Analysis

The Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) Data Analysis Program takes the raw data collected from the program's more than 2,500 pavement test sections and converts these into useable information. The program addresses a broad array of topics—from field validation of pavement design procedures, to studies of variability in traffic and materials data, and to the investigation of the development of pavement roughness. Some analysis findings have led to the development of products, such as Rigid Pavement Design software and LTPPBind. All analysis findings, however, provide valuable insight and direction to guide future LTPP data collection and analysis efforts.

Since 1999, the national level analysis of the LTPP data has been guided by the “Strategic Plan for Long-Term Pavement Performance Data Analysis.” The Strategic Plan was developed by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Expert Task Group on LTPP Data Analysis, recommended by the TRB LTPP Committee and adopted by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as the basis for selecting LTPP analysis projects and evaluating progress in LTPP data analysis. The plan sets forth strategic objectives supporting the goal "to develop knowledge, relationships, and models to facilitate improved pavement design and reliable performance predictions." Each strategic objective, in turn, is supported by several more focused "product objectives," which are color-coded to represent criticality and numbered to indicate sequencing. View the original Strategic Plan in PDF format.

The Expanded Strategic Plan, which is an up-to-date version of the Strategic Plan, shows ongoing, completed, and anticipated near-term LTPP data analysis projects, as well as closely related National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) projects.

More information on the LTPP's Data Analysis Program and key findings from analyses to date is available from “LTPP Analysis: Putting the Data to Work,” “Key Findings From LTPP Analysis, 1990–1999,” “Key Findings from LTPP Analysis, 2000–2003”, “Long-Term Pavement Performance Program Highlights: Accomplishments and Benefits 1989–2009,” and  “Summary of Key Benefits, 1989-2015.”.