Iowa Statewide Urban Design and Specifications

Part of the Institute for Transportation’s (InTrans’) mission is outreach in service of saving lives and improving economic vitality.

One of its longest-running programs, the Iowa Pavement Management Program (IPMP), helps InTrans achieve that mission by equipping local agencies with the tools and knowledge they need to make smarter, cost-effective pavement decisions.

Each quarter, IPMP hosts training sessions that bring together city, county, and regional staff to learn best practices in pavement and asset management. These sessions not only cover the fundamentals of pavement management systems but also provide hands-on training with dTIMS, a widely used pavement management software. Both new users and experienced participants benefit: newcomers gain essential skills to get started, while returning users receive updates on the latest software features and strategies.

“The meetings provide local and regional government personnel an opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and get practical advice on managing their data and road systems,” said Inya Nlenanya, an InTrans research scientist who leads the quarterly trainings.

Typically, these sessions also include an update on the IPMP—which promotes optimal, cost-effective decisions on highway maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction, using accurate past and projected pavement conditions—as well as a spotlight presentation from a local agency that has found innovative ways to use IPMP in their pavement management.

The meetings are limited to at most 40 attendees, so there are plenty of opportunities for one-on-one assistance and time for questions or discussion on particular pavement management concerns raised by an agency. The next IPMP meeting is expected to be held in early December.

In addition to the quarterly trainings, the IPMP also offers services to assist agencies including the following:

• Automated distress data collection to save time and reduce manual inspections
• Video-based road surveys (videologs) that allow staff to visually review pavement conditions without leaving the office
• Seamless integration with agency data systems for more effective planning and decision-making

To learn more about the IPMP and its services or to request specific assistance, visit the IPMP web page at: https://ctre.iastate.edu/ipmp/. To be kept in the loop about upcoming trainings or specific questions, contact Nlenanya at inya@iastate.edu.