Pavement performance zone based on mechanistic-empirical design and temperature indices

This study aims to develop pavement performance zones specifically for flexible pavement design for the state of Michigan. Different from climate zones, pavement performance zones are regions with overall homogeneous pavement distresses, and they can make a more reliable guide for the pavement design in a region. Air temperature, pavement surface temperature, and pavement distress predicted from mechanistic-empirical design were utilized to create the pavement performance zones. In detail, these temperature indices include annual mean air temperature, mean air temperature in hot months, mean air temperature in cold months, annual mean surface temperature, mean surface temperature in cold seasons, and mean surface temperature in hot months. The most sensitive pavement distress predictions, thermal cracking and asphalt concrete rutting, were also utilized to create pavement performance zones. Fifteen climate zones were developed for Michigan taking account into the air and pavement surface temperature indices and the distress predictions.