The AASHTO standard, which stands for American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, is a set of guidelines crucial to the design and construction of highway and transportation infrastructure in the United States. Founded to standardise procedures and criteria in the field of transport, this standard is a pillar in ensuring the safety, efficiency and sustainability of transport infrastructures.
First of all, a little history: This standard was initially established in 1914, under the name of the American Association of State Highway Officials, taking on its current name in 1973 to better reflect its extension to transport in addition to roads. Over the decades, the standard has evolved to incorporate technological advances and respond to emerging challenges in road and bridge construction, ensuring that standards remain relevant and effective.
The main objective of this law is to provide a coherent and effective framework for the design, construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure. This framework helps to create transport networks that are not only safe and accessible, but also economically viable and environmentally friendly.
By setting high standards of quality, the standard also helps to standardise road safety practices across different states, promoting more consistent infrastructure management at a national level.
As mentioned above, the law covers a wide range of areas relating to transport infrastructure. It is designed to ensure that roads, bridges and other transport infrastructure meet strict criteria for safety, functionality and sustainability. Here is an in-depth exploration of the 4 main areas that the AASHTO standard addresses.
One of the most crucial aspects of AASHTO is road conception. This section provides detailed guidance on pavement dimensions, curves, gradients, as well as the materials to be used for different categories of roads. The specifications also include recommendations on sight distances, safety barriers, and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, ensuring that all road stakeholders are taken into account in the design process.
The AASHTO standard also details rigorous standards for the design, assessment and rehabilitation of bridges. These guidelines are crucial to ensure that bridges can support their design loads throughout their life while withstanding variable environmental conditions, such as climate change and natural disasters. The standards include calculations for traffic, wind and seismic loads, ensuring the safety of users.
In addition to roads and bridges, the rule extends to other structures such as tunnels, retaining walls and footbridges. For each type of structure, the standard proposes specific criteria that must be followed to ensure safety and functionality. This includes aspects such as tunnel ventilation, drainage and fire protection measures.
One of its main objectives is to ensure that infrastructure is not only safe for day-to-day use, but also sustainable over the long term. This includes the integration of sustainable construction practices and the use of eco-responsible materials. The standard also encourages the adoption of innovative technologies and best management practices that can extend the useful life of infrastructure while reducing its environmental impact.
The AASHTO standard is central to the design and maintenance of transportation infrastructure in the United States, but it is also useful to compare it with other international standards to understand its specifics and how it interacts with global regulations. A notable example of complementary legislation in the US is MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act), which provides a complementary perspective to AASHTO.
The AASHTO standard focuses primarily on the technical aspects of the design, construction and maintenance of transport infrastructures. It provides detailed guidelines relating to the safety, durability and functionality of roads and bridges. In contrast, the MAP-21 standard, adopted in 2012, focuses more on financing policies, long-term planning and the efficiency of the transport system. While MAP-21 does not replace the AASHTO technical standards, it complements them by focusing on infrastructure management and financing.
Internationally, standards such as ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards and European directives also provide frameworks for transport safety and efficiency. For example, ISO standards for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) aim to improve traffic management and safety through technology, an area less covered by AASHTO. European standards, meanwhile, often place greater emphasis on the environment and sustainability, incorporating strict policies on emissions and the ecological impact of transport projects.
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