The Houston Airport System (HAS) selected APTech, working as a subcontractor, to complete several comprehensive pavement condition assessments as part of its asset management strategy to maintain its pavement infrastructure. APTech was chosen for this work due to our experience performing the airport pavement management system (APMS) update in 2014. This project involved concurrent efforts at three airports maintained by HAS (Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston William P. Hobby Airport, and Ellington Field) and required APTech to manage large volumes of accurate data and integrate them into the HAS PAVER databases.

This project entailed leading APMS updates at all three HAS airports. To begin, APTech performed a records review while updating the pavement inventory and network definition. APTech then collected pavement condition data by georeferencing each distress on runways, taxiways, and select aprons using tablet computers paired with GPS units. APTech staff filtered the collected distress data according to the ASTM D5340-20 PCI methodology prior to uploading into the PAVER database for each airport. APTech also performed FWD testing and analysis to assess structural integrity of the pavements and provided a runway grooving assessment. As part of this work, APTech also developed a capital improvement plan (CIP) and an infrastructure condition assessment using metrics established by HAS. APTech concluded this project by developing a final project report and providing HAS employees with PAVER training.

Because of APTech’s work, the HAS staff can now make asset management decisions across their pavement networks using geo-referenced data down to an individual slab-level. The collected information allowed HAS to easily retrieve the physical condition, remaining service life, and operational impact of each pavement asset throughout their airfield networks. Additionally, by geo-referencing each distress the maintenance work plans are based on actual locations and dimensions of work quantities. Due to HAS’ satisfaction with this project, APTech was recently awarded another contract as a subconsultant to incorporate the remaining aprons and shoulder pavements into their pavement management system.

In advance of the 2028 Olympics, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is planning improvements for the North Airfield to enhance its airfield operational management and safety as part of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Airfield Improvement Program (AIP). These affected areas include the exits and runway keel section of Runway 6L-24R and Runway 6R-24L. As part of the selected design team, Applied Pavement Technology, Inc. (APTech), as a subcontractor to HNTB Corporation (HNTB), provided pavement design services to develop multiple rehabilitation and new construction alternatives for the taxiways, along with shoulder and blast pad pavements and erosion control areas. APTech also performed structural testing to assess the structural remaining life of the Runway 6L-24R pavements.

APTech reviewed available geotechnical testing results and aircraft traffic data for the anticipated project locations and developed pavement design alternatives in accordance with FAA Advisory Circular 150/5320-6G, Airport Pavement Design and Evaluation, and using FAA’s FAARFIELD pavement design software. Geotechnical testing indicated a wide range of subgrade support conditions across the project area. Additionally, traffic demands varied by taxiway, with the high-speed exits having arrival aircraft (lighter weights). The design team worked with LAWA to determine appropriate aircraft traffic mixes and anticipated growth rates for the associated runways and taxiways. Both 20-year and 40-year designs were assessed. Based on the varying field conditions and anticipated traffic, a matrix of pavement cross sections was determined, with advantages and disadvantages provided for each alternative. APTech also conducted falling weight deflectometer (FWD) testing on Runway 6L-24R and analyzed the data to determine in place layer properties and to assess the structural remaining life using the FAA’s FAARFIELD software.

As part of this project, APTech offered customized solutions to fit LAWA’s needs. Pavement designs were selected to be cost-effective and meet traffic demands. APTech recommended concrete for the departure pavements (Runway 6R-24L and Taxiway E) and high-speed exit taxiways pavements (Taxiways W, V, U, and S), with the high-speed taxiway pavements being slightly thinner overall. Asphalt pavements were selected as more cost-effective alternatives in the non-traffic areas such as the shoulder, blast pad, and erosion control areas.

Based on the structural assessment of Runway 6L-24R, APTech determined that at least portions of the asphalt overlay would likely need to be replaced within about 5 years. The design team noted that unbonded areas determined through the evaluation are anticipated to show fatigue cracking from acting as thin layers under aircraft traffic loads, and APTech recommended they be removed and replaced. These improvements will enhance the safety of passengers and airport employees and ensure the airport will be able to handle the additional traffic anticipated for the Olympics.

