Pavement Performance
Unit Overview
The Pavement Performance unit supports FDOT's mission to provide a safe, reliable, and well-maintained roadway system. Through advanced testing and monitoring programs, the unit evaluates pavement friction, structural integrity, marking visibility, and safety treatments. The data collected guides planning, design, maintenance, and policy decisions across the State Highway System (SHS).
Skid Hazard Reporting (SHR)
Purpose
Identify potential safety risks and monitor pavement friction.
Activities
- Annual friction and macrotexture surveys across the SHS.
- Assess maintenance and rehabilitation needs.
Key Stats
- 8,000+ lane miles surveyed annually.
- FDOT has conducted friction testing since the late 1950s.
- Supports funding allocation and infrastructure preservation.
Pavement Marking Management System (PMMS)
Purpose
Monitor pavement marking visibility and improve roadway safety.
Activities
- Annual surveys to collect condition and reflectivity data.
- Evaluate materials, construction practices, and maintenance strategies.
Key Stats
- 20,000+ lane miles of reflectivity data collected annually.
- Enables objective maintenance decisions and safer night-time driving.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
Purpose
Evaluate pavement structure and performance without damaging the roadway.
Activities
- Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD): Determine embankment moduli for resurfacing design.
- Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR): Measure pavement thickness for pre-design projects.
- On-Board Sound Intensity (OBSI): Assess tire-pavement noise to guide design standards (e.g. rumble strips, noise barrier walls).
Key Stats
- Supports hundreds of pre-design and resurfacing projects statewide each year.
- Provides critical data for planning, policy, and engineering decisions.
High-Friction Surface Treatment (HFST)
Purpose
Restore and maintain pavement friction to reduce crashes.
Activities
- Apply a thin layer of polish-resistant aggregate bonded with polymer resin (FDOT section 333)
Purpose
- Introduced in 2006, with 60+ projects completed through 2025
- 44% reduction in total crashes on tight curves
- 84% reduction in wet-weather crashes on tight curves