How Pavement Conditions Are Rated

Overview

The Eugene Public Works Department has kept close track of pavement conditions for more than 20 years. Every section of improved street is inspected on a regular basis, and the results are entered into a computerized pavement management system (PMS).

PMS data, which often is verified by detailed Engineering inspections, is used to schedule preventive maintenance, prioritize paving projects, and determine future costs, including the "backlog" of paving repair projects, currently estimated at more than $150 million.

Ratings

Each segment of improved street is assigned a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) rating. A street with a PCI of 100 is in excellent condition and needs no repair or treatment. There are very few streets in Eugene with a PCI of 100. The PCI takes into account not only the condition of a street but also its use. A busy street such as an arterial or collector with a PCI of 50 typically requires a full overlay treatment to effectively preserve its useful life. A quiet residential street with the same 50 PCI may only require a less expensive slurry seal treatment to extend its life.

If not adequately treated, all streets will deteriorate and develop large cracks and potholes. Usually a PCI of 20 or less indicates pavement and road base failure, and a reconstruction is required. Unimproved streets, such as those that are not constructed with curbs, gutters and engineered road bases, usually have very low PCI ratings, indicating that the only effective treatment is to rebuild the street to full city street standards, thus changing its classification to improved.

Condition of Your Street

If you’re interested in the condition of your street, contact Public Works Maintenance at 541-682-4800. A member of the Surface Operations Section can tell you what the PCI rating is and what specific paving treatments are recommended.

Reports

2017 Pavement Management Report