Conditions and Performance Chapter Listing

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Introduction

Summary

Road Conditions

Bridge Conditions

Transit System Conditions

Rural and Urban Pavement Conditions

Exhibit 3-5

Rural & Urban Pavement Conditions, 1997

Source: June 1999 HPMS.

Exhibit 3-6

Poor Pavement - Percent Miles, 1993-1997

Source: June 1999 HPMS.

When discussing pavement conditions, it is important to note the different travel characteristics between rural and urban areas. As mentioned in Chapter 2, rural areas contain 78.7 percent of road miles, but only 39.1 percent of annual VMT. In other words, although rural areas have a larger percentage of road miles, the majority of travel is occurring in the urban areas. According to 1997 data, pavement conditions in rural areas are slightly better than in urban areas. Only 5.5 percent of road miles in rural areas are rated "poor," while 9.3 percent of road miles in urban areas are rated "poor." Rural areas also have a larger percentage of "very good" and "good" roads. [See Exhibit 3-5]. When evaluating these percentages, please note that rural minor collectors and local functional system mileage are not included.

Pavement conditions in both rural and urban areas have generally been improving over time. Since 1993, the percentage of road miles in poor condition has decreased from 8.0 percent to 5.5 percent in rural areas and from 10.5 percent to 9.3 percent in urban areas. However, since 1995, the percent of urban miles in poor condition has increased. [See Exhibit 3-6].