What is a PCI?

Hold yourself to a higher standard! This is something my father used to tell me when I was performing a task of some sort, and he could see that I wasn't living up to a certain level of quality. These are the types of "nuggets of wisdom" that our parents instill in us that creep their way back into our minds from time to time throughout the sometimes mundane tasks in our daily routines!

So as I entered into the workforce as an adult I learned that there are a bunch of different types and meanings for the word standard. A decade ago I embarked on my journey into the engineering and pavement management realm. Here I was quickly thrust into the world of the ASTM D6433-11 & 12 standards. This methodology became the mindset behind what my role at the time was and the standard to which we would hold ourselves accountable in our company.

The PCI is defined as a numerical indicator that rates the surface condition of the pavement. The PCI provides a measure of the present condition of the pavement based on the distress observed on the surface of the pavement, which also indicates the structural integrity and surface operational condition (localized roughness and safety). The PCI cannot measure structural capacity, nor does it provide a direct measurement of skid resistance or roughness. It provides an objective and rational basis for determining maintenance and repair needs and priorities. Continuous monitoring of the PCI is used to establish the rate of pavement deterioration, which permits early identification of major rehabilitation needs. The PCI provides feedback on pavement performance for validation or improvement of current pavement design and maintenance procedures.

As I have grown in my roles and knowledge over the past decade the standard is still the standard. This has allowed me to do my job with confidence and ensure our clients that we are always objective and standardized! And as the new guys come into the company I give them this little nugget of advice, "Hold yourself to a higher standard" that happens to be called the ASTM.