What this tracks
This dataset measures the smoothness of Tennessee roadways using the International Roughness Index (IRI), where lower numbers indicate smoother pavement.
Why it matters to you
If you’re planning a road trip through Tennessee, this data tells you which highways might give you a bumpier ride. Business owners shipping fragile goods can check roughness ratings to avoid routes that could damage their cargo. Cyclists and motorcyclists can use it to find smoother roads for a more comfortable ride.
How to read this data
COUNTY_NAME — Which county the road section is in, like “Bledsoe”.
IRI_AVERAGE — The roughness score (55.7 = moderately rough; lower is smoother).
ROUGHNESS_RATING — Plain-language rating like “Good” to quickly assess road quality.
ROUTE_NUMBER — The numbered highway (30 = State Route 30).
Try it yourself
Check the roughness rating for your regular commute route by searching for the route number (like 30) in your county’s data.