AASHTO pavement design software is a tool that helps engineers and designers to create and evaluate pavement designs based on the mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG). The software can handle different types of pavements, such as asphalt, concrete, and composite, and various traffic and environmental conditions. The software can also perform sensitivity analysis, life cycle cost analysis, and risk analysis.

There are different versions of AASHTO pavement design software available for different purposes and users. Some of them are:

• WinPAS 12: This is a Windows-based software that is based on the AASHTO 1993 pavement design guide. It is suitable for designing concrete pavements for roadways. It has a user-friendly interface and updated help screens. It is available as a free download from the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) website[^1^]. However, a license is required to use it beyond 30 days.
• PAVEXpress: This is a web-based tool that can create pavement designs using key engineering inputs, based on the AASHTO 1993 and 1998 supplement pavement design process and equations. It can handle both asphalt and concrete pavements for roadways. It is user-friendly, where project designs can be shared, saved, and printed. It also has an interactive learning module called PAVEInstruct. It is available as a free online tool from the Asphalt Institute website[^2^].
• AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design: This is the next generation of AASHTO pavement design software, which builds upon the MEPDG and expands and improves the features in the accompanying prototype computational software. It can handle all types of pavements for both roadways and airfields. It has a more advanced interface and capabilities, such as incorporating performance models, distress models, climate data, material properties, etc. It is available as a licensed software from the AASHTOWare website[^3^].

To download and use any of these software, you need to follow the instructions on their respective websites. You may also need to register or purchase a license depending on the software. You should also check the system requirements and compatibility before downloading or installing the software.

AASHTO pavement design software is a useful tool for pavement engineers and designers who want to apply the latest methods and standards for pavement design. By using these software, you can optimize your pavement designs for performance, durability, safety, and cost-effectiveness.

One of the main benefits of using AASHTO pavement design software is that it can help engineers precisely predict pavement performance based on engineering principles and mechanics. The software incorporates material mechanics, climate data, axle-load spectra, and other advances that affect pavement behavior and deterioration. By using these software, engineers can evaluate how different pavement designs will perform under various traffic and environmental conditions, and select the most suitable one for their project.

Another benefit of using AASHTO pavement design software is that it can help engineers optimize pavement designs based on given requirements and constraints. The software provides tools to perform sensitivity analysis, life cycle cost analysis, and risk analysis, which can help engineers compare different design alternatives and fine-tune their design parameters. The software also allows users to save final designs as well as individual input parameters in a database, which can be used for future designs, analyses, and management purposes.

A third benefit of using AASHTO pavement design software is that it can help engineers comply with national standards, best practices, and regulations, while also accommodating state-to-state differences. The software is built to help users follow the Federal Highway Administration guidelines, AASHTO standards, and industry best practices for pavement design. However, the software also allows users to customize their inputs and models according to their local conditions and preferences. The software is easy to download, install, and use, and has a user-friendly interface with several functional, stability, and performance enhancements.