This report presents the research effort to develop an implementation plan for the NCHRP 1-37A Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG). This research encompasses both flexible and rigid pavements in new and rehabilitation projects. The project includes the study of current design practices followed by the NCDOT and the design practices followed by the MEPDG. The MEPDG is a sophisticated tool used to predict the performance of pavements and requires more rigorous inputs than any other earlier design procedures. Because the distress prediction models included in the MEPDG were calibrated using limited national databases, it is critical to calibrate the design methods and models using locally available input and performance data. The implementation plan developed during this project provides detailed recommendations for the steps necessary for the local calibration and validation of the MEPDG procedures. One important issue in the successful implementation of the MEPDG is the sensitivity analysis of the input data and the prediction using local databases. The Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) database plays a significant role in this study. Sensitivity analysis has been performed on several representative pavement sections in North Carolina. For material sensitivity analysis, the pavements are divided according to their climatic region and structure, thus taking care of two major inputs (climate and structure). Traffic sensitivity analysis has been performed based on the functional classification of roadways. A series of tables are provided showing the sensitivity of each input for various distress predictions. Once the sensitive and insensitive inputs are identified, an input data collection strategy is provided showing the most efficient ways of collecting those data. A main framework for a local training program is developed during this project. Finally, MEPDG implementation guidelines are developed based on all the findings from this project.
