Alligator cracking is measured in square meters (square feet) of surface area. The major difficulty in measuring this type of distress is that two or three levels of severity often exist within one distressed area. If these portions can be easily distinguished from each other, they should be measured and recorded separately; however, if the different levels of severity cannot be divided easily, the entire area should be rated at the highest severity present. If alligator cracking and rutting occur in the same area, each is recorded separately as its respective severity level.