Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating

PASER
Asphalt Roads
Manual
RATING
10

RATING
7

RATING
4

PASER
Asphalt Roads
RATING
1
Contents
Transportation Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating (PASER) Manuals

Introduction 2
Information Asphalt PASER Manual, 2002, 28 pp.
Brick and Block PASER Manual, 2001, 8 pp.
Asphalt pavement distress 3
Center
Concrete PASER Manual, 2002, 28 pp.
Evaluation 4
Publications Gravel PASER Manual, 2002, 20 pp.
Surface defects 4 Sealcoat PASER Manual, 2000, 16 pp.
Surface deformation 5 Unimproved Roads PASER Manual, 2001, 12 pp.
Cracking 7
Drainage Manual
Patches and potholes 12 Local Road Assessment and Improvement, 2000, 16 pp.
Rating pavement surface condition 14 SAFER Manual
Rating system 15 Safety Evaluation for Roadways, 1996, 40 pp.
Rating 10 & 9 – Excellent 16 Flagger’s Handbook (pocket-sized guide), 1998, 22 pp.
Rating 8 – Very Good 17 Work Zone Safety, Guidelines for Construction, Maintenance,
Rating 7 – Good 18 and Utility Operations, (pocket-sized guide), 1999, 55 pp.
Rating 6 – Good 19
Wisconsin Transportation Bulletins
Rating 5 – Fair 20
#1 Understanding and Using Asphalt
Rating 4 – Fair 21
#2 How Vehicle Loads Affect Pavement Performance
Rating 3 – Poor 22 #3 LCC—Life Cycle Cost Analysis
Rating 2 – Very Poor 23 #4 Road Drainage
Rating 1 – Failed 25 #5 Gravel Roads
Practical advice on rating roads 26 #6 Using Salt and Sand for Winter Road Maintenance
#7 Signing for Local Roads
#8 Using Weight Limits to Protect Local Roads
#9 Pavement Markings
#10 Seal Coating and Other Asphalt Surface Treatments
#11 Compaction Improves Pavement Performance
#12 Roadway Safety and Guardrail
#13 Dust Control on Unpaved Roads
#14 Mailbox Safety
#15 Culverts-Proper Use and Installation
This manual is intended to assist local officials in understanding and #16 Geotextiles in Road Construction/Maintenance and Erosion Control
rating the surface condition of asphalt pavement. It describes types #17 Managing Utility Cuts
of defects and provides a simple system to visually rate pavement #18 Roadway Management and Tort Liability in Wisconsin
condition. The rating procedure can be used as condition data for the #19 The Basics of a Good Road
Wisconsin DOT local road inventory and as part of a computerized #20 Using Recovered Materials in Highway Construction
pavement management system like PASERWARE. #21 Setting Speed Limits on Local Roads

The PASER system described here and in other T.I.C. publications is Copyright © 1987, 1989, 2002
based in part on a roadway management system originally developed Wisconsin Transportation Information Center
by Phil Scherer, transportation planner, Northwest Wisconsin Regional
432 North Lake Street
Planning Commission. Madison, WI 53706
Produced by the T.I.C. with support from the Federal Highway phone 800/442-4615
Administration, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and the fax 608/263-3160
432 North Lake Street
e-mail tic@epd.engr.wisc.edu Madison, WI 53706
University of Wisconsin-Extension. The T.I.C., part of the nationwide
URL http://tic.engr.wisc.edu
Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP), is a Center of the College phone 800/442-4615
of Engineering, Department of Engineering Professional Development, fax 608/263-3160
e-mail tic@epd.engr.wisc.edu
University of Wisconsin–Madison. Printed on recycled paper. URL http://tic.engr.wisc.edu
 Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating

PASER
Asphalt Roads
Manual
Donald Walker, T.I.C. Director, author
Lynn Entine, Entine & Associates, editor
Susan Kummer, Artifax, designer
Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating

Asphalt PASER Manual

A local highway agency’s major goal is to use public funds to provide a
comfortable, safe and economical road surface—no simple task. It requires
balancing priorities and making difficult decisions in order to manage
pavements. Local rural and small city pavements are often managed informally,
based on the staff’s judgment and experience. While this process is both
important and functional, using a slightly more formalized technique can make
it easier to manage pavements effectively.
Experience has shown that there are three especially useful steps in
managing local roads:

1. Inventory all local roads and streets.

2. Periodically evaluate the condition of all pavements.

3. Use the condition evaluations to set priorities for projects

and select alternative treatments.

