Mn/DOT Combined Smoothness Specification

Operator CertificationTraining Workshop

July 12, 2010

Combined Smoothness Spec.

What’s 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 ProVAL’s “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 125.0 inches/mile

• Will be analyzed in the right wheel path only

• ALR and grinding locations will be determined by ProVAL’s “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

2. 30 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

Dip

Sample Profile

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225

Distance (feet)

IRI

(in

/mi)

Applying a 25-foot Moving Average

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225

Distance (feet)

IRI

(in

/mi)

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 www.roadprofile.com

• 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

Add Files

Viewer

Analysis

Ride Quality

Ride Quality

ALR

Ride Quality

528’ IRI Values

Smoothness Assurance

Smoothness Assurance Grinding

ALR

Smoothness Assurance Grinding

Smoothness Assurance Grinding

Smoothness Assurance Grinding

Smoothness Assurance Grinding

Smoothness Assurance Grinding

Exercise #1

Let’s 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

Smoothness Assurance Histograms

Enter this value into Profile Summary’s

125 ≤ ALR < 150 box

Smoothness Assurance Histograms

Smoothness Assurance Histograms

Enter this value into Profile Summary’s

150 ≤ ALR < 250 box

Exercise #2

Let’s 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

Editor

Editor

Editor

Editor

Editor

Editor

Editor

Enter this value into Profile Summary’s

150 ≤ ALR < 250 box

Editor

Editor

Editor

Editor

Exercise #3

Let’s practice using ProVAL’s 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, let’s 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

-$250.00

1.00 1,000.0

2.00

Total Length x (125≤ALR<150)/100 x $5.00

Total Length x (150≤ALR<250)/100 x $10.00+

ALR Data Entry Instructions

If this is the first Profile Summary for an ERD file, enter the percent of pavement with ALR ≥ 150.0 and < 250.0 (after corrective work) for the entire file’s 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 file’s Right Wheel Path.

If this is NOT the first Profile Summary for an ERD file, enter 0.

Exercise #4

Let’s 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/DOT’s 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.