Welcome back to the AASHTOWare Pavement e-Newsletter!

We look forward to keeping you up to date on Pavement ME Design news. As always we want to hear from you. Please send your suggestions for newsletter content to Vicki Schofield, AASHTOWare Project Manager. Your article could end up in next quarter’s newsletter. 
Task Force Members

  • John Donahue, P.E., Missouri DOT, Chairperson
  • Patrick Bierl, P.E., Ohio DOT
  • Felix Doucet, Eng., Quebec MOT, TAC Liaison
  • David Holmgren, P.E. Utah DOT
  • Marta Juhasz, P.Eng., Alberta Transportation, Vice Chair
  • Clark Morrison, P.E., North Carolina DOT
  • Robert Shugart, P.E., Alabama DOT
  • Karen Strauss, P.E Oregon DOT
  • Travis Tackett, Florida DOT, T&AA Liaison
  • Tom Yu, P.E., FHWA Liaison
  • Vicki Schofield, AASHTO Project Manager
ARA Help Desk
Please send any questions or issues related to using the software to the ME Design website , contact the Help Desk Manager, Shobhit Mundra , or call 1-217-356-4500.  
Other ARA Staff:

ARA Co-Project Manager


Local Calibration Tool on Schedule!

Many agencies desire more detailed support to assist in the local calibration of the Pavement ME prediction models and transfer functions. As a result, a tool called “The Calibrator” is being developed and will be released in July 2019. This new tool will offer a semi-automated procedure for accomplishing the local calibration. We are currently working on finalizing database integration and optimization strategies for determining the most appropriate calibration coefficients. A functional demo of the Calibrator was shown at the 2018 Pavement ME User Group meeting in early November and we believe that this tool will help agencies decide whether or not to recalibrate.
Web-Based Technology Version Moving along!

 We are currently about 30% through the process of evolving the analysis modules for the web technology application. This process is critical for executing and maintaining the application in a web technology environment and removes the inherent analysis dependencies on the file system.
Service Units Available for Purchase and Use!

Service units are available for purchase, through AASHTO, for implementing and using the Pavement ME Design software package. For those state agencies interested in redeeming or purchasing service units, please contact AASHTO .
International Group Meeting Scheduled Prior to TRB Meeting

The second annual Pavement ME international workshop is scheduled for January 12th, 2019, in Washington, D.C. The goal of this one-day workshop is to provide international pavement engineers an opportunity to learn more about Pavement ME Design capabilities and how it can help them. Topics of discussion include: recent updates, climate data, and calibration, among others. The use of the MERRA climate data also makes Pavement ME Design feasible for use in international markets. We are excited to host this workshop and expect a good turnout!
Update on Top-Down Cracking

NCHRP project 1-52 for developing the methodology and software for top-down cracking was completed earlier this year. Integration of the model into Pavement ME Design has begun; however, some outstanding issues require resolution. The ARA team has been in contact with the Task Force regarding the issues and their impact on the schedule. The integration of the NCHRP 1-52 model into Pavement ME Design will be delayed until the following fiscal year. The Pavement ME Design team will continue to advise the users on the expected schedule integration completion date.
Future Software Needs and Enhancements

As a friendly reminder, the Pavement ME Design Task Force is continually improving the software and welcomes any suggestions from users. Suggestions will be reviewed and prioritized at each Pavement ME Design Task Force meeting. Please submit your suggestions to Vicki Schofield .  Feature ideas can be submitted through the Pavement ME Design website .
Beta Testers Needed for Calibration Tool!

One of the many benefits of being a user of AASHTOWare products is that agencies get the opportunity to sign up to test any upgrades or enhancements, using their current data, prior to release. Just like the Backcalculation Tool, we will need your help testing the Calibration tool. If your agency is interested in being one of the first to volunteer to use this new tool, please contact Wouter Brink or the ARA Help Desk .

AASHTOWare Pavement Engineering Discussion Forum
Don’t forget to check out the pavement engineering discussion forum ; a global community is ideal for civil engineers interested in discussion about pavement design.

The AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design Product Task Force (PMEDTF) provides broad oversight and direction for the support, maintenance and enhancement of the software. AASHTOWare maintains a balance of members from across the country to represent the diverse climate and soil conditions. For further information about the Pavement ME Design Product Task Force, please contact Vicki Schofield , Project Manager.

To all AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design users – Happy holidays and happy new year. It is going to be a great new year!