A comprehensive pavement management system involves collecting data and

assessing several road characteristics: roughness (ride), surface distress
(condition), surface skid characteristics, and structure (pavement strength and
deflection). Planners can combine this condition data with economic analysis to
develop short-range and long-range plans for a variety of budget levels.
However, many local agencies lack the resources for such a full-scale system.
Since surface condition is the most vital element in any pavement
management system, local agencies can use the simplified rating system
presented in this Asphalt PASER Manual to evaluate their roads. The PASER
ratings combined with other inventory data (width, length, shoulder, pavement
type, etc.) from the WisDOT local roads inventory (WISLR) can be very helpful in
planning future budgets and priorities.
WISLR inventory information and PASER ratings can be used in a
computerized pavement management system, PASERWARE, developed by the
T.I.C and WisDOT. Local officials can use PASERWARE to evaluate whether their
annual road budgets are adequate to maintain or improve current road
conditions and to select the most cost-effective strategies and priorities for
annual projects.
PASER Manuals for gravel, concrete, and other road surfaces, with
compatible rating systems are also available (page 29). Together they make a
comprehensive condition rating method for all road types. PASER ratings are
accepted for WISLR condition data.
 PASER Evaluation 3

Asphalt pavement distress

PASER uses visual inspection to evaluate pavement surface conditions. The key
to a useful evaluation is identifying different types of pavement distress and
linking them to a cause. Understanding the cause for current conditions is
extremely important in selecting an appropriate maintenance or rehabilitation
technique.
There are four major categories of common asphalt pavement surface
distress:

Surface defects
Raveling, flushing, polishing.

Surface deformation
Rutting, distortion—rippling and shoving, settling, frost heave.

Cracks
Transverse, reflection, slippage, longitudinal, block, and alligator cracks.

Patches and potholes

Deterioration has two general causes: environmental due to weathering and

aging, and structural caused by repeated traffic loadings.
Obviously, most pavement deterioration results from both environmental and
structural causes. However, it is important to try to distinguish between the
two in order to select the most effective rehabilitation techniques.
The rate at which pavement deteriorates depends on its environment, traffic
loading conditions, original construction quality, and interim maintenance
procedures. Poor quality materials or poor construction procedures can
significantly reduce the life of a pavement. As a result, two pavements
constructed at the same time may have significantly different lives, or certain
portions of a pavement may deteriorate more rapidly than others. On the other
hand, timely and effective maintenance can extend a pavement’s life. Crack
sealing and seal coating can reduce the effect of moisture in aging of asphalt
pavement.
With all of these variables, it is easy to see why pavements deteriorate at
various rates and why we find them in various stages of disrepair. Recognizing
defects and understanding their causes helps us rate pavement condition and
select cost-effective repairs. The pavement defects shown on the following
pages provide a background for this process.
Periodic inspection is necessary to provide current and useful evaluation data.
It is recommended that PASER ratings be updated every two years, and an
annual update is even better.
4 EVALUATION — Surface Defects

▼
SURFACE DEFECTS
Slight raveling.
Small aggregate
Raveling particles have
worn away
Raveling is progressive loss of pavement
exposing tops
material from the surface downward, of large
caused by: stripping of the bituminous aggregate.
film from the aggregate, asphalt hard-
ening due to aging, poor compaction
especially in cold weather construction,

▼
or insufficient asphalt content. Slight to
Moderate to
moderate raveling has loss of fines. severe raveling.
Severe raveling has loss of coarse Erosion further
aggregate. Raveling in the wheelpaths exposes large
can be accelerated by traffic. Protect aggregate.
pavement surfaces from the environ-
ment with a sealcoat or a thin overlay
if additional strength is required.

Flushing

▼
Flushing is excess asphalt on the
surface caused by a poor initial asphalt Severe raveling
mix design or by paving or sealcoating and loss of
surface
over a flushed surface. Repair by blot-
material.
ting with sand or by overlaying with
properly designed asphalt mix.

