Pavement Management Planning Tool for Local Agencies


The ability to identify pavement distresses and appropriate treatments is key to a pavement management system.

Use this guide to determine the right treatment for the right pavement at the right time. More on Pavement Management.

This decision tool provides a starting point for pavement maintenance and preservation treatment selection. These recommendations are presented in the context of local agency networks with lower volume roadways. Final treatment selection should also consider traffic level, construction history, and additional factors.

Instructions:

STEP 1: Select a Distress
Click on a distress to see a description, causes, and examples.
STEP 2: Select a Severity Level
Click to choose mild, moderate, or severe. This level refers to the severity, not the extent, of the distress. For example, high severity cracking refers to the crack width, not the number of cracks. How to Measure Distress?
STEP 3: Select a Distress Density
Click to choose low or moderate/high density. This selection refers to the extent of the distress. For example, high density cracking indicates that there are many cracks (regardless of crack width).
STEP 4: Review Treatment Options
Click ‘See My Treatment Options’ to reveal a list of potential treatment options for the selected distress information. Click to reveal more information for each treatment option.

List of Asphalt Pavement Distresses and Appropriate Treatments:

Description: Hardening of asphalt films, resulting in a brittle binder that is prone to cracking and/or stone loss.

Cause: Exposure to air, water, time
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STEP 2: Severity Level

Click to choose mild, moderate, or severe. This level refers to the measurement, not the extent, of the distress. For example, cracking severity is based on crack width (not the number of cracks), while rutting severity is based on rut depth measurements. How to Measure Distress?

Mild

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Surface binder is worn away, surface color has faded

Moderate

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Surface color is distinctly faded, minor loss of surface material

Severe

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Surface appears dry and faded, somewhat roughened, small surface cracks are prevalent

Description: Longitudinal and/or transverse cracking, often concentrated in the wheel paths, becoming interconnected with increased severity level. This distress indicates a structural issue.

Cause: Excessive traffic loads (i.e., more traffic than expected, or longer service life than expected)
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STEP 2: Severity Level

Click to choose mild, moderate, or severe. This level refers to the measurement, not the extent, of the distress. For example, cracking severity is based on crack width (not the number of cracks), while rutting severity is based on rut depth measurements. How to Measure Distress?

Mild

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Few or no interconnecting cracks, cracks not spalled or sealed, and pumping not evident

Moderate

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Interconnecting cracks that may be slightly spalled, cracks may be sealed, pumping is not evident

Severe

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Closely interconnected cracks forming a pattern such that individual pieces may move under traffic, cracks may be sealed, and pumping may be evident. Severe fatigue cracking is often called “alligator cracking”.

Description: Cracks that are parallel to the direction of traffic and are in the wheel path. These cracks are structural in nature.

Cause: Excessive traffic loads or extended service life. Lack of lateral support can enhance this distress.
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STEP 2: Severity Level

Click to choose mild, moderate, or severe. This level refers to the measurement, not the extent, of the distress. For example, cracking severity is based on crack width (not the number of cracks), while rutting severity is based on rut depth measurements. How to Measure Distress?

Mild

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Average crack width of less than ¼”, crack may be sealed with sealant in good condition (such that width cannot be determined).

Moderate

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Average crack width between ¼” and ¾”, or any crack near a low severity random crack.

Severe

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Average crack width > ¾”, or any crack near a moderate or high severity random crack.

Description: Cracks that are parallel to the direction of traffic, but not in the wheel path, usually at the longitudinal joint or mid-lane. These cracks are generally non-structural.

Cause: Poor construction / density at longitudinal joint, paver segregation at mid-lane
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STEP 2: Severity Level

Click to choose mild, moderate, or severe. This level refers to the measurement, not the extent, of the distress. For example, cracking severity is based on crack width (not the number of cracks), while rutting severity is based on rut depth measurements. How to Measure Distress?

Mild

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Average crack width of less than ¼”, crack may be sealed with sealant in good condition (such that width cannot be determined).

Moderate

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Average crack width between ¼” and ¾”, or any crack near a low severity random crack.

Severe

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Average crack width > ¾”, or any crack near a moderate or high severity random crack.