Applied Pavement Technology, Inc. (APTech) worked as a subcontractor to update the PMP for the runways and taxiways at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). This project included approximately 20 million square feet of pavement and was built on a program previously completed in 2017 for CLT’s runway and taxiway pavements. Runway and taxiway shoulder pavements were incorporated into the PMP as part of this project, providing the client with more comprehensive information about their airfield pavements. The project was complemented by a Pavement Management Program (PMP) for apron pavements, completed by APTech in 2020.

This project consisted of multiple phases. The first phase focused on pavement analysis, which included reviewing relevant pavement maintenance and construction records, performing PCI inspections, conducting FWD testing, and developing a coring plan. On-site work was completed during nightly closures. APTech customized the PAVER database to determine the maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) needs, which were used as a starting point for developing a 5-year capital improvement plan (CIP). Subsequent analysis consisted of calculating PCNs and PCRs, along with calculating structural remaining life of each aircraft-trafficked pavement section. APTech submitted a comprehensive project report and executive summary documenting the methodologies used, data collected, and results of the analysis for the runway and taxiway PMP update. APTech also participated in a series of meetings throughout the project to facilitate coordination and communication of results.

The second phase of this project included on-call pavement assessments as requested by CLT to determine the ability of certain pavement areas to accommodate aircraft operations outside of the typical aircraft fleet mix. The final phase consisted of performing annual (4 years in total) non-destructive testing on a sinusoidal longitudinal joint constructed along Taxiway M, analyzing the data to calculate the load transfer efficiency, assessing the relationship to or change from previous results, and providing the data to the Federal Aviation Administration’s William J. Hughes Technical Center as part of ongoing research.

APTech’s work on the PMP allowed CLT staff to manage their valuable runway and taxiway pavement infrastructure in an efficient, cost-effective manner, considering both functional and structural conditions. Results of this project brought engineering, planning, and maintenance staff together to continue improving their airfield pavement infrastructure.

APTech has provided pavement management, evaluation, and design services to the Kansas City Aviation Department (KCAD) for projects at Kansas City International Airport for more than 15 years. During our most contract, ongoing since 2020 as a subconsultant, APTech performed the 2021 and 2024 PMP updates, as well as airfield pavement evaluation and design projects for Runways 9-27 and 1L-19R and for Taxiways C and E. These services include PCI inspections, PAVER updates and analysis, FWD testing and analysis, PCN and PCR calculations.

PMP Update

In 2021, the KCAD partnered with the HNTB-APTech team to update to the airfield PMP. The project included over 23 million square feet of airfield pavement on runways, taxiways, and terminal apron pavements. The project also incorporated the overhaul base apron. APTech began this project by reviewing the construction records and updating the PAVER database and associated maps to reflect construction and rehabilitation work that had occurred since the previous update. APTech also led the pavement condition index (PCI) inspections (assisted by HNTB staff), identified maintenance and rehabilitation needs, developed a recommended capital improvement plan (CIP), and documented the results and recommendations in a project report and corresponding executive summary. The HNTB-APTech team are currently conducting the 2024 PMP Update. In addition to the tasks completed during the 2021 Update, the APTech team is also determining Pavement Condition Ratings (PCR) for runway pavements to comply with the FAA requirements. 

Evaluation and Design Services

Based on needs identified in the PMP project, in 2022, APTech performed an evaluation and preliminary design for Runway 9-27. APTech began this project by performing falling-weight deflectometer (FWD) testing to conduct a structural analysis of the asphalt-surfaced pavement on the runway. APTech then developed a geotechnical testing plan based on initial review of the FWD data. APTech also assessed the PCN and PCR for this runway based on testing results and current traffic. The results of this analysis were used to develop a short- and long-term rehabilitation plan for this runway.

Also in 2022, APTech performed a structural analysis of the aging concrete pavement along Taxiway E, which was exhibiting durability cracking. APTech conducted FWD testing and provided an associated analysis while offering input into a geotechnical investigation. The results of this work led to pavement surface reconstruction recommendations.