Polishing
Polishing is a smooth slippery surface
caused by traffic wearing off sharp
edges of aggregates. Repair with
sealcoat or thin bituminous overlay
using skid-resistant aggregate.
Polished, worn
aggregate
needs repair. ▼
▼

Flushing. Dark
patches show
where asphalt
has worked
to surface.
EVALUATION — Surface Deformation 5

SURFACE DEFORMATION

Rutting
Rutting is displacement of material,
creating channels in wheelpaths.
It is caused by traffic compaction or
displacement of unstable material.
Severe rutting (over 2”) may
be caused by base or subgrade
consolidation. Repair minor rutting
with overlays. Severe rutting requires
milling the old surface or reconstructing
the roadbed before resurfacing.

▼
Even slight rut-
ting is evident
after a rain.

Severe rutting
over 2” caused
by poor mix
design.
▼

Severe rutting
caused by poor
base or
subgrade.
6 EVALUATION — Surface Deformation

Heavy traffic has shoved pavement

▼
Distortion into washboard ripples and bumps.

Shoving or rippling is surfacing

material displaced crossways to the
direction of traffic. It can develop
into washboarding when the asphalt
mixture is unstable because of poor
quality aggregate or improper mix
design. Repair by milling smooth and
overlaying with stable asphalt mix.
Other pavement distortions may be
caused by settling, frost heave, etc.
Patching may provide temporary
repair. Permanent correction usually
involves removal of unsuitable
subgrade material and reconstruction.
▼

Severe settling
from utility
trench.
▼

Frost heave
damage from
spring break-up.
 EVALUATION — Cracks 7

▼ Widely spaced, well-sealed cracks.

CRACKS

Transverse cracks
A crack at approximately right angles
to the center line is a transverse crack.
They are often regularly spaced. The
cause is movement due to tempera-
ture changes and hardening of the
asphalt with aging.
Transverse cracks will initially be
widely spaced (over 50’). Additional
cracking will occur with aging until
they are closely spaced (within several
feet). These usually begin as hairline or
very narrow cracks; with aging they
widen. If not properly sealed and
maintained, secondary or multiple
cracks develop parallel to the initial
crack. The crack edges can further
deteriorate by raveling and eroding
the adjacent pavement.
Prevent water intrusion and damage
by sealing cracks which are more
than 1⁄4” wide.

Sealed cracks,
a few feet
apart.

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
Tight cracks less Open crack – 1⁄2” or Water enters unsealed Pavement ravels and erodes
than 1⁄4” in width. more in width. cracks softening along open cracks causing
pavement and causing deterioration.
secondary cracks.
8 EVALUATION — Cracks

Reflection cracks
Cracks in overlays reflect the crack
pattern in the pavement underneath.
They are difficult to prevent and
correct. Thick overlays or reconstruction
is usually required.

▼
Concrete joints
reflected through
bituminous
overlay.

Slippage cracks
Crescent or rounded cracks in the
direction of traffic, caused by slippage
between an overlay and an underlying
pavement. Slippage is most likely to
occur at intersections where traffic is
stopping and starting. Repair by
removing the top surface and
resurfacing using a tack coat.
▼

Crescent-
shaped cracks
characteristic
of slippage.
▼

Loss of
bond between
pavement layers
allows traffic
to break loose
pieces of surface.
 EVALUATION — Cracks 9

Centerline crack
(still tight).
Longitudinal cracks
▼ Cracks running in the direction of traffic
are longitudinal cracks. Center line or
lane cracks are caused by inadequate
bonding during construction or reflect
Edge cracking cracks in underlying pavement. Longi-
from weakened tudinal cracks in the wheel path indicate
subbase and fatigue failure from heavy vehicle loads.
traffic loads. ▼ Cracks within one foot of the edge are
caused by insufficient shoulder support,
poor drainage, or frost action. Cracks
usually start as hairline or vary narrow
and widen and erode with age.
Without crack filling, they can ravel,
develop multiple cracks, and become
wide enough to require patching.
Filling and sealing cracks will reduce
moisture penetration and prevent
further subgrade weakening. Multiple
longitudinal cracks in the wheel path
or pavement edge indicate a need
for strengthening with an overlay or
reconstruction.
▼

First stage
of wheelpath
cracking caused by
heavy traffic loads.

Load-related cracks Multiple open

in wheel path plus cracks at center
centerline cracking. line, wheelpaths
▼
and lane center. ▼
10 EVALUATION — Cracks

Block cracks
Block cracking is interconnected cracks
forming large blocks. Cracks usually inter-
sect at nearly right angles. Blocks may
range from one foot to approximately
10’ or more across. The closer spacing
indicates more advanced aging caused by
shrinking and hardening of the asphalt
over time. Repair with sealcoating during
early stages to reduce weathering of the
asphalt. Overlay or reconstruction required
in the advanced stages. ▼

Large blocks,
approximately
10’ across.
▼

Intermediate-size
block cracking,
1’-5’ across with
open cracks.

