Highway Specifications—Quality versus Pay

Abstract

This paper presents a case study that assesses three asphalt concrete paving specifications currently in use in various areas of the country. The primary question addressed is how specifications relate quality characteristics to payment for performance. The study indicates that there is little or no consistency with respect to what different highway agencies consider as quality and how quality is paid for through the use of payment factors. It is clear that the key to good specifications is research that identifies and quantifies the relationships that pay factor calculations are based upon. After settling on the quality characteristics, a major concern that must be addressed is determining what test method best represents the characteristic, and can these characteristics be determined at the time of construction. It is clear that there is considerable work still to be done in developing good specifications that ensure a quality product and are equitable to both the owner and contractor.