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
I. Produce cost effective project level designs for new, rehabilitated, and reconstructed pavements based on best practices and life-cycle cost analysis.
  1. Perform detailed investigations, data collection, and analysis including
    • Pavement distress
    • Structural integrity (deflections)
    • Roughness
    • Geology
    • Subgrade Classification
    • Confirmation of Percent Trucks in the Traffic Stream
    • Vehicle/Axle Load Characteristics
    • Vehicle Configurations
    • Availability and suitability of local materials
    • Availability and suitability of recycled materials
    • Determine available and/or needed funding
    • Identify alternative designs
    • Define selection criteria/objectives
    • Perform life-cycle costs on alternatives
    • Select most cost effective alternative which meets criteria/objectives
  2. Produce typical section and detailed pavement design report
  3. Maintain/update the District Pavement SOP by
    September 1st annually
  4. Schedule and Participate in District Pavement Design Concept conferences
II. Recommend pavement preservation policies to maximize condition of the system within District budget constraints.
  1. Produce annual report on existing condition of highway system within the District
  2. Produce four year budget projection/needs for pavement preservation projects
  3. Perform analyses on effect of changes in funding, vehicle weights, axle configurations, suspension types, tire pressures, environmental conditions, legislative mandates, and preservation policies on the highway system, etc.
  4. Assist and provide direct input into the development of the District Project Development Plan (PDP)
  5. Evaluate effect of current and proposed rehabilitation and maintenance practices, new materials and materials testing specifications, and new construction processes, etc.
III. Identify pavement related research needs.
  1. Identify pavement problem areas needing research
  2. Submit annual research problem statements
  3. Participate in research problem statement ranking process
  4. Support statewide pavement related research projects by serving as Technical Chairman or Technical Panel Member when requested
  5. Review research projects and reports and assist in implementation of products
  6. Participate in research meetings
IV. Participate in Technology Transfer and Training Activities.
  1. Participate in annual Short Course Pavement sessions
  2. Assist in departmental training in pavements