Description: Crescent-shaped cracks within 2 feet of the pavement edge where shoulders are not paved, including longitudinal cracks outside the wheel path.

Cause: Lack of lateral support
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STEP 2: Severity Level

Click to choose mild, moderate, or severe. This level refers to the measurement, not the extent, of the distress. For example, cracking severity is based on crack width (not the number of cracks), while rutting severity is based on rut depth measurements. How to Measure Distress?

Mild

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Cracks with no breakup of loss of material.

Moderate

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Cracks with some breakup, but loss of material for no more than 10% of affected edge length.

Severe

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Cracks with considerable breakup, with material loss affecting more than 10% of affected edge length.

Description: Patterned cracking that creates a series of rectangular pavement sections. Blocks can be 1 ft2 to 100 ft2, and can be in combination with fatigue cracking. To be considered block cracking, the pattern length should extend at least 45 ft.

Cause: Aged, dry, or brittle pavements unable to withstand weather changes.
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STEP 2: Severity Level

Click to choose mild, moderate, or severe. This level refers to the measurement, not the extent, of the distress. For example, cracking severity is based on crack width (not the number of cracks), while rutting severity is based on rut depth measurements. How to Measure Distress?

Mild

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Average crack width of less than ¼”, crack may be sealed with sealant in good condition (such that width cannot be determined).

Moderate

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Average crack width between ¼” and ¾”, or any crack near a low severity random crack.

Severe

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Average crack width > ¾”, or any crack near a moderate or high severity random crack.

Description: Cracks that are primarily perpendicular to the centerline, but not caused by underlying concrete joints.

Cause: Aged, dry, or brittle pavements unable to withstand contraction during cold weather events. Transverse cracking may also be caused by end of load segregation during construction.
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STEP 2: Severity Level

Click to choose mild, moderate, or severe. This level refers to the measurement, not the extent, of the distress. For example, cracking severity is based on crack width (not the number of cracks), while rutting severity is based on rut depth measurements. How to Measure Distress?

Mild

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Average crack width of less than ¼”, crack may be sealed with sealant in good condition (such that width cannot be determined).

Moderate

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Average crack width between ¼” and ¾”, or any crack near a low severity random crack.

Severe

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Average crack width > ¾”, or any crack near a moderate or high severity random crack.

Description: Cracks of uniform spacing that are located directly above underlying cracks or concrete joints. They can be transverse or longitudinal, and are usually evenly spaced.

Cause: Underlying cracks or concrete joints “reflect” through the asphalt surface due to the discontinuity of support.
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STEP 2: Severity Level

Click to choose mild, moderate, or severe. This level refers to the measurement, not the extent, of the distress. For example, cracking severity is based on crack width (not the number of cracks), while rutting severity is based on rut depth measurements. How to Measure Distress?

Mild

...

Average crack width of less than ¼”, crack may be sealed with sealant in good condition (such that width cannot be determined).

Moderate

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Average crack width between ¼” and ¾”, or any crack near a low severity random crack.

Severe

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Average crack width > ¾”, or any crack near a moderate or high severity random crack.

Description: Consolidation or lateral movement of pavement layer(s), resulting in a longitudinal surface depression in the wheel path.

Cause: 1) Subgrade failure (inadequate soil compaction, high clay content, poor soil quality, water softening, excessive traffic loadings) 2) Mix failure (excessive binder content, poor gradation, natural sand content, inadequate field compaction, excessive traffic loadings)
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STEP 2: Severity Level

Click to choose mild, moderate, or severe. This level refers to the measurement, not the extent, of the distress. For example, cracking severity is based on crack width (not the number of cracks), while rutting severity is based on rut depth measurements. How to Measure Distress?

Mild

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less than ¼” deep

Moderate

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¼” to ½” deep

Severe

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greater than ½” deep

Description: Missing material from the pavement surface which creates a hole in the pavement with a diameter of 6” or greater.

Cause: Localized failure of the base or subgrade, drainage problems, utility/water leaks, often appearing as advanced alligator cracking in which a portion of the broken pavement is pumped out by the action of traffic and/or water.
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STEP 2: Severity Level

Click to choose mild, moderate, or severe. This level refers to the measurement, not the extent, of the distress. For example, cracking severity is based on crack width (not the number of cracks), while rutting severity is based on rut depth measurements. How to Measure Distress?

