Suggested Citation:
Shan, Sifang, Jamey Volker, John T. Harvey (2017) NCST White Paper: Local Government Pavement Research, Development, and Implementation Organization in Several States. Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, Research Report UCD-ITS-RR-17-39

City and county governments bear responsibility for 80 percent of the roadway pavement lane- miles in California, which carry 45 percent of the vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the state. California’s local governments face a growing backlog of projects and need new approaches to reduce the costs of pavement preservation, maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction while also minimizing environmental impacts. The majority of federal and state investments in pavement-related research, development, and implementation is focused on the problems and capabilities of state departments of transportation (DOTs), as is much of the national effort to provide professional outreach and training in pavement technology. Some of the information and new technologies supported by state and federal investment are very relevant to local governments, though this information is not making its way to cities and counties in a form they can easily adapt and use. Currently, California does not have a well-organized systematic approach for delivering technical content to local governments. Fortunately, several other states do and California can leverage and learn from the experience of those states to develop a systematic approach of its own.

This white paper presents the results of a survey administered by the University of California Pavement Research Center (UCPRC) exploring the successes, challenges, funding, and organizational structure of six centers in other states that share a similar mission to support the improvement of city and county pavement practices. Five of the six centers that participated in the survey are statewide centers located in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio and Texas. The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (RTC), the sixth center, is a regional center located in Nevada. These centers were selected as being the nation’s most advanced based on an extensive internet search and discussions with key pavement professionals across the country.