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A prominent feature of the Control Page are four gauges (dials). There is one gauge for each important output variable to be considered when the quality of design is judged, and the consequences of that design examined. These variables, also called decision variables are as follows:

 

•% shattered concrete surface (%SH),

•% pumping concrete surface (%PU),

•% faulting in the concrete pavement (%FA),

•International Roughness Index (IRI), and

•Life cost of the pavement, in R per square meter.

 

However, when the Continuously Reinforced (CR) or Ultra-thin Continuously Reinforced (UT) pavement is selected there is no faulting and the third meter mentioned above is replaced by a meter that indicates the average value of crack spacing. Also, there is no meter for the International Roughness Index (IRI).

 

The scale on each dial is divided into green, yellow and red zones. Green means good, yellow means acceptable, red means excessive.

 

Depending on the simulation result, a dial scale may automatically be extended to let the needle show the average in a clearer manner. If the needle reaches the right-hand extreme it means that, although extended, the scale can no longer accommodate the average value.

 

The main purpose of the meters is to inform the user that the simulation has so far been successful, and to give an early indication about the outcome of the simulation.