3.2 Responsibilities
The DPE is responsible for:
- producing cost-effective district structural pavement designs and reviewing district pavement design reports for technical content
- recommending pavement preservation policies to maximize the condition of district pavements within budget constraints
- identifying pavement-related research needs, and
- participating in technology transfer and pavement- related training activities (refer to "Job Functions for the District Pavement Engineer").
The DPE is charged with being the district expert on all matters pertaining to:
- the evaluation of functional and structural aspects of existing pavements
- traffic loading characteristics
- prevailing geologic/soils conditions within the district
- suitability of proposed materials (new and recycled), and
- use of structural evaluation and design software.
The DPE may be asked to direct the activities of the district’s pavement data collection efforts (visual distress, rut/ride, deflection surveys). These data collection efforts are integral to maintaining the network-level Pavement Management Information System (PA) and in evaluating project-level structural properties.
Because of the importance of understanding material properties and evaluation of materials used in pavements, some districts have assigned DPE duties to the district lab/materials engineer.
An expanded list of DPE responsibilities is shown below.
JOB FUNCTIONS FOR DISTRICT PAVEMENT ENGINEER |
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I. Produce cost effective project level designs for new, rehabilitated, and reconstructed pavements based on best practices and life-cycle cost analysis.
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II. Recommend pavement preservation policies to maximize condition of the system within District budget constraints.
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III. Identify pavement related research needs.
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IV. Participate in Technology Transfer and Training Activities.
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