This article summarizes the development and findings of a study regarding the International Rugosity Index (IRI) for pavements in urban roads. A collection of both international and national experiences, field measures, IRI evaluations in different types of profiles and analysis of findings obtained in Bogota’s roads was reviewed, what was obtained in each stage of the research was correlated, and conclusions and recommendations were submitted. It includes issues concerning the origin of the IRI, measuring scales, range in urban pavements, measuring and checking equipment for its calibration, threshold and treatment of singularities