Mild

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less than 1” depth

Moderate

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1 to 2” depth

Severe

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greater than 2” depth

Description: Distress within a patch (i.e., a portion of pavement that has been removed and replaced)

Cause: Aging of the patch or poor patch construction practices.
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STEP 2: Severity Level

Click to choose mild, moderate, or severe. This level refers to the measurement, not the extent, of the distress. For example, cracking severity is based on crack width (not the number of cracks), while rutting severity is based on rut depth measurements. How to Measure Distress?

Mild

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Low severity distress of any type, including rutting less than 1/4", pumping not evident.

Moderate

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Moderate distress of any type, including rutting of 1/4" to 1/2", pumping not evident.

Severe

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High severity distress of any type, including rutting > 1/2", pumping may be evident.

Description: Displacement of an area of the pavement surface, creating a bumpy ride. Shoving is the result of braking or acceleration, and is most often located on hills, intersections or curves.

Cause: Unstable mixture, excessive binder content, low air voids, rounded aggregates/natural sand, excessive traffic.
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STEP 2: Severity Level

Click to choose mild, moderate, or severe. This level refers to the measurement, not the extent, of the distress. For example, cracking severity is based on crack width (not the number of cracks), while rutting severity is based on rut depth measurements. How to Measure Distress?

Mild

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Low severity distress of any type, including rutting less than 1/4", pumping not evident.

Moderate

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Moderate distress of any type, including rutting of 1/4" to 1/2", pumping not evident.

Severe

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High severity distress of any type, including rutting > 1/2", pumping may be evident.

Description: Excessive oil/binder on the roadway surface, creating a loss of surface texture.

Cause: Excessive binder content of the mix, excessive tack beneath the pavement layer, excessive compaction.
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STEP 2: Severity Level

Click to choose mild, moderate, or severe. This level refers to the measurement, not the extent, of the distress. For example, cracking severity is based on crack width (not the number of cracks), while rutting severity is based on rut depth measurements. How to Measure Distress?
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Although severity levels may be evident, safety is the primary concern

Description: After binder films wear away, aggregates lose texture due to abrasion by traffic, creating a loss of surface friction.

Cause: Soft aggregates unable to withstand the effects of traffic, or smooth aggregate types.
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STEP 2: Severity Level

Click to choose mild, moderate, or severe. This level refers to the measurement, not the extent, of the distress. For example, cracking severity is based on crack width (not the number of cracks), while rutting severity is based on rut depth measurements. How to Measure Distress?
...
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Severity levels not applicable, but safety is a primary concern.

Description: Loss of asphalt binder and surface aggregate, which may affect the wheelpaths (raveling), or the entire pavement surface (weathering).

Cause: Oxidation or aging of asphalt binder, presence of water or freeze/thaw conditions.
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STEP 2: Severity Level

Click to choose mild, moderate, or severe. This level refers to the measurement, not the extent, of the distress. For example, cracking severity is based on crack width (not the number of cracks), while rutting severity is based on rut depth measurements. How to Measure Distress?
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Severity levels not applicable, but the progression of surface deterioration should be monitored.

Description: Difference in elevation between the travel lane and shoulder.

Cause: Settling, searing, or washing of shoulder material.
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STEP 2: Severity Level

Though larger drop-offs indicate higher severity, safety is the primary concern. Elevation differences as small as 2 inches on high-speed roadways can pose serious risk. How to Measure Distress?
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Description: Water seeping from beneath the pavement through cracks, such that fine material may be left on the surface.

Cause: Drainage problems, water source beneath or within the pavement, utility leaks, cracks, low density areas allowing water penetration.
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STEP 2: Severity Level

Click to choose mild, moderate, or severe. This level refers to the measurement, not the extent, of the distress. For example, cracking severity is based on crack width (not the number of cracks), while rutting severity is based on rut depth measurements. How to Measure Distress?
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Severity levels not applicable, though other distresses are likely to develop to varying degrees.