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PASER Evaluation <br />Evaluating <br />condition <br />visually <br />The key to using the PASER program is in assessing the condition of <br />each road section consistently and at regular intervals. Once you <br />have some relative measure for the overall condition of each local <br />road section, you can: <br />• select appropriate treatments for each section, <br />• evaluate road sections competing for immediate attention, <br />• anticipate future deterioration and apply inexpensive maintenance <br />options while they are still feasible, and <br />• justify budgets for roadway improvements that are adequate to <br />keep the roads in good condition so they will remain less expen- <br />sive over the long term. <br />Pavement surface evaluation is an appropriate tool for smaller gov- <br />ernmental units, yet it can be used on any size road system. It can be <br />implemented inexpensively using existing staff, and can provide a <br />wealth of valuable information at a very reasonable cost. <br />Its best use is for planning because it gives a picture of road condi- <br />tions on all roads and can identify candidates for maintenance and <br />rehabilitation. When you actually select and design specific projects <br />you may need additional data. Structural (deflection) testing can be <br />very useful, for example, in designing the best overlay or reconstruc- <br />tion method. You can use pavement ride, skid resistance and other <br />safety considerations when selecting final priorities and types of im- <br />provement. <br />Using visual inspection to develop a condition rating expands on the <br />procedure many local agencies use already. Highway staff and <br />elected officials periodically review the condition of the road system <br />to set priorities and budgets. The PASER system described in this <br />bulletin simply formalizes this procedure to improve consistency from <br />year to year and between individuals. It results in a system that im- <br />proves the credibility of recommendations to the public and allows for <br />better planning and decision making. There are many pavement con- <br />dition evaluation systems in use today. This system builds on a pro- <br />cedure developed for Wisconsin and contains elements of many <br />other systems. <br />Page 35 <br />