This practice describes a method for determining rut depth in pavement surfaces from transverse profile measurements. Five transverse profile points are the minimum number of points required to determine rut depth. While this practice is based on a five-measurement transverse profile, more than five measurements greatly improve the accuracy and enhance the likelihood of identifying the maximum and average rut depth given survey vehicle wander and various rut configurations.

Procedures are defined for measuring a transverse profile and deriving a rut depth, but detailed specifications are not included for equipment, instruments, or software used to make the measurements. Any equipment and/or procedure that can measure as specified, with the accuracy stipulated herein, and that can be adequately calibrated is acceptable for this method.