3.3 District Pavement Engineer (DPE) Skills

A list of required and recommended training courses is given in Table 2-1. To develop the final pavement thickness design, courses have been identified to provide the basic skills necessary for engineers to understand the design process and complete viable, cost conscious pavement design.
The DPE or other district staff may develop a design; however, it is suggested that the DPE and other key district staff review pavement design inputs, material requirements, strategies, and thickness prior to the final PS&E submission (e.g., Pavement Design Concept Conference).
Newly assigned DPEs are encouraged to schedule attendance of the required training sessions for flexible and rigid pavement design as soon as practical.
Table 2-1: Required and Recommended Training for the District Pavement Engineer
Training
Category
Comment
MODULUS
Flexible Structure Evaluation
Designed as a workshop and is combined with FPS 21 training. Combined training is usually arranged at district request to MNT – Pavement Asset Management. Hands-on approach used to emphasize evaluation techniques, capabilities, and limitations of the software. A 2 1/2-day period should be scheduled.
Required for flexible pavement design.
FPS 21
Flexible Structural Design
As above.
Required for flexible pavement design.
Visual Distress Rater’s Course
CON110
CON111
Identification of visual distress:
  • concrete distress
  • flexible distress
The goals are:
  • understand the Texas Reference Marker System and know how it is used to identify and locate PMIS (PA) section in the field
  • read a PMIS (PA) section list and automated rating form to identify the sections
  • complete an automated rating form
  • identify the distresses rated for concrete (CON 110) or flexible (CON 111) pavements
  • conduct visual distress ratings for PMIS (PA). Contact the Maintenance Division, Pavement Asset Preservation Section for assistance.
PMIS Concepts for Administrators CON107
New PMIS (PA)
The goals are:
  • identify the types of pavement evaluation data available in the new PMIS (PA)
  • describe the differences between network-level and project-level pavement management, and explain how PMIS can be used to support both
  • interpret PMIS (PA) data and scores
  • use new PMIS (PA) program to monitor pavement condition, estimate total pavement needs, and assess the overall level of service provided by pavement maintenance.
*Course material required for certification can be found on the webpage.
PMIS Data Interpretation and Analysis CON109
New PMIS (PA)
The goals are:
  • use PMIS (PA) data to diagnose surface and sub-surface pavement problems
  • define and interpret the five PMIS (PA) scores
  • produce three PMIS (PA) analysis reports.
*Course material description can be found on the webpage.
Pavement Analyst (PA)
New PMIS (PA)
Web-based software that allows the user to plot various pavement condition indicators on district maps. Formal training is available on request.
Ride Quality Software
Pavement Evaluation – Roughness (IRI)
Software available at The DPE may receive guidance on how to use the Ride Quality evaluation software by contacting the Maintenance Division, Pavement Asset Preservation Section.
TxCRCP-ME, DARWin® 3.1
Rigid Structural Design
Designed as a workshop. Contact MNT – Pavement Asset Management, Pavement Analysis and Design Branch.
Required for rigid pavement design
.
Materials Course
Materials Properties
National Highway Institute (NHI) sponsored web-based course addressing fundamental properties and testing of highway materials (NHI 131117).
TxDOT Materials Academy
Materials properties
Five-week web-based and classroom course. Contact MNT – Pavement Asset Management Section for more information.
Selecting Rehabilitation Strategies for Flexible Pavements
Rehab of existing pavements
Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) administered course taught through an interagency contract (IAC). This course is hands-on oriented – uses department software. Contact MNT – Pavement Asset Management, Pavement Analysis and Design Branch for more information or refer to Crossroads, Maintenance Division, link to download the course.
Selecting Rehabilitation Strategies for Concrete Pavements
Rehab of existing pavements
Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) administered course taught through an interagency contract (IAC). This course is hands-on oriented – uses department software. Contact MNT – Pavement Asset Management, Pavement Analysis and Design Branch for more information or refer to Crossroads, Maintenance Division, link to download the course.
Other NHI Web-based Opportunities
Multiple (pavement preservation, maintenance, recycling, pavement materials, etc.)
Frequently updated; most courses are free after setting up an account:
*Available through the TxDOT Intranet only.
New PMIS (PA) program and pavement design assistance from MNT – Pavement Asset Management will be provided upon request.
The DPE list is also posted on the Maintenance Division website, link.