APS Blog: Pavement Preservation is a Key Component of NJDOT's Pavement Success Story

A recent article by New Jersey Department of Transportation’s (NJDOT) Robert Blight in the Pavement Preservation Journal highlights the remarkable transformation of New Jersey’s state highway network over the past two decades. Robert’s piece focuses on the integral role pavement preservation played in increasing the state’s good or moderate pavement quality to 82% - from 43% in 2008. Kudos to our partners at NJDOT for relying on a data-driven approach while partnering with Dr. Tom Bennert and the team at Rutgers University’s Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) to ensure our roads were receiving the proper treatments and getting away from the “worst first” practices that got the state in this position. 

NJDOT’s leaders worked together, integrating pavement management, design, and research under one umbrella. By aligning internal expertise and leveraging Rutgers CAIT’s applied research and technical expertise, NJDOT was able to connect innovation with implementation, ensuring that policy decisions were backed by data and real-world performance. NJDOT started seeing the results almost immediately. As a result, pavement preservation became a core component of New Jersey’s transportation program, supported by dedicated funding. 

The progress outlined in the article underscores what’s possible when long-term planning, performance-based decision-making, and strong agency–academic partnerships come together. New Jersey’s experience shows that investing in preservation as part of a balanced asset management strategy not only improves pavement conditions, but also maximizes the value of public dollars and strengthens the overall transportation network. NJDOT’s sustained commitment to this approach, supported by Rutgers CAIT’s research and technical insight, has created a model that continues to deliver real, measurable benefits for the traveling public across the state.

To read the original article please Click Here