▼
Extensive block
cracking in an
irregular pattern.
▼

Severe block
cracking – 1‘ or
smaller blocks.
Tight cracks with
no raveling.
 EVALUATION — Cracks 11

Alligator cracks
Interconnected cracks forming small
pieces ranging in size from about 1” to
6”. This is caused by failure of the
surfacing due to traffic loading (fatigue)
and very often also due to inadequate
base or subgrade support. Repair by
excavating localized areas and replacing
base and surface. Large areas require
reconstruction. Improvements in
drainage may often be required.

▼
Alligator crack
pattern. Tight cracks
and one patch.

Characteristic
“chicken wire”
crack pattern
shows smaller
pavement pieces
and patching.
▼

Open raveled
alligator cracking
with settlement
along lane edge
most likely due to
very soft subgrade.
12 EVALUATION — Patches and Potholes

PATCHES AND POTHOLES

Patches
Original surface repaired with new
asphalt patch material. This indicates a
pavement defect or utility excavation
which has been repaired. Patches with
cracking, settlement or distortions
indicate underlying causes still remain.
Recycling or reconstruction are required
when extensive patching shows distress.▼

Typical repair of
utility excavation.
Patch in fair to
good condition.
▼

Edge wedging.
Pavement edges
strengthened
with wedges of
asphalt. Patch is
in very good
condition.
▼

Extensive
patching in
very poor
condition.
EVALUATION — Patches and Potholes 13

Potholes
Holes and loss of pavement material
caused by traffic loading, fatigue and
inadequate strength. Often combined
with poor drainage. Repair by
excavating or rebuilding localized
potholes. Reconstruction required for
extensive defects.

▼
Small pothole
where top course
has broken away.

Multiple potholes
show pavement
failure, probably
due to poor
subgrade soils,
frost heave, and
bad drainage.
▼

Large, isolated
pothole, extends
through base.
Note adjacent
alligator cracks
which commonly
deteriorate into
potholes.
14

Rating pavement surface condition

With an understanding of surface Once significant deterioration begins, toward the top end of the scale?
distress, you can evaluate and rate it is common to see pavement decline In very poor condition and at the
asphalt pavement surfaces. The rating rapidly. This is usually due to a combi- bottom of the scale? Or somewhere
scale ranges from 10 – excellent nation of loading and the effects of in between? Next, think generally
condition to 1– failed. Most pave- additional moisture. As a pavement about the appropriate maintenance
ments will deteriorate through the ages and additional cracking develops, method. Use the rating categories
phases listed in the rating scale. The more moisture can enter the pave- outlined below.
time it takes to go from excellent ment and accelerate the rate of Finally, review the individual
condition (10) to complete failure (1) deterioration. pavement distress and select the
depends largely on the quality of the Look at the photographs in this appropriate surface rating. Individual
original construction and the amount section to become familiar with the pavements will not have all of the
of heavy traffic loading. descriptions of the individual rating types of distress listed for any
categories. To evaluate an individual particular rating. They may have
pavement segment, first determine its only one or two types.
general condition. Is it relatively new,

RATING 10
PAVEMENT CONDITION

Excellent

RATING 6
Good

RATING 4
Fair

RATING 2
Poor

PAVEMENT AGE

In addition to indicating the RATINGS ARE RELATED TO NEEDED MAINTENANCE OR REPAIR

surface condition of a road,
Rating 9 & 10 No maintenance required
a given rating also includes a
recommendation for needed Rating 8 Little or no maintenance
maintenance or repair. This
feature of the rating system Rating 7 Routine maintenance, cracksealing and minor patching
facilitates its use and enhances
its value as a tool in ongoing Rating 5 & 6 Preservative treatments (sealcoating)
road maintenance.
Rating 3 & 4 Structural improvement and leveling (overlay or recycling)

Rating 1 & 2 Reconstruction

 Rating pavement surface condition 15

Rating system
Surface rating Visible distress* General condition/
treatment measures

None. New construction.

10
Excellent

None. Recent overlay. Like new.

