REVIEW OF SDDOT'S FIELD COLLECTED ROADWAY DATA

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) collects and processes a vast amount of roadway data to support internal and external analysis and design systems. These data are collected by different offices within the SDDOT, are collected by a variety of techniques, and are used for many different purposes. This report presents findings from an evaluation of the SDDOT's roadway data collection procedures and processes. The following roadway data elements are considered: traffic, roughness, rutting, friction, falling weight deflections, videolog images, distresses, faulting, and geometrics. Current practices within the Department are evaluated, as are practices within other agencies and Federal initiatives. Within the Department, issues such as data accuracy, timeliness, and value are assessed by soliciting input from a broad range of data users through a series of interviews and a widely distributed questionnaire. The data collection process is examined, with the objective of identifying procedural means of improvement. Each data element is tracked, including steps such as data collection, reduction from raw data into summary data, data entry, data use, and feedback. Components of the process that can benefit from streamlining are identified, and areas where improvements can be effected are also indicated. Process improvements include additional training for data collectors and modifications to the quality control efforts that are currently in place. Automation of the distress survey data collection is an alternative that should be considered if the Department wishes to implement a comprehensive pavement data collection plan. Specific recommendations regarding improving the SDDOT's data collection procedures are also presented. These include the development of a manual for each data collection effort that either includes or references protocols for the data item.