How To Get LTPP Data

Data collection and management are core functions of the FHWA-LTPP program. They are also a shared function between FHWA-LTPP and the States and Provinces. To coordinate these activities, LTPP maintains four regional offices: North Atlantic, North Central, Southern, and Western.

Standard Data Release

The Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) Program makes the world’s largest pavement performance database available annually to the public in Microsoft Access® format and available on DVD-ROM. The Standard Data Release (SDR) may be obtained through LTPP Customer Support Services at

E-mail: ltppinfo@dot.gov
Telephone: (202) 493-3035
Fax: (202) 493-3161

Perhaps one of the most useful documents contained here for beginners is the tutorial "Accessing LTPP Data," which includes step-by-step examples of working with the SDR in MS Access and building queries for data extraction. The first document to read is the "Release Notes," which comes in hardcopy and electronic format with the SDR. These notes contain important information about organization, content, and significant changes that have occurred from release to release.

A Reference Library DVD-ROM accompanies the Standard Data Release and gives the user the capability to search for software utilities, resource documents, and research reports that support the database.

Although we try to deliver the information required to use and understand the SDR, it can be daunting to navigate and extract the most relevant information from a database that has hundreds of tables, thousands of fields and millions of records! Therefore this Community of Practice site was established to provide a forum for SDR users to post questions and share their experience. When posting a question to the Highway Community Exchange, please indicate which version of the SDR you are using, i.e. SDR#20.

For information on other Highway Community Exchange topics, visit https://www.transportationresearch.gov/dot/fhwa/hcx/default.aspx.

DataPave Online

DataPave Online (available at www.ltpp-products.com) is the latest effort to expand access to the LTPP pavement performance data while providing a user-friendly graphical interface. The data provided in DataPave online is the same as that delivered with the new Standard Data Release, described above, however data updates on the website may lag somewhat behind the Standard Data Release as data is transferred between the two media. Questions pertaining to data should be forwarded to LTPP Customer Support Service Center at ltppinfo@dot.gov, while questions pertaining to the operation or performance of the website should be forwarded to Antonio Nieves Torres at FHWA, antonio.nieves@dot.gov.

Ancillary Data and Information

Some data is not stored in the pavement performance database and not included with the Standard Data Release, typically because of intensive storage memory requirements. Point-by-point road profile, FWD time-history waveforms, distress map data, and raw traffic data are a few examples. However, this data may still be requested through a custom data extraction. While requests may be filled free-of-cost, limitations will exist based on the level of effort required to fulfill the request. These requests are assessed case-by-case. To request ancillary data and information, please contact the LTPP Customer Support Service Center at ltppinfo@dot.gov, or by calling (202) 493-3035, or by faxing (202) 493-3161.

Customer Feedback

Customer Feedback can be submitted to LTPP Customer Support Service by using a Data Analysis/Operations Feedback Report, a mechanism used to report any problems or suspicions about the data. LTPP investigates the report, and investigation results are posted on the LTPP website at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/ltpp/feedback.cfm.

Customer Survey

In an effort to better serve our customers, we invite you to complete a brief questionnaire. Please take a few minutes to answer each question that applies to the service you received on your request(s) for customer support.