RIDE QUALITY (Overall Condition)

Note: Average operating speed is the speed at which most drivers would travel a section of road with the current alignment and normal weather conditions.

Average: Pavement texture may cause minimum tire noise; isolated cases (up to 1/4 of the section ) of bumps and dips; operating speed can be maintained safely.

Slightly Rough: 1/4 to 1/2 of the section is uneven and bumpy with dips, rises, and ruts; pavement may be broken and cracked with a resulting increase in tire noise; slight difficulty in maintaining operating speed over section.

Rough:Greater than 1/2 of section is uneven and bumpy; rider is frequently jostled; rather large and frequent pavement failures and rough texture may be present causing a high increase in tire noise and jolts; operating speed cannot be maintained safely.

Description: Riding quality is what the general public perceives as the indicator of how well a road is holding up. Edge rutting, patching and localized dips significantly contribute to how the rater should look at ride quality.

Ride quality is not to take into account rolling or mountainous terrain nor curved alignment. These conditions would exist no matter if the pavement was smooth or rough.

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