A CLOSE LOOK AT ROAD SURFACES

Road roughness is one sign of pavement distress and is detrimental to both pavement life and ride quality. This article discusses road roughness, how roughness is measured, and the effect of roughness on the highway user and on pavement life. Ride quality is the primary criterion in setting pavement rehabilitation priorities. Ride quality can be determined by pavement serviceability ratings given by panels of drivers and passengers who ride over sections of highways in passenger cars. Road-surface profiling is another means of measuring road roughness. Early detection of distress can help to take preventive actions instead of more expensive repairs later on.