This synthesis will be of interest to construction engineers, pavement designers, contractors, and others interested in construction of new highway pavements with smooth surfaces. Information is provided on the various devices and specifications that are being used to obtain smooth pavements. The public rates a pavement primarily on its smooth-riding characteristics and highway agencies recognize that constructing smooth pavements results in fewer problems later and lower annual maintenance costs. This report of the Transportation Research Board describes the devices and specifications highway agencies use to ensure that newly constructed pavements will provide a smooth ride.

The quality of smoothness of a newly constructed or overlaid pavement dictates the beginning of pavement management. Adequate acceptance testing procedures and specifications for pavement smoothness have not been available for flexible pavements. Smoothness specifications based on a 10-ft (3.05 m) straightedge has a number of limitations and is difficult to interpret and administer. This paper describes the results of a comprehensive study of several different roughness measuring devices undertaken to select a suitable device in order to develop and implement improved specifications for pavement smoothness. The candidate devices included the 690D Profilometer, Model 8300 Roughness Surveyor, Maysmeter, California Profilograph, and Rainhart Profilograph.

"This new ASTM publication presents the latest information on the practical and developmental aspects of pavement surface evaluation procedures and technologies, including their reliability and relevancy. Seven peer-reviewed papers cover: * Pavement surface characteristics measurement procedures and equipment * Approaches to enhance the reliability and accuracy of pavement surface evaluation systems * Approaches to harmonization between different measurement devices for specific pavement surface condition indicators * Assessment of current pavement condition indicators and their relevancy level for use in asset management * Assessment of factors influencing the interaction of tire/pavement surface characteristics * Assessment of automated distress survey systems * Evaluation of new/promising technologies for pavement condition surveys."--Publisher's website.