MARICOPA COUNTY CREATES A SMOOTH-RIDE PROGRAM

Maricopa County, Arizona is including smoothness as part of its contractor incentive awards, after studies show that smoothness is something the driving public most closely associates with pavement quality. Smooth rides also save energy, reduce wear on vehicles and increase passengers' comfort. The county works with contractors to measure roughness using the International Roughness Index, which reflects in inches the up and down displacement a passenger experiences riding on the surface at the posted speed limit. "Zero" would be completely smooth. The first roadway to be paved under the incentive program resulted in a pavement with a value of 54 inches per mile, the lowest recorded to date. The contractor's incentive award accounted for an increase in the contract award of less than 4%, well within the anticipated budget. The extra cost is expected to be made up through lower maintenance costs and increased rider satisfaction.

Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1519687
Corporate Authors:
James Informational Media, Incorporated

2720 South River Road, Suite 126
Des Plaines, IL United States 60018-
Authors:
- Boeger, R
- Crowe, R J
Publication Date: 2002-3

Language

English

Media Info

Features: Figures; Photos;
Pagination: p. 42-44
Serial:
- Better Roads
- Volume: 72
- Issue Number: 3
- Publisher: James Informational Media, Incorporated
- ISSN: 0006-0208
- Serial URL: http://www.betterroads.com

Subject/Index Terms

TRT Terms: Fuel consumption; Incentives; Instruments for measuring roughness; Overlays (Pavements); Pavers; Resurfacing; Ride quality; Smoothness; Surface course (Pavements)
Identifier Terms: International Roughness Index
Geographic Terms: Maricopa County (Arizona)
Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Pavements;

Filing Info

Accession Number: 00923594
Record Type: Publication
Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
Files: BTRIS, TRIS
Created Date: May 2 2002 12:00AM