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 commute or delivery route in Tennessee, this data tells you which roads are bumpier (higher IRI) and which are smoother (lower IRI). Truck drivers or motorcyclists might avoid routes rated “Poor” to reduce wear on vehicles, while residents can check roughness ratings before reporting road issues to local officials. Businesses relying on timely deliveries (e.g., florists or movers) can prioritize smoother routes to minimize delays.
How to read this data
IRI_AVERAGE — The roughness score (e.g., 55.7); lower is smoother.
ROUGHNESS_RATING — A plain-language rating like “Good” or “Poor.”
ROUTE_NUMBER — The road identifier (e.g., 30 for State Route 30).
COUNTY_NAME — Where the road segment is located (e.g., Bledsoe County).
Try it yourself
Look up your frequent travel routes by searching for their ROUTE_NUMBER (like “30”) and COUNTY_NAME to compare roughness ratings.