# Statistical Acceptance Specifications

Most U.S. states use some form of statistical acceptance in highway construction, and specifically in pavements.

- Canonical URL: https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/qc-qa/specifications/statistical-acceptance-specifications/
- Last updated: 2021-07-19
- Review: reviewed by licensed professional engineers on the previous Pavement Interactive site, where reviewers were not recorded by name

Most U.S. states use some form of statistical acceptance in highway construction, and specifically in pavements. A statistical acceptance specification is only one way of accepting or rejecting work; other methods such as accepting with no inspection and full inspection are also commonly used, however each method has its specific areas of applicability. Regardless of the details of accept / reject methods, they are all only designed to monitor or audit a process. They do not provide any means of process or product improvement and should not be used to achieve such goals.

Figure 1 is an example of a statistical specification.

![Section 1-06.2(2) from the 2014 WSDOT Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction. This is the introduction to their statistical acceptance plan](https://pavementinteractive.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/statistical-WSDOT-2021.jpg)

*Figure 1.* Section 1-06.2(2) from the 2014 WSDOT Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction. This is the introduction to their statistical acceptance plan.

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