In 2020, APTech performed pavement design services for the planned reconstruction of Runway 1L-19R, which serves as the airport’s primary runway. APTech began this project by reviewing available records, including data from a previously conducted preliminary evaluation. The APTech team then developed runway reconstruction design alternatives, performed a life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA), and created a detailed pavement design report. Following reconstruction of the runway, APTech also reviewed PCR calculations completed by HNTB.

In 2020, APTech also conducted an in-depth evaluation of Taxiway C (east of Runway 1R-19L) to develop a rehabilitation plan. This project involved reviewing design and construction plans, past pavement studies, and traffic details. APTech also performed FWD testing as part of the evaluation and developed pavement rehabilitation and reconstruction alternatives. The APTech team also created an LCCA of feasible alternatives to allow KCAD to determine the most cost-effective work approach. Following construction of a pavement overlay along a portion of Taxiway C, a B747 aircraft was improperly tugged across the pavement causing surface damage. To assess the extent of the surface damage, APTech partnered with TREKK, who took UAS-captured aerial images to better assess repair costs.

APTech’s work at KCI demonstrates our team’s ability to customize multiple projects to fit the unique needs of individual airports. This project also illustrates APTech’s experience with pavement management and evaluation projects within the FAA’s Central Region.

North Dakota’s aviation system was heavily impacted by investments in oil recovery starting in 2008. In some areas of the state, traffic levels increased by more than 70 percent annually, and most airports saw much larger and heavier aircraft in their operations. Together, these factors impacted the system’s condition and future needs and presented a serious challenge for state officials to manage their airport pavement infrastructure. To proactively address this need, in 2011, North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) selected APTech, as a subconsultant, to update and enhance North Dakota's state airport pavement management system (APMS). NDAC reselected APTech in 2015, 2018, 2021, and most recently in 2023 to continue to update and improve their APMS.

APTech’s role in these projects included updating pavement inventory data, construction history information, and project mapping. APTech also collected pavement condition index (PCI) inspection data, completed a variety of condition analyses, and developed a five-year pavement needs analysis. During previous updates, APTech also performed non-destructive testing using our falling weight deflectometer (FWD) and calculated Pavement Classification Numbers (PCNs).

In 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) updated pavement strength reporting guidance to align with those of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), causing reporting requirements to transition from the previous PCNs to Pavement Classification Ratings (PCRs). As part of the most recent update, APTech is calculating PCRs for runways servicing aircraft over 12,500 lbs at eight commercial service airports to comply with the updated pavement strength reporting guidelines.

As part of these updates, APTech has assisted in outreach activities related to the APMS in the form of focus group meetings and presentations at North Dakota’s annual airport conference. APTech also developed—and subsequently updated—its web-based interactive pavement management tool, IDEA, to enable the NDAC, airport managers, and other stakeholders to view project results online and modernize the way project information and results were disseminated.

In 1998, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation (Bureau) selected APTech to implement a statewide airport pavement management system (APMS). Due to the agency’s satisfaction, APTech was retained again in 2005, 2008, 2015, and 2022 to update, expand, and improve the APMS. 

The most recent project involved evaluating the pavements at 85 public-use airports and heliports in Pennsylvania using the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) procedure. APTech used that information to develop maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) recommendations for each airport, analyzing the impact multiple budget scenarios have on the system’s condition. Additionally, APTech prepared project reports and updated the Bureau’s web-based pavement data visualization tool, IDEA. Finally, structural testing with a heavyweight falling weight deflectometer (FWD), supplemented with a coring program, was performed. The APTech team analyzed the collected information to determine Pavement Classification Ratings (PCRs) for the primary runways at select commercial airports.

One unique challenge of this project was the absence of historical pavement layer thickness records for some runway pavement included for PCR determinations. Additionally, a review of FWD deflection testing data identified further layer thickness needs. To address these issues, APTech reached out to each of the airport sponsors directly where additional information was needed. This effort greatly reduced the need for additional investigation and allowed APTech to implement a plan to obtain further information through pavement coring. These efforts were successful in obtaining the data needed to determine the PCRs for all included runway pavements.

