| Current pavement design methodology based on the AASHTO Design Guide uses an empirical approach based on the results of the AASHO Road Test conducted in 1958. To address some of the limitations of the original design guide, AASHTO developed a new guide: Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG). This new guide combines the mechanistic and empirical methodology by making use of calculations of pavement responses such as stress, strains, and deformations using site specific inputs from climate, material and traffic properties. With the new guide, various implementation challenges need to be overcome by agencies wanting to facilitate its use. In this respect, the MEPDG is currently undergoing several validation and calibration research studies. These research studies are being conducted in the areas of materials, climate and traffic characteristics. It is anticipated that the findings from the various research studies will facilitate the implementaion of the MEPDG nationwide.;This research study summarizes the challenges that are likely to impede implementation efforts of the MEPDG within the Northwest Region and how these can be overcome. This study also investigates the effects of climate variables on the predicted pavement performance indicators. In addition, the study evaluates the adequacy of using interpolated climate data on pavement performance in the state of Wyoming. |
