Publication Number: FHWA-SA-98-028
Date: December 1998

Email Discussion Group Keeps LTPP Data Users in Touch and Up to Date

Engineers and researchers throughout North America and in several other countries are using data from the thousands of long-term pavement performance (LTPP) experiment sites to improve the duy prability of asphalt and portland cement concrete pavements. To make it easy for them to share information and learn from each other's experiences, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has established the LTPP ListServ in cooperation with the University of Mississippi. The email-based discussion group provides subscribers with an easy way to post and reply to questions about LTPP data and the DataPave software (see sidebar).

For example, the ListServ could be used to disseminate progress reports on LTPP-related research projects or to ask for help on features in the DataPave software. FHWA and its contractors could also use the List Serv to disseminate new or revised LTPP data and updates on the DataPave software.

Many people can benefit from using the LTPP ListServ, says FHWA's Kurt Dunn. "The ListServ provides instant worldwide communication and information to the DataPave users, the LTPP community at large, FHWA staff, LTPP contractors, participants in the data analysis contest sponsored by FHWA and the American Society of Civil Engineers, and others," he says. There is no cost to subscribe-all you need is an email address.

Once you subscribe to the LTPP ListServ (see sidebar), the service works just like email. Whenever you have a question or comment, just send an email message to the ListServ, which automatically forwards your message to all other subscribers. As a subscriber you automatically receive all messages posted by others.

The service is new and people just now are becoming aware of it. "Although subscribers to the LTPP ListServ are now sending few messages, the number of messages will soon increase" says Dunn." The ListServ is still in its early stage. Many people are not fully aware of its potential capabilities. After the DataPave workshops are completed and the international data analysis contest is in full swing, we expect more traffic."

The LTPP ListServ is run by the civil engineering department of the University of Mississippi, under a contract with FHWA.

For more information, contact Kurt Dunn at FHWA (phone: 816-276-2734; fax: 816-363-3347; email: kurt.dunn@fhwa.dot.gov). Any queries related to the LTPP ListServ operations can be directed to Waheed Uddin at the University of Mississippi (email: cvuddin@olemiss.edu). Information is also available from FHWA's DataPave Web site (datapave.fhwa.dot.gov/list.htm).

How To Subscribe To And Use The LTPP ListServ

Subscribing to the LTPP ListServ just takes a few minutes. Simply send an email message to listserv@listserv.mcsr.olemiss.edu. Do not put anything in the subject line. In the message, put SUBSCRIBE LTPP-L and your first and last name.

To post a message, email it to LTPP-L@listserv.mcsr.olemiss.edu. The subject line should describe the topic of your message.

For information on the ListServ and how to use it, send an email message to listproc@listserv.mcsr.olemiss.edu with the word HELP in the message.

To unsubscribe, send an email message to listserv@listserv.mcsr.olemiss.edu. Do not include anything in the subject line. In the message, put UNSUBSCRIBE LTPP-L.

What Is DataPave?

The DataPave software provides pavement researchers and engineers with user-friendly tools to explore the data collected as part of the long-term pavement performance (LTPP) program. For example, you can view location, traffic, and other information on all LTPP experiment sites involving portland cement concrete pavements. You can then call up charts comparing how the sites performed according to seven major types of pavement distress.

To help users learn how to take advantage of the DataPave software, FHWA is holding a series of workshops on the program. In addition, FHWA and the American Society of Civil Engineers are sponsoring a contest for undergraduate and graduate students who conduct research projects using the LTPP data.

For more information, or to request a copy of DataPave, contact Kurt Dunn at FHWA (phone: 816-276-2734; fax: 816-363-3347; email: kurt.dunn@fhwa.dot.gov) or John Donahue at FHWA (phone: 573-636-7104; fax: 573-636-9283; email: john.donahue@fhwa.dot.gov). Information is also available from FHWA's DataPave Web site (datapave.fhwa.dot.gov).

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