The updated APMS gives the airports, the Bureau, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) the pavement information and analytical tools necessary to identify pavement-related needs, optimize the selection of projects and treatments, and evaluate the long-term impacts of their project priorities. The APMS will also be used to determine the ability of the current aviation system to meet transportation and economic objectives as they relate to the pavement infrastructure on a statewide basis.

To protect the valuable infrastructure of the Commonwealth’s airports, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), Aeronautics Division selected APTech to implement an airport pavement management system (APMS) for thirty-three airports in 2012. Based on their satisfaction with our work, APTech was selected to perform the 2016 and 2020 to 2023 updates.

During the latest update, APTech compiled work history information and used that to update network definition maps. To obtain current condition information, APTech performed Pavement Condition Index (PCI) inspections according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and ASTM procedures. This work then led to the update of the PAVER database.

With information in hand, APTech was then able to develop a multi-year maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) plan for MassDOT and generate individual reports, a statewide report, and an executive summary. APTech also used the findings of the study to update MassDOT’s web-based, pavement data visualization tool, IDEA. This tool enables users to easily view and retrieve project information and results.

As part of the project, APTech also provided MassDOT staff with training on the PCI procedure and how to use PAVER. During previous work on the APMS, APTech calculated Pavement Classification Numbers (PCNs) for selected pavements as well as conducted training on the PCI procedure to airport and MassDOT staff.

APTech’s update of the APMS enables MassDOT to continue to preserve its valuable airport pavement infrastructure in an efficient and effective manner. It is also able to continue its outreach program to communicate the importance of pavement preservation to the airport sponsors and consultants. The IDEA provides an effective tool to further this communication and provides easy access to the findings and recommendations developed during the APMS project, without requiring the use of pavement management software.

As part of its ongoing Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Applied Pavement Technology, Inc. (APTech) was recently awarded a contract to investigate and document the direct and indirect impacts of wildfires on pavement infrastructure.

This effort involves completing a comprehensive literature search and a series of interviews with selected agency personnel who frequently contend with wildfire emergencies and their associated effects. The support for this project will cut across a range of administrative, technical, and outreach activities that will result in the development of a set of reports and associated outreach materials.

Key Tasks

Literature review summary report

Identifying case study states

Interviewing case study states

Development of project summary report

Development of tech brief

Conduction of national-level webinar

The APTech team’s work on this project will not only present the current state of knowledge on wildfire impacts on pavements, but also set the stage for future work in this area by identifying critical information gaps and research needs.

In 2023, The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) Aviation Planning Section selected APTech to update their statewide airport pavement management system (APMS) for the twenty-two of the airports in their system. This project builds on APTech’s successful Nevada APMS update in 2018.

As part of this project, APTech will:

Update all pavement inventory, work history, and mapping from the previous APMS update

Complete condition inspections of each airport to collect pavement condition index (PCI) data

Perform maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) analysis

Develop a multi-year capital improvement plan (CIP) for pavement needs at each airport

Document results in an individual airport executive summary for each airport, a statewide executive summary report, and delivery of the interactive APMS visualization tool, IDEA

Determine Pavement Classification Ratings (PCRs) for the runways at the project airports as a measure of relative pavement strength and develop aircraft traffic forecasts for each airport  

Throughout this project, APTech will aid NDOT and airport sponsors in efficiently prioritizing pavement improvements, making the best use of available funding. This project will also assist each airport that is part of the NPIAS in fulfilling a majority of the requirements of FAA Grant Assurance 11 regarding the implementation of an effective pavement management system.

APTech, as a subcontractor to Iowa State University, is part of a team evaluating the use of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) to conduct airfield pavement inspections. The project includes a comprehensive review of current and emerging sUAS platforms and sUAS-mounted sensor technologies, along with the deployment of technology-platform combinations on airfield pavements to evaluate their technical specifications (i.e., performance and required criteria). This project is also providing an overview of potential standard processes and procedures for the use of sUAS for airport pavement inspection.

