Mn/DOT Combined Smoothness Specification Operator Certification Training Workshop July 12, 2010

Combined Smoothness Spec. Whats Different? 1.Smoothness evaluation 2.Areas of localized roughness (ALR) 3.Profile Viewing and Analysis (ProVAL) software 4.Profile Summary worksheets 5.Operator certification

1. Smoothness Evaluation Both the right and left wheel paths must be profiled with a certified Inertial Profiler. After corrective work, an IRI value will be computed for each wheel path, for each 528- foot segment, and then averaged. This average IRI value will used to calculate the segment pay adjustment. IRI values will be determined with ProVALs Ride Quality: Fixed Interval. Exclusion: paving with posted speeds < 45 mph

2. Areas of Localized Roughness Will replace bumps/dips 25-foot continuous IRI that exceeds inches/mile Will be analyzed in the right wheel path only ALR and grinding locations will be determined by ProVALs Smoothness Assurance.

2. Areas of Localized Roughness ALR that exist after paving will require corrective work. ALR that remain after corrective work will be assessed a deduction of either $5.00 per linear foot or $10.00 per linear foot, depending on the magnitude of roughness. Exclusion: paving with posted speeds < 30 mph

Required Data by Posted Speed 1. Posted Speed 45 mph Smoothness (both wheel paths) ALR (right wheel path only) 10-foot straightedge mph Posted Speed < 45 mph ALR (right wheel path only) 10-foot straightedge 3. Posted Speed < 30 mph 10-foot straightedge

ALR > Bumps/Dips Areas of localized roughness are generated from IRI, an index that measures what passengers actually feel. Accurate identification of bumps/dips is hindered by the design of the California Profilograph. The California Profilograph ignores or minimizes some bumps/dips, while exaggerating or manufacturing others.

Design Limitations of Profilograph Because its front and rear wheels are in contact with the pavement surface, the profilograph cannot accurately measure the pavement profile.

Do These Bumps Really Exist? Actual Profile Profilograph Trace Phantom Bumps Dip

Sample Profile

Applying a 25-foot Moving Average 25-foot sliding window

Continuous IRI: 25-foot Intervals 54 in/mi 125 feet

Areas of Localized Roughness 125 in/mi Areas of Localized Roughness

3. ProVAL Developed by the Transtec Group for the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Long Term Pavement Performance Program (LTPP) Free to download at Contractor ERD values will be imported into ProVAL to calculate 528-foot IRI values, areas of localized roughness, and recommended grinding locations.

Getting Started

Add Files

Viewer

Analysis

Ride Quality

ALR

Ride Quality 528 IRI Values

Smoothness Assurance

Smoothness Assurance Grinding ALR

Smoothness Assurance Grinding

Exercise #1 Lets practice creating the first set of ProVAL reports that must be submitted to the Project Engineer: 1.Ride Statistics at Intervals (within 5 days of paving placement) 2.Smoothness Assurance Grinding (prior to corrective work) Open ProVAL and load Exercise1.erd.

Smoothness Assurance Histograms ALR

Smoothness Assurance Histograms

Enter this value into Profile Summarys 125 ALR < 150 box

Smoothness Assurance Histograms

Enter this value into Profile Summarys 150 ALR < 250 box

Exercise #2 Lets practice creating the final set of ProVAL reports that must be submitted to the Project Engineer: 1.Ride Statistics at Intervals (within 5 days of corrective work) 2.Smoothness Assurance ALR Histograms (within 5 days of corrective work) Open ProVAL and load Exercise2.erd.

Editor

Enter this value into Profile Summarys 150 ALR < 250 box

Editor

Exercise #3 Lets practice using ProVALs Editor to create two subsections: 1.1,000 feet to 3,000 feet 2.3,500 feet to 5,500 feet After creating the new sections, lets compare their respective IRI values. Open ProVAL and load Exercise3.erd.

4. Profile Summary Worksheets All green cells are to be filled in by contractor. 528-foot IRI values must be entered for each wheel path. The average IRI will be calculated automatically by the worksheet. ALR data should be entered only on the first Profile Summary for an ERD file.

New Profile Summary Worksheets

Profile Summary Worksheet ProVAL Ride Quality Fixed Interval ProVAL Smoothness Assurance Histograms ProVAL Ride Quality Fixed Interval

ALR Deduction Calculation -$ , Total Length x (125ALR<150)/100 x $5.00 Total Length x (150ALR<250)/100 x $

ALR Data Entry Instructions If this is the first Profile Summary for an ERD file, enter the percent of pavement with ALR and < (after corrective work) for the entire files Right Wheel Path. If this is NOT the first Profile Summary for an ERD file, enter 0. If this is the first Profile Summary for an ERD file, enter the length of pavement for the entire files Right Wheel Path. If this is NOT the first Profile Summary for an ERD file, enter 0.

Exercise #4 Lets practice filling out the Profile Summary worksheet that needs to be submitted to the Project Engineer within 5 days of the completion of corrective work. Open HMA_ABC_2010.xls. Open ProVAL and load Exercise4.ppf.

5. Operator Certification All contractors who operate an Inertial Profiler (IP) on a Mn/DOT project: must be trained in the operation of the IP and be knowledgeable in the use of ProVAL must pass a written certification examination should operate that particular IP during Mn/DOTs annual Inertial Profiler Certification Program

Exam Information For Question 13 on the exam, you will need to create and print a Corrective Work plan and a Final ProVAL report. In order to do so, you will need to open the following three ERD files: SampleProfile-Right.erd SampleProfile-Right-AfterGrinding.erd SampleProfile-Left-AfterGrinding.erd You also will use these files to complete a Profile Summary worksheet.