9
Excellent

No longitudinal cracks except reflection of paving joints. Recent sealcoat or new cold mix.
8 Occasional transverse cracks, widely spaced (40’ or greater).
All cracks sealed or tight (open less than 1⁄ 4”).
Little or no maintenance
required.
Very Good

Very slight or no raveling, surface shows some traffic wear. First signs of aging. Maintain
7 Longitudinal cracks (open 1⁄ 4”) due to reflection or paving joints.
Transverse cracks (open 1⁄ 4”) spaced 10’ or more apart, little or slight
with routine crack filling.
Good crack raveling. No patching or very few patches in excellent condition.

Slight raveling (loss of fines) and traffic wear. Shows signs of aging. Sound
6 Longitudinal cracks (open 1⁄ 4”– 1⁄ 2”), some spaced less than 10’.
First sign of block cracking. Sight to moderate flushing or polishing.
structural condition. Could
extend life with sealcoat.
Good Occasional patching in good condition.

Moderate to severe raveling (loss of fine and coarse aggregate). Surface aging. Sound structural
Longitudinal and transverse cracks (open 1⁄ 2”) show first signs of condition. Needs sealcoat or
5 slight raveling and secondary cracks. First signs of longitudinal cracks thin non-structural overlay (less
Fair near pavement edge. Block cracking up to 50% of surface. Extensive than 2”)
to severe flushing or polishing. Some patching or edge wedging in
good condition.

Severe surface raveling. Multiple longitudinal and transverse cracking Significant aging and first signs
4 with slight raveling. Longitudinal cracking in wheel path. Block
cracking (over 50% of surface). Patching in fair condition.
of need for strengthening. Would
benefit from a structural overlay
Fair Slight rutting or distortions (1⁄ 2” deep or less). (2” or more).

Closely spaced longitudinal and transverse cracks often showing Needs patching and repair prior
3 raveling and crack erosion. Severe block cracking. Some alligator to major overlay. Milling and
Poor cracking (less than 25% of surface). Patches in fair to poor condition. removal of deterioration extends
Moderate rutting or distortion (1” or 2” deep). Occasional potholes. the life of overlay.

Alligator cracking (over 25% of surface). Severe deterioration. Needs

2 Severe distortions (over 2” deep) reconstruction with extensive
Very Poor Extensive patching in poor condition. base repair. Pulverization of old
Potholes. pavement is effective.

Severe distress with extensive loss of surface integrity. Failed. Needs total
1 reconstruction.
Failed
* Individual pavements will not have all of the types of distress listed for any particular rating. They may have only one or two types.
16 Rating pavement surface condition

RATING 10 & 9

EXCELLENT —
No maintenance required
Newly constructed or recently
overlaid roads are in excellent
condition and require no
maintenance. ▼

RATING 10
New construction.
▼

RATING 9
Recent
overlay,
rural.
▼

RATING 9
Recent
overlay,
urban.
 Rating pavement surface condition 17

RATING 8

VERY GOOD —
Little or no maintenance required
This category includes roads which
have been recently sealcoated or
overlaid with new cold mix. It also
includes recently constructed or
overlaid roads which may show
longitudinal or transverse cracks.
All cracks are tight or sealed.

▼
Recent
chip seal.

▼
Recent
slurry seal.

▼ Widely spaced,
sealed cracks.

▼
New cold mix surface.
18 Rating pavement surface condition

RATING 7

GOOD —
Routine sealing recommended
Roads show first signs of aging, and
they may have very slight raveling.
Any longitudinal cracks are along
paving joint. Transverse cracks may be
approximately 10‘ or more apart. All
cracks are 1⁄4” or less, with little or no
crack erosion. Few if any patches, all
in very good condition. Maintain a crack
sealing program.
▼

Tight and sealed

transverse and
longitudinal cracks.
Maintain crack
sealing program.
▼

Tight and sealed

transverse and
longitudinal cracks.
▼

Transverse cracks
about 10’ or more
apart. Maintain crack
sealing program.
 Rating pavement surface condition 19

RATING 6

GOOD —
Consider preservative treatment
Roads are in sound structural condition
but show definite signs of aging. Seal-
coating could extend their useful life.
There may be slight surface raveling.
Transverse cracks can be frequent,
less than 10‘ apart. Cracks may be
1⁄ 4–1⁄ 2”and sealed or open. Pavement is

generally sound adjacent to cracks. First

signs of block cracking may be evident.
May have slight or moderate bleeding or
polishing. Patches are in good condition.

