Quality Assurance for GA Transportation Infrastructure
For more than 20 years, S&ME has supported the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) through roadway technician testing (RTT) services.
RTT services provide GDOT construction quality assurance through roadway material sampling, testing, and documentation. This includes statewide assignments covering all 159 counties in Georgia.
Quality Assurance Sampling and Testing
S&ME maintains required sampling frequencies for asphalt, soil, graded aggregate base, and concrete materials in accordance with the GDOT Sampling and Testing Manual and ASTM/AASHTO procedures.
Roadway Testing Technicians (RTTs) evaluate key factors such as:
- Compaction
- Density
- Gradation
- Moisture
- Asphalt content
- Concrete strength
Samples are tested both in the field as well as taken back to the lab to perform comprehensive testing by Laboratory Testing Technicians (LTTs). Results are then documented to support GDOT’s construction quality assurance and acceptance process.
Roadway Surveys
S&ME uses high-speed laser/inertial profilers to evaluate roadway conditions and collect pavement surface data at traffic speeds. This technology allows Technical Services Specialists (TSSs) to efficiently gather accurate, repeatable measurements without disrupting traffic flow.
High-speed laser/inertial profiling measures variations in the pavement surface while accounting for vehicle movement, creating a representation of the roadway profile.
The collected data is used to evaluate:
- Pavement smoothness
- Ride quality
- Overall roadway condition
These surveys provide the data needed to guide maintenance planning and long-term infrastructure performance management.
Results and Impacts
By identifying testing deficiencies and material concerns during active construction, GDOT can address issues before they affect roadway performance or compliance.
Across all seven GDOT districts, S&ME deploys more than 25 RTTs, LTTs, and TSSs to meet statewide contract needs. The work of these technicians:
- Improves consistency in roadway materials testing across Georgia’s diverse regions and project conditions.
- Supports GDOT’s construction quality assurance and acceptance process through accurate testing, documentation, and reporting.
- Strengthens long-term roadway performance and infrastructure reliability for communities across Georgia.