APTech contributed ground-truth survey results as part of a detailed field demonstration plan carried out at airports in four states. The practical lessons learned from the field demonstration projects will be captured, analyzed, and ultimately used to provide inputs to the development of a draft Advisory Circular addressing the use of sUAS to supplement airport pavement management program inspections. A final report including the research methodology and findings for the project, as well as an executive summary and list of recommendations for further research needs, will be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Key tasks include review of sUAS platforms, review of sUAS-mounted sensor technology, deployment of technology-platform combinations, development of standard sUAS processes and procedures for airport pavement inspection, contribution to ground-truth survey results, and development of reports.

Ultimately, expected outcomes from this research will include contributing to the development of standard processes and procedures, as well as technical specifications, for various types of sUAS and sUAS-mounted sensor technologies to consistently conduct safe, reliable, and effective sUAS-based airport pavement management inspections.

Knoxville-Knox County Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) was in search of an experienced firm to provide it with the necessary tools to support implementation of pavement management for its member agencies. APTech was chosen to provide these services in two phases.

Phase 1 was completed over the course of 2020 and 2021 and involved the development of pavement management implementation plans for participating agencies (Maryville, Clinton, Oak Ridge, Knoxville, and Blount County). This was accomplished by informing agencies about the benefits of pavement management, developing and leading workshops, hosting follow-up discussions, and developing a Phase 2 implementation plan.

The Phase 2 plans started in 2022 and consisted of implementing pavement management systems (PMS) for participating agencies. These tasks include:

Automated condition data collection using APTech’s enhanced data gathering equipment (EDGE) van

Selecting pavement management software and assisting with its configuration and implementation

Reviewing agency treatment approaches and recommending possible improvements using preservation and maintenance

Providing additional engineering support services

Three of the agencies did not have PMS systems in place at the outset. These agencies are eager to determine and report needs using data-driven, performance-based decision processes. Two of the agencies were dissatisfied with the systems they were using, so our work greatly improved their capabilities. Given the success of this effort, the TPO has received approval for expanding this effort in fiscal years 2023 to 2026 to include re-collection of condition data and adding agencies who would like to participate.

Since 2005, APTech has been on a short list of on-call consultants providing management services to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ). Over that time, APTech has updated the pavement management systems at:

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in 2012, 2014, and 2016

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in 2007, 2010, and 2014

LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in 2007, 2010, 2019, 2021, and 2022

Stewart International Airport (SWF) in 2013, 2019, 2021, and 2022

Teterboro Airport (TEB) in 2005, 2006, and 2010

The updates at JFK, EWR, SWF, and LGA included both the airside and landside pavement systems, while only the airside pavements were inspected at TEB. APTech has also performed similar services for other PANYNJ facilities, such as the Lincoln Tunnel, the Holland Tunnel, and the George Washington Bridge pavement complexes, along with pavement management system (PMS) updates in 2020 and 2021 for Bayonne and Goethals Bridge, and Outerbridge Crossing. In 2021, APTech updated the pavement management systems for Port Jersey and Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminals.

For each project, APTech conducted a records review and used automated data collection equipment to collect pavement surface condition, transverse and longitudinal profile, rutting data, and right-of-way imaging. We performed shoulder and erosion pavement evaluations, as well as skid testing on select airside and landside pavements. In addition, APTech updated PANYNJ’s PAVER database with inventory changes, recent construction details, and pavement condition data to develop pavement condition index ratings for each pavement section.

Detailed distress maps were generated using data collected from EDGE, APTech’s automated data collection vehicle on select pavements at JFK and Lincoln Tunnel. APTech also developed pavement performance models to predict the PCI of each pavement section over the next 7 years and to determine when each pavement section drops below Authority-established trigger values. Maintenance and rehabilitation plans were developed to highlight the pavement rehabilitation needs and project activities, results, and recommendations were summarized into a project report. Finally, APTech provided training to PANYNJ staff on pavement management concepts, pavement distress types and causes, and use of PAVER software.

PANYNJ uses the information from the pavement management projects to manage its vast pavement system at all of its facilities, including airports, marine terminals, tunnels, and bridges. The use of the EDGE automated data collection vehicle to generate distress maps amidst JFK’s busy aircraft operations demonstrates the technology’s value. Additionally, this project involved coordinating with a subconsultant to provide lighting services for nighttime inspections of the shoulders. APTech completed this large-hub airport PMS project without impacting its busy aircraft operations. APTech is currently continuing services under an additional IDIQ agreement.

