Rating Roads

[Obsidian]

I am trying to compile a list of things that makes a road good or bad. I want to know for each item what the worst and best cases are. Once I compile this, I am planning on making a system the can track roads... and of course I will give VCA members access to it.

One example of what I am looking for would be:

1. Smoothness of Pavement (worst - frequent potholes/disrepair and best - freshly paved / smooth)

What are your ideas for what makes roads great and makes roads not-so-great?

[SoCal Rebell]

One thing I do know, roads in NJ suck

[Obsidian]

Originally Posted by SoCal Rebell

One thing I do know, roads in NJ suck

True dat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jim Wilson]

Originally Posted by Obsidian

I am trying to compile a list of things that makes a road good or bad. I want to know for each item what the worst and best cases are. Once I compile this, I am planning on making a system the can track roads... and of course I will give VCA members access to it.

One example of what I am looking for would be:

1. Smoothness of Pavement (worst - frequent potholes/disrepair and best - freshly paved / smooth)

What are your ideas for what makes roads great and makes roads not-so-great?

I work with pavement designers and the pavement management section for the AZ dot. I'll pose your question to them and pass on the info.

Here is AZ we have a database with all of the interstate and state roadways inventoried and rated in order to prioritize pavement preservation projects (such as mill and replace, overlay, chipseal etc.)

We have a photo log that is updated every year of all the roadways. The photos are taken at 50' intervals and track the mileposts so you can virtually travel any roadway on your PC. There is a speed bar on the left of the screen so you can vary your speed from 25 mph to 200 mph!!! When I get bored, I'll find a nice twisty road and haul ass!!!

[Kai SRT10]

Tons of bicycles riding 4 abreast can ruin just about any road. That's the biggest problem with most of the good mountain roads near Boulder (Colorado.)

[Andrew/USPWR]

They've been widening I95 down here in FL for years and one thing that pisssss me off is that when they do finish a sections, it’s not even smooth. All this time and money to do a half a$$ job. WTH

There are some nice roads going through Brevard NC as long as there’s no traffic. Or cyclist.

[Jim Wilson]

Obsidian, try this link and send an email to one of the folks on the contact list.......

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/index.cfm

All states are required to submit information regarding the condition of their roadways to the FHWA. There is likely a national database that has all the information that you are looking for.

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[Obsidian]

Jim,

Thank you VERY VERY much!!!!

- Mike

[Obsidian]

Jim,

Is that photo-log system, where you can virtually travel a road accessible to the public?

[Jim Wilson]

Originally Posted by Obsidian

Jim,

Is that photo-log system, where you can virtually travel a road accessible to the public?

Nope, unfortunately it's only available on our Intranet.