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Section 2: District Pavement Engineer’s Role

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History

The district pavement engineer (DPE) is a licensed professional engineer who serves as the district point of contact for the evaluation, preservation, and structural design of pavements. This position was formalized by the department in 1993 as a district-level staff position.

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Responsibilities

The DPE is responsible for:

  • producing cost-effective district structural pavement designs
  • recommending pavement preservation policies to maximize the condition of district pavements within budget constraints
  • identifying pavement related research needs, and
  • participating in technology transfer and pavement related training activities (refer to "Job Functions for the District Pavement Engineer").

The DPE is charged with being the district expert on all matters pertaining to:

  • the evaluation of functional and structural aspects of existing pavements
  • traffic loading characteristics
  • prevailing geologic conditions within the district
  • suitability of proposed materials (new and recycled), and
  • use of structural design software.

In addition, the DPE serves as the district expert in differentiating when preventative maintenance options are more pertinent than structural rehabilitation options.

The DPE will often direct the activities of the district’s pavement data collection efforts (visual distress, rut/ride, deflection surveys). These data collection efforts are integral to maintaining the network level Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) and to evaluating project level structural properties.

Because of the importance of understanding material properties and evaluation of materials used in pavements, the position of DPE has been consolidated under the district lab engineer in several districts.

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District Pavement Engineer (DPE) Certification

Certification of a newly appointed DPE is required prior to receiving approval authority for pavement design. When certified, the DPE is authorized to approve pavement designs for the district engineer. All pavement designs generated within the district must be forwarded to the DPE for approval.

The DPE certification process entails attending certain training sessions and working in the position for a minimum of six months upon conclusion of the required training. The following table summarizes requirements:

Table 2-1: Recommended and Required Training for the District Pavement Engineer

Training

Category

Comment

MODULUS

Flexible Structure Evaluation

Designed as a seminar and is combined with FPS-19W training. Combined training is usually arranged by district request to CST-M&P. Hands-on approach used to emphasize evaluation techniques, capabilities, and limitations of the software. A 2 1/2-day period should be scheduled.

Required for certification.

FPS-19W

Flexible Structural Design

As above.

Required for certification.

Visual Distress Rater’s Course

CON 110

CON 111

Identification of visual distress:

  • concrete distress
  • flexible distress.

Course will be retained at least through Summer 2006.

Goals are:

  • understand the Texas Reference Marker System and know how it is used to identify and locate PMIS section in the field;
  • read a PMIS section list and automated rating form to identify the sections;
  • complete an automated rating form;
  • identify the distresses rated for concrete (CON 110) or flexible (CON 111) pavements;
  • conduct visual distress ratings for PMIS.

PMIS Concepts for Administrators CON107

PMIS

The goals are:

  • identify the types of pavement evaluation data available in PMIS;
  • describe the differences between network-level and project-level pavement management, and explain how PMIS can be used to support both;
  • interpret PMIS data and scores;
  • use PMIS to monitor pavement condition, estimate total pavement needs, and assess the overall level of service provided by pavement maintenance.

Course material required for certification can be found on the Pavement Management Information System webpage*.

Required for certification.

PMIS Data Interpretation and Analysis CON109

PMIS

The goals are:

  • use PMIS data to diagnose surface and sub-surface pavement problems;
  • define and interpret the five PMIS scores;
  • produce three PMIS analysis reports.

The course material description can be found on the Pavement Management Information System webpage*.

MapZapper Familiarization*

PMIS

GIS-based software that allows the user to plot various pavement condition indicators on district maps. Formal training is available on request. Self-study instructional material may be found at: http://crossroads/org/cst/docs/MapZapperVer3400.pdf

Ride Quality Software

PMIS

Software available at http://www.dot.state.tx.us/services/information_systems/engineering_software.htm. The DPE may receive guidance on how to use the Ride Quality evaluation software by contacting the Pavement & Material Systems branch, CST-M&P.

TSLAB86, DARWin™ 3.1

Rigid Structural Design

Designed as a seminar. Required for certification for all DPEs in districts where rigid pavement is routinely used.

2, 5, or 6-week Materials Course

Materials Properties

National Highway Institute (NHI) sponsored courses addressing fundamental properties and testing of highway materials.

Selecting Rehabilitation Strategies for Flexible Pavements

Rehab of existing pavements

There are two options:

  • Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) administered course taught through an interagency contract (IAC). This course is hands-on oriented – uses department software.
  • NHI course. This course is more oriented at the planning level.

*Available through the TxDOT intranet only.



CST-M&P is the certifying authority and will maintain a list of currently certified DPEs. Districts that do not have a certified DPE must submit all pavement design reports to the director of CST-M&P for approval according to Pavement Design Reports. .

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