Talking Michigan Transportation Predicting how long a road will last
May 22, 2025
Tim Lemon, a trunkline pavement strategy specialist at the Michigan Department of Transportation, dives into the complexities of road maintenance. He explains the concept of remaining service life (RSL), a critical measure for predicting pavement durability. Tim highlights how trunklines are vital for traffic flow, carrying a significant portion of Michigan's traffic despite accounting for fewer road miles. He also discusses innovative assessment techniques for pavement conditions and the financial challenges posed by rising inflation on road maintenance.
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Understanding Remaining Service Life
- MDOT uses a metric called Remaining Service Life (RSL) to forecast when pavement needs investment.
- RSL predicts the years a road remains functional before falling into poor condition.
Trunk Lines Bear Heavy Traffic
- Although trunk lines make up only 8% of Michigan's road miles, they carry over 50% of all traffic.
- They also carry more than 75% of commercial vehicle traffic, highlighting their importance.
On-the-Road Pavement Inspection
- Tim Lemon spent extensive time driving and visually inspecting pavements in various Michigan regions.
- Direct observation helps him understand pavement conditions alongside data analysis.