The integrity of interlayer bonding in asphalt pavements is a critical factor to ensure the structure behaves as a unified, monolithic system. Common issues like dust contamination on the receiving surface and inadequate tack coat application create weak interfacial planes that promote localized shear deformation specifically in high-traction zones like braking and turning areas. This study introduces a transferable framework that integrates lab-based interlayer bond characterization, composite fatigue testing, and finite element (FE) modeling to assess pavement performance under realistic field conditions.Two tack coats were used in this study, including regular tack coat (RSC-4) and clean tack coat (ILT-4) and considered 0%, 50% (remaining 50% was covered with dust), and 100% of the contact surface area, at three distinct tack coat application rates. Peak shear strength, initial stiffness, and fractured energy were determined from monotonic shear tests for quantifying bonding state and for FE simulations. Four-point bending (4PB) test was used to characterize fatigue performance, using normalized stiffness s(N), fatigue life and mid-life degradation rate or damage rate (DR). To relate the findings with field behavior, FE simulations estimate shear demand during braking, allowing a demand-to-capacity comparison. Results indicate that dust samples have 10%-30% lower bonding strength and must reach shear fail at the service life at the breaking zone with -0.93 midlife damage rate. Considering DR as a primary performance indicator, the framework provides the ultimate recommendations such as ensure surface cleanliness, uniform tack coat application, and quality control in high-stress zones.