In 1999, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Aeronautics Group recognized that it needed a system that would enable it to expend its limited budget for pavement maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) in a way that maximized every dollar spent. To meet this challenge, ADOT chose APTech to establish an airport pavement management system (APMS). Impressed with APTech’s work and the usefulness of the APMS not only for themselves but also to the Federal Aviation Administration, airport sponsors, and consultants, the ADOT Aeronautics Group has retained APTech to complete six updates to the system, with the most current being completed in 2023.

During the most recent project, APTech updated the pavement systems inventory and associated maps and conducted Pavement Condition Index (PCI) inspections for sixty-two airports. In addition, APTech developed an 8-year M&R plan that focused on identifying projects for its proactive Airport Pavement Preservation Program (APPP).

Deliverables included a statewide report, individual airport reports, an APMS procedures manual, an executive summary report, and an update to its web-based pavement data visualization tool, IDEA. Many new features were incorporated into this version of IDEA, including a powerful query and filter tool and aerial imagery.

Training courses on the PCI procedure and the PAVER pavement management software were conducted as part of this update. The project culminated with a presentation of the findings of the most recent update and a demonstration on the use of IDEA at the Arizona Airports Association annual spring conference in May 2023.

During previous updates, structural testing with a heavy-weight falling-weight deflectometer, supplemented with a coring program, was undertaken as well as a structural analysis to determine structural strength and Pavement Classification Numbers.

APTech’s APMS inspections have made a lasting impact on the state. The initial 2000 implementation confirmed that state funding levels were insufficient to sponsor all needed pavement M&R projects. Therefore, the ADOT Aeronautics Group initiated the APPP, which allows the state to make the best use of its limited budget by funding those work types that have historically proven to provide the most benefit per dollar expended. The APPP is particularly important for smaller airports or those located in sparsely populated areas, which could not otherwise afford extensive maintenance efforts.

The ADOT Aeronautics Group is now able to proactively manage the pavement infrastructure at airports around the state with software that can help to identify pavement-related needs and develop prioritized lists of pavement-related projects.

In 2021, the North Dakota DOT (NDDOT) contracted with Applied Pavement Technology, Inc. (APTech) to update and implement its federally compliant risk-based transportation asset management plan. The plan documents NDDOT’s practices and planned investments for managing the agency’s over 17,400 lane-miles of pavement and more than 2,300 highway bridges from 2022 through 2031. NDDOT was looking for a firm that could help them streamline their Transportation Asset Management Plan (TAMP) and better connect it to its family of plans while identifying opportunities to improve asset management and capital programming processes. NDDOT is striving to develop an engaging and highly graphical TAMP that complies with Federal requirements in forty pages or less.

“NDDOT challenged us with creating a visually appealing TAMP that is less than half as long as most TAMPs. This caused us to rethink how the TAMP is organized and how required information is presented.”

— Brad Allen, P.E. • Project Manager

APTech is leading all aspects of the TAMP development, including the documentation of existing asset management processes, financial planning, life cycle planning, and risk analysis. In developing the TAMP, APTech conducted an innovative gap analysis based on future scenarios established in the NDDOT long range statewide transportation plan, Transportation Connection. These scenarios, titled Urban Centers, Rural Renaissance, Smart and Connected, and Ghost Towns, identified possible economic futures for the state. APTech developed a gap analysis that forecasted pavement and bridge conditions under each of these scenarios and compared those to forecasts based on each alternate scenario. The results are presented in the TAMP with a 2-page infographic.

As part of the TAMP update, APTech is supporting NDDOT with internal and external stakeholder outreach to map current program development processes. This involves engagement with a broad group of internal and external stakeholders including local Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Division partners early in the TAMP development process. APTech facilitated a series of workshops and interviews with stakeholders to develop detailed process maps and identified risks and inefficiencies in current processes. Working with NDDOT Asset Management staff, APTech developed recommendations for improvements to existing business processes that led to more effective long-term investment decisions for the NDDOT. Following certification of the TAMP, APTech will work with NDDOT to implement selected improvements.

