TAKING PAGES OUT OF THE KDOT PLAYBOOK

For the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), building smooth concrete pavements is a way of life. Since introducing new smoothness specifications 15 years ago, the state has gained national recognition for its advanced techniques and construction practices. A description of these best practices can be found in a new video, "Smoother Roads Playbook," jointly produced by KDOT and the Federal Highway Administration. The video outlines how the state's smoothness specifications have been bolstered by an incentives program that compensates contractors for their extra efforts. The most important best practice contractors follow to achieve their goal of building smoother pavements is making sure that the stringline, which is the primary guidance system for most paving equipment, is set precisely and protected from damage during paving. Another practice is to maintain a consistent paving speed and avoid slowing or stopping the paver. Building smoother pavements also depends upon the use of good equipment that can accurately monitor pavement conditions, such as the new sophisticated pavers and trimmers. To monitor construction quality once the pavement is in place, Kansas uses a California-type profilograph and a zero-blanking band to measure pavement smoothness.