▼
Slight surface raveling
with tight cracks, less
than 10’ apart.

▼
Transverse cracking
less than 10’ apart;
cracks well-sealed.

Open crack, 1⁄ 2“
Large blocks, early signs of wide; adjoining
▼ raveling and block cracking. ▼ pavement sound. ▼ Moderate flushing.
20 Rating pavement surface condition

RATING 5 ▼ Block cracking with open cracks.

FAIR —
Preservative maintenance
treatment required
Roads are still in good structural
condition but clearly need sealcoating
or overlay. They may have moderate
to severe surface raveling with signifi-
cant loss of aggregate. First signs of
longitudinal cracks near the edge.
First signs of raveling along cracks.
Block cracking up to 50% of surface.
Extensive to severe flushing or
polishing. Any patches or edge
wedges are in good condition.
▼

Moderate to
severe raveling in
wheel paths.

▼ Severe flushing.

▼
Wedges and patches extensive
but in good condition.
 Rating pavement surface condition 21

Severe raveling with Load cracking and slight RATING 4

▼ extreme loss of aggregate. ▼ rutting in wheel path.
FAIR —
Structural improvement required
Roads show first signs of needing
strengthening by overlay. They have
very severe surface raveling which
should no longer be sealed. First
longitudinal cracking in wheel path.
Many transverse cracks and some
may be raveling slightly. Over 50% of
the surface may have block cracking.
Patches are in fair condition. They
may have rutting less than 1⁄ 2” deep
or slight distortion.

Longitudinal cracking;

▼
early load-related
distress in wheel path.
Strengthening needed.

▼ Slight rutting; patch

in good condition.
▼

Extensive block cracking.

Blocks tight and sound.
Slight rutting in
▼

wheel path.
22 Rating pavement surface condition

RATING 3

POOR—
Structural improvement required
Roads must be strengthened with a
structural overlay (2“ or more). Will benefit
from milling and very likely will require
pavement patching and repair beforehand.
Cracking will likely be extensive. Raveling
and erosion in cracks may be common.
Surface may have severe block cracking
and show first signs of alligator cracking.
Patches are in fair to poor condition.
There is moderate distortion or rutting
(1-2”) and occasional potholes.
▼

Many wide and

raveled cracks
indicate need for
milling and overlay.
▼

2” ruts
need mill
and overlay.
▼

Open and
raveled
block cracks.
Rating pavement surface condition 23

RATING 3

POOR — (continued)
Structural improvement required

Alligator cracking.

▼
Edge needs repair
and drainage needs
improvement prior
to rehabilitation.

▼ Distortion with patches

in poor condition. Repair
and overlay.
24 Rating pavement surface condition

RATING 2

VERY POOR—
Reconstruction required
Roads are severely deteriorated and need
reconstruction. Surface pulverization and
additional base may be cost-effective.
These roads have more than 25%
alligator cracking, severe distortion or
rutting, as well as potholes or extensive
patches in poor condition.
▼

Extensive alligator
cracking. Pulverize
and rebuild.

▼
Severe rutting.
Strengthen base and reconstruct.

▼
Patches in poor
condition, wheelpath
rutting. Pulverize,
strengthen and
reconstruct.
▼

Severe
frost damage.
Reconstruct.
Rating pavement surface condition 25

RATING 1

FAILED —
Reconstruction required
Roads have failed, showing severe
distress and extensive loss of surface
integrity.

▼
Potholes from frost
damage. Reconstruct.

Potholes and severe

alligator cracking.
Failed pavement.
Reconstruct.