The project demonstrates the team’s ability to develop implementation guidance to support the successful transition to a risk-based, strategic approach to managing transportation assets that leverages available tools and technology. The North Dakota TAMP update does not involve services related to transportation performance management (TPM)

In 2019, APTech was awarded a contract to administer the Nevada Local Technical Assistance Program (NVLTAP). The objective of the NVLTAP is to advance local agency transportation programs and practices on a fixed, 4-year budget of $300K through training, technical assistance, technology transfer, and workforce development services.

As the program’s administrator, APTech’s responsibilities include assessing needs, identifying equitable and accessible solutions, providing technical assistance services, monitoring program progress, reporting to the NVLTAP Advisory Board, and maintaining relationships with NVLTAP stakeholders. Technical assistance services have included creating a pavement management spreadsheet tool, safety grant application support, PASER condition survey demonstrations, pavement inventory development, and local road safety plan consulting.

APTech provides NVLTAP in-person and virtual technical training to develop an effective, efficient, and innovating workforce. Training topics include pavements, bridges, workplace and traffic safety, environment, civil rights, and foundational skills. APTech schedules forty-four instructor-led courses in the NVLTAP catalog and regularly creates new courses in response to local agency needs. To manage this large course catalogue, APTech created a learning management system for participants to register for courses, complete additional self-paced courses, and track their course completion and progress towards a Road Scholar Program completion.

APTech worked with the Nevada LTAP Advisory Board to plan, promote and hold the first Nevada Asphalt Conference on February 15-16, 2023. The conference exceeded expectations and connected 183 attendees with thirteen exhibitors and expertise from across the region.

In 2021, APTech was awarded a 5-year contract with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Division of Aeronautics to provide updates to Colorado’s statewide Airport Pavement Management System (APMS), continuing a relationship with the Division that extends back to 1996.

This update will allow stakeholders, including the CDOT Division of Aeronautics, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and individual airports, to make informed decisions on where and how to direct funds for the State’s airport pavement assets. To achieve this goal, APTech is evaluating the current pavement conditions by performing Pavement Condition Index (PCI) inspections. The data collected from these evaluations are then utilized to update the state’s PAVER database and develop pavement performance models.

The data are also used to generate recommendations for pavement maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R), which CDOT uses along with future pavement performance predictions to prepare and evaluate capital improvement plans for each airport. The collected data and analysis results of each year’s APMS update are easily accessible through the web-based interactive pavement management tool, IDEA.

A key to the success of this long-term relationship is the partnership between APTech and the CDOT Division of Aeronautics. A team consisting of an APTech engineer and CDOT Division of Aeronautics staff members perform PCI evaluations at one-third of the sixty-two airports each year. The CDOT Division of Aeronautics facilitates the process by obtaining information pertaining to pavement maintenance, rehabilitation, and construction at the project airports and assisting with the development of unit costs for use in the M&R analysis.

Through this partnership, APTech provides CDOT first-hand knowledge of airport pavement conditions, and in turn, APTech receives accurate construction records and costs to update the APMS’s PAVER database and IDEA.

The City of Champaign, IL sought professional engineering services related to pavement management for multiple inspection cycles, starting in 2021 and running through 2028. APTech is supporting the City with several pavement management services, including:

Updating pavement condition data collection for local, collector, and arterial streets

Updating the PAVER database

Providing updates to APTech’s web-based pavement management tool, IDEA

Providing the City with comprehensive reports

Conducting any special studies as defined by the City, such as:

Evaluation of brick streets

Evaluation of premature failures

Evaluation of selected roadways for consideration of suitable repair options

Through this work, APTech has supported pavement management needs for the City since 2014. Reports are generated on an as needed basis to respond to needs such as City Council presentations. APTech’s IDEA tool has provided the City with a web-based visualization tool for their pavement management data, making it much more accessible. 

