The verification and potential re-calibration of the pavement distress models with
agency-specific input and performance data is a recommended critical step in the
implementation of AASHTO’s mechanistic-empirical (ME) pavement design
methodology. Many agencies have sought to address the data needs to fulfill this step
through their pavement management data repositories. Because a majority of the
pavement management databases are focused on supporting network needs analysis,
they capture pavement related data at a coarser resolution than is necessary to support
design-level performance models. This has led to some confusion and mixed success
with using pavement management data for local calibration. However, if treated
carefully and in combination with other ancillary data, pavement management data can
certainly be used to verify/calibrate the distress models contained the AASHTO
Pavement ME Design software. This paper presents some of the essential
considerations in reviewing and applying pavement management system data for ME
design model calibration. The commentary is illustrated with some real world case
studies and examples drawn from various successful local calibration efforts conducted
in the United States using pavement management data such as those in Missouri,
Colorado and Utah.