Extensive loss
of surface.
Rebuild.
26 Practical advice on rating roads

Practical advice on rating roads

Inventory and field inspection 1⁄2 mile to a mile long, while sections segment relative to all the other
in urban areas will likely be 1-4 blocks segments in your roadway system. On
Most agencies routinely observe road-
long or more. If you are starting with completion you should be able to look
way conditions as a part of their
the WISLR Inventory, the segments at any two pavement segments and
normal work and travel. However, an
have already been established. You may find that the better surface has a
actual inspection means looking at the
want to review them for consistent higher rating.
entire roadway system as a whole and
road conditions. Within a given rating, say 6, not all
preparing a written summary of
Obviously, no roadway segment is pavements will be exactly the same.
conditions. This inspection has many
entirely consistent. Also, surfaces in one However, they should all be considered
benefits over casual observations. It can
section will not have all of the types of to be in better condition than those
be helpful to compare segments, and
distress listed for any particular rating. with lower ratings, say 5. Sometimes it
ratings decisions are likely to be more
They may have only one or two types. is helpful in rating a difficult segment
consistent because the roadway system
Therefore, some averaging is necessary. to compare it to other previously rated
is considered as a whole within a
The objective is to rate the condition segments. For example, if it is better
relatively short time.
that represents the majority of the than one you rated 5 and worse than a
An inspection also encourages a
roadway. Small or isolated conditions typical 7, then a rating of 6 is
review of specific conditions important
should not influence the rating. It is appropriate. Having all pavement
in roadway maintenance, such as drain-
useful to note these special conditions segments rated in the proper relative
age, adequate strength, and safety.
on the inventory form so this informa- order is most important and useful.
A simple written inventory is useful
tion can be used in planning specific
in making decisions where other people
improvement projects. For example, Assessing drainage conditions
are involved. You do not have to trust
some spot repairs may be required.
your memory, and you can usually Moisture and poor pavement drainage
Occasionally surface conditions vary
answer questions in more detail. are significant factors in pavement
significantly within a segment. For
Having a written record and objective deterioration. Some assessment of
example, short sections of good
information also improves your credi- drainage conditions during pavement
condition may be followed by sections
bility with the public. rating is highly recommended. While
of poor surface conditions. In these
Finally, a written inventory is very you should review drainage in detail at
cases, it is best to rate the segment
useful in documenting changing the project level, at this stage simply
according to the worst conditions and
roadway conditions. Without records include an overview drainage evalua-
note the variation on the form.
over several years it is impossible to tion at the same time as you evaluate
The overall purpose of condition
know if road conditions are improving, surface condition.
rating is to be able to compare each
holding their own, or declining.
Annual budgets and long range
Urban
planning are best done when based on drainage.
actual needs as documented with a
RATING:
written inventory.
Excellent
The Wisconsin DOT local road
inventory (WISLR) is a valuable resource
for managing your local roads. Adding
PASER surface condition ratings is an
important improvement.

Averaging and comparing

sections
For evaluation, divide the local road
system into individual segments which
are similar in construction and condi-
tion. Rural segments may vary from
 Practical advice on rating roads 27

Good rural ditch Consider both pavement surface

and driveway drainage and lateral drainage (ditches or
culvert. Culvert storm sewers). Pavement should be able
end needs
to quickly shed water off the surface
cleaning.
into the lateral ditches. Ditches should
RATING: Good be large and deep enough to drain the
pavement and remove the surface water
efficiently into adjacent waterways.
Look at the roadway crown and
check for low surface areas that permit
ponding. Paved surfaces should have
approximately a 2% cross slope or
crown across the roadway. This will
provide approximately 3“ of fall on a
12‘ traffic lane. Shoulders should have
a greater slope to improve surface
drainage.
A pavement’s ability to carry heavy
High shoulder traffic loads depends on both the
and no ditch lead pavement materials (asphalt surfacing
to pavement and granular base) and the strength
damage. Needs of the underlying soils. Most soils lose
major ditch
strength when they are very wet.
improvement
for a short Therefore, it is important to provide
distance. drainage to the top layer of the
subgrade supporting the pavement
RATING: Fair structure.
In rural areas, drainage is provided
most economically by open ditches that
allow soil moisture to drain laterally. As
a rule of thumb, the bottom of the
ditch ought to be at least one foot
below the base course of the pavement
in order to drain the soils. This means
that minimum ditch depth should be
about 2‘ below the center of the
pavement. Deeper ditches, of course,
No drainage are required to accommodate roadway
leads to failed culverts and maintain the flow line to
pavement. adjacent drainage channels or streams.
You should also check culverts and
RATING: Poor
storm drain systems. Storm drainage
systems that are silted in, have a large
accumulation of debris, or are in poor
structural condition will also degrade
pavement performance.
The T.I.C. publication, Drainage
Manual: Local Road Assessment and
Improvement, describes the elements
of drainage systems, depicts them in
detailed photographs, and explains how
to rate their condition. Copies are
available from the Transportation
Information Center.
28 Practical advice on rating roads