APTech was selected to develop the initial 2018 Transportation Asset Management Plan (TAMP) for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). In 2021, KYTC modified its contract so that APTech could further assist with the development of the agency’s 2022 TAMP update. These TAMPs are required by the Federal Highway Administration and must be updated at least every four years.

Both TAMPs documented the Cabinet’s practices for managing the state-maintained pavements and bridges. Through the process of developing the TAMPs, APTech assisted the KYTC with the development of 10-year financial plans and investment strategies that considered both risks and life cycle plan (LCP) strategies. The 2022 TAMP update incorporated KYTC’s efforts to build a resilient transportation system into its investment strategies.

The KYTC TAMP reflects the agency’s strong commitment to optimized preservation strategies that keep assets in Good condition while those in Fair condition are either improved or preserved so they do not drop into a Poor condition. While this investment strategy makes the most of available funding, the KYTC TAMP demonstrates the need for additional funding to achieve its desired state of good repair. Each TAMP serves as effective communication tool by documenting the level of funding needed and forecasting expected condition gaps if the additional funding is not obtained.

To support the implementation of asset management throughout the Cabinet, APTech provided a roadmap that outlined suggested technical, organizational, workforce development, and policy initiatives in 2018. The APTech team also facilitated a workshop for executive leadership to promote a sustainable, asset management program.

The Client's Goal

Determine if the current pavement management system will continue to meet the City's growing needs and identify ways to increase the use of pavement preservation in the City's program.

Our Work

Evaluated the current pavement management system

Provided recommendations for potential areas of improvement

Evaluated treatment strategies and the pavement management program

Prepared recommendations for annual program planning

Developed project schedule and funding scenarios

Researched treatments used by agencies in the Phoenix area

Helped develop specifications for the City

Assisted with incorporating pavement preservation strategies

Assisted developing budget needs for their program

The Outcome

Through our efforts and focused attention in this area the City of Goodyear found opportunities to improve pavement management practices and develop work plan recommendations. This allowed them to achieve their goals more efficiently. They were able to project network condition under different funding scenarios, which allowed Goodyear's decision-makers to weigh alternatives and make appropriate investment decisions to achieve performance goals. Bolstered by our recommendations, the Public Works department requested and received a funding increase of 30 percent from the City Council for its roads program.

 The Client's Goal

Develop and calibrate initial performance models for Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities' (DOT & PF) pavement management system (PMS) so the agency can predict performance and funding needs with greater confidence.

 Our Work

Reviewed existing pavement condition data.

Organized condition data into databases linked with pavement management road segments for more accurate modeling.

Assisted the agency with defining representative pavement families and included this information in the condition databases for modeling analyses.

Worked with the PMS vendor to define reasonable and appropriate pavement families and generate performance models for rutting, longitudinal profile (IRI), and cracking that were coded into the PMS.

Coordinated with the PMS software vendor to ensure compatibility between the software, the pavement families, and the performance models.

Documented efforts in a comprehensive project report.

The Outcome

Due to APTech’s efforts, the Alaska DOT&PF was able to use historic condition data and recent cracking data to develop performance models in its new statewide PMS.  Now the agency can generate reasonable projections of performance and better estimates of maintenance and repair work needs.

In 2019, the City of Miami decided to move toward a more data-driven, informed decision making process for their transportation asset needs. Rather than planning reactively, the City sought an enterprise-wide asset management system that would support cross-asset class decision making. APTech was part of a team that collaborated closely with the City to successfully deliver all aspects of this work, including collecting inventory and condition information for a wide range of transportation assets and implementing an asset management system that would allow the City to manage their assets effectively.

As part of this effort, APTech completed the automated data collection for about 700 centerline miles of City streets and assisted the City with development of pavement family definitions, along with the development of treatment protocols and performance models for each defined pavement family. APTech performed multiple budget scenario analyses using Scenario Builder and supported agency training for updates to treatment protocols and use of Scenario Builder to perform PMS analyses. In response to requests from the City, APTech also provided guidance on future updates and pavement management planning needs.

As a result of this work, the City of Miami is now able to estimate work needs and network conditions into the future, provide information to decision makers about the impact of budget adjustments, and improve their maintenance and preservation practices to make more effective use of limited resources.