POTHOLE REPAIR: YOU CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO DO IT RIGHT

Pothole repair has traditionally been done using a "throw-and-go" or a "run-and-dump" procedure. Many transportation agency administrators are of the opinion that correct procedures are too expensive and time consuming and not cost-effective. Correct procedures include paying proper attention to cutting, compaction, and the use of quality materials. The results of a comprehensive study of pothole repairs, their longevity, and their cost-effectiveness are reported in this paper. The results are directly applicable to northern snow-belt states. Life-cycle cost analysis was used to compare the cost-effectiveness of several different procedures for pothole repair. The conditions and practices analyzed in the paper are based on actual observations of repair operations and performance during a 2-year period. Mathematical models were used to calculate the annualized cost per ton for each repair method. Rigorous repair procedures that involve cutting, cleaning, and compacting are the most cost-effective ways to repair potholes. Throw-and-go procedures cost approximately three times more than do the more rigorous procedures. Material costs are a small percentage of the total cost for pothole repair, which implies that newer, more expensive materials that can provide greater repair longevity will be cost-effective.