Planning annual maintenance pavement strength since these may tation projects. Assessing roadway
and repair budgets dictate a more comprehensive rehabi- conditions is an essential first step in
litation than the rating suggests. On this process. This asphalt pavement
We have found that relating a normal the other hand, it may be appropriate surface condition rating procedure
maintenance or rehabilitation proce- under special conditions to do nothing has proved effective in improving
dure to the surface rating scheme and let the pavement fully deteriorate, decision making and using highway
helps local officials use the rating then rebuild when funds are available. funds more efficiently. It can be used
system. However, an individual surface directly by local officials and staff. It
rating should not automatically dictate Summary may be combined with additional
the final maintenance or rehabilitation testing and data collection in a more
technique. Using local road funds most efficiently comprehensive pavement manage-
requires good planning and accurate ment system.
You should consider future traffic identification of appropriate rehabili-
projections, original construction, and
Contents
Transportation Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating (PASER) Manuals

Introduction 2
Information Asphalt PASER Manual, 2002, 28 pp.
Brick and Block PASER Manual, 2001, 8 pp.
Asphalt pavement distress 3
Center
Concrete PASER Manual, 2002, 28 pp.
Evaluation 4
Publications Gravel PASER Manual, 2002, 20 pp.
Surface defects 4 Sealcoat PASER Manual, 2000, 16 pp.
Surface deformation 5 Unimproved Roads PASER Manual, 2001, 12 pp.
Cracking 7
Drainage Manual
Patches and potholes 12 Local Road Assessment and Improvement, 2000, 16 pp.
Rating pavement surface condition 14 SAFER Manual
Rating system 15 Safety Evaluation for Roadways, 1996, 40 pp.
Rating 10 & 9 – Excellent 16 Flagger’s Handbook (pocket-sized guide), 1998, 22 pp.
Rating 8 – Very Good 17 Work Zone Safety, Guidelines for Construction, Maintenance,
Rating 7 – Good 18 and Utility Operations, (pocket-sized guide), 1999, 55 pp.
Rating 6 – Good 19
Wisconsin Transportation Bulletins
Rating 5 – Fair 20
#1 Understanding and Using Asphalt
Rating 4 – Fair 21
#2 How Vehicle Loads Affect Pavement Performance
Rating 3 – Poor 22 #3 LCC—Life Cycle Cost Analysis
Rating 2 – Very Poor 23 #4 Road Drainage
Rating 1 – Failed 25 #5 Gravel Roads
Practical advice on rating roads 26 #6 Using Salt and Sand for Winter Road Maintenance
#7 Signing for Local Roads
#8 Using Weight Limits to Protect Local Roads
#9 Pavement Markings
#10 Seal Coating and Other Asphalt Surface Treatments
#11 Compaction Improves Pavement Performance
#12 Roadway Safety and Guardrail
#13 Dust Control on Unpaved Roads
#14 Mailbox Safety
#15 Culverts-Proper Use and Installation
This manual is intended to assist local officials in understanding and #16 Geotextiles in Road Construction/Maintenance and Erosion Control
rating the surface condition of asphalt pavement. It describes types #17 Managing Utility Cuts
of defects and provides a simple system to visually rate pavement #18 Roadway Management and Tort Liability in Wisconsin
condition. The rating procedure can be used as condition data for the #19 The Basics of a Good Road
Wisconsin DOT local road inventory and as part of a computerized #20 Using Recovered Materials in Highway Construction
pavement management system like PASERWARE. #21 Setting Speed Limits on Local Roads

The PASER system described here and in other T.I.C. publications is Copyright © 1987, 1989, 2002
based in part on a roadway management system originally developed Wisconsin Transportation Information Center
by Phil Scherer, transportation planner, Northwest Wisconsin Regional
432 North Lake Street
Planning Commission. Madison, WI 53706
Produced by the T.I.C. with support from the Federal Highway phone 800/442-4615
Administration, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and the fax 608/263-3160
432 North Lake Street
e-mail tic@epd.engr.wisc.edu Madison, WI 53706
University of Wisconsin-Extension. The T.I.C., part of the nationwide
URL http://tic.engr.wisc.edu
Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP), is a Center of the College phone 800/442-4615
of Engineering, Department of Engineering Professional Development, fax 608/263-3160
e-mail tic@epd.engr.wisc.edu
University of Wisconsin–Madison. Printed on recycled paper. URL http://tic.engr.wisc.edu
 Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating

PASER
Asphalt Roads
Manual
RATING
10

RATING
7

RATING
4

PASER
Asphalt Roads
RATING
1