.9 $0
0.0 to 9.9 -$250
< 0.0 Corrective Action Table 6 Incentives/Disincentives for Category 2 Pavements with Initial Overall MRI 80 to 89.9 % Improvement per Pavement Section Incentive/Disincentive Dollars/Pavement Section ≥ 35.0 $750
25.0 to 34 .9 $500
15.0 to 24 .9 $250
5.0 to 14 .9 $0
-5.0 to 4 .9 -$250 < -5.0 Corrective Action Table 7 Incentives/Disincentives for Category 2 Pavements with Initial Overall MRI < 80 % Improvement per Pavement Section Incentive/Disincentive Dollars/Pavement Section ≥ 30.0 $750
15.0 to 2 9.9 $500
0.0 to 14 .9 $0
-15.0 to -0.1 -$250 < -15.0 Corrective Action
10.The Department applies Incentive/Disincentive for micro -surfacing according to T able 8. Table 8 Incentives/Disincentives for Micro -surfacing Percent Improvement per Pavement Section Incentive/Disincentive per Pavement Section ≥ 0 $250 -0.1 to -10 0 < -10 -$250
11.The Department applies Incentives/Disincentives for grinding pavement according to T able 9.
a.Sections with a n MRI f ≤ 90 do not require corrective action. Table 9 Incentives/Disincentives for Grinding Pavement Percent Improvement per Pavement Section Incentive/Disincentive per Pavement Section ≥ 40 0 < 40 Corrective Action
12.The Department applies Incentive/Disincentive for Structure Sections according to T able 10.
a.The Engineer may accept a Structure Section requiring corrective action at a $ 1000 disincentive per Structure Section. Table 10 Incentives and Disincentives for Structure Sections MRI Range (inches/mile by structure section) Dollars/Structure Section ≤ 60.0 $1000
60.1 - 70.0 $500
70.1 – 80.0 $250
80.1 – 90.0 0
90.1 – 110.0 -$250
110.1 – 130.0 -$500
>130.0 Corrective Action
13.The Department will apply an additional $1000 disincentive per Pavement Section to:
a.Pavement Sections with HMA and SMA final surfaces where grinding exceeds 30 square yard.
b.Pavement Sections with grinding on the final surface of OGSC, and BWC.
c.The additional disincentive does not apply to the first and last 25 ft of the project.
1.7 Operator Qualifications
A.Use a certified operator according to UDOT Material s Manual of Instruction 995.
Part 2 — Products
2.1 Flush Coat
A.CQS -1h or CSS -1h emulsified asphalt. Refer to Section 02745.
1.Select emulsion that will fully cure within the time frame required to have the road open to traffic.
2.2 Profiling Equipment
A.Use c ertified equipment according to UDOT Materials Manual of Instruction 995.
1.Use only the prescribed filter settings from the certification for all measurements in this Section.
2.Collect profiles with GPS location enabled.
Part 3 — Execution
3.1 General Requirements
A.Notify the Engineer at least two working days before performing acceptance testing for pavement smoothness.
B.Perform work necessary to prepare the pavement for testing, including
1.Sweeping and cleaning debris.
2.Remov ing or relocat ing barricades and utility plates so profiler can maintain constant speed and alignment.
C.Collect longitudinal profiles in each wheel path and in the center of each paved shoulder and bike lane.
1.Do not collect longitudinal profiles if water is on the roadway.
D.Clearly mark on the roadway begin and end locations as well as any excluded areas.
1.Markings must be identifiable for 10 days after acceptance testing or until verification testing has been completed.
3.2 Mri of Original Roadway Surface
A.Profile existing roadway surface before beginning construction to determine MRI o for Category 2 pavement Sections .
B.Profile existing roadw ay surface before placement of M icro-surfacing to determine MRI o.
C.Profile existing roadway surface before beginning grinding pavement operations to determine MRI o.
3.3 Profile Correction
A.Perform preliminary profiling and roadway smoothness evaluation to identify any defects exceeding acceptance limits.
B.Correct defects before performing acceptance testing.
1.For Category 1 Pavements , measure and correct L ocalized Roughness defects in the underlying surface before placement of the final surface.
2.Correct defects across lanes, medians, and shoulders in widths terminating at a lane line, edge of pavement, or center of the lane either by grinding or by surface replacement . Refer to Sections 02981 and 02982 .
a.Include areas not eligible for I ncent ive/Disincentive.
b.Grinding on structures requires an approved structure profile correction plan.
3.Taper corrected areas for smooth transverse transitions and surface drainage.
C.Seal corrected areas in the final surface with a flush coat application.
1.Apply the flush coat at an undiluted rate of 0.11 ± 0.01 gal/yd
2.Allow flush coat to cure for 24 hour s prior to any profiling.
3.4 Acceptance Profiling
A.Collect acceptance profiles after all corrective work has been performed.
1.For Category 1 Pavements , acceptance profiles can be collect ed before raising manholes and valves and grooving in pavement messages.
2.For Category 1 Pavement s and Category 2 P avement s, collect acceptance profiles prior to placing chip seal or micro- surfacing.
3.For Structure Sections collect acceptance profiles prior to placement of thin -bonded overlays.
3.5 Pavement Thickness
A.Re-test pavements for thickness after grinding as determined by the Engineer.
Source: Utah Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 415–425 of 1,331.