DEVELOPMENT OF A METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING RESURFACING PRIORITIES FOR THE PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN INDIANA
Abstract
Many state highway departments across the nation are presently placing major emphasis in the development of cost-effective procedures for maintaining their existing pavement network. The state of Indiana is in need of a systematic procedure for allocating interstate resurfacing funds to pavement network. This dissertation describes a methodology for establishing resurfacing priorities at the network level that can be incorporated in pavement management system for the State. As a part of this method optimization models were developed. As a companion tool, a technique based on graphical approach was also proposed. Pavement condition information, roughness measurements, increase in roughness over time, traffic, and pavement age are the primary factors considered in the optimization scheme. Different types of pavement and surface types are also considered in the model. Equivalence performance indices were developed to transform all the performance factors to a common scale. A performance function model was also developed to relate resurfacing strategies with the overall reduction in pavement distress present in the pavement section just prior to resurfacing. The optimization models have the capability to consider deficient pavement sections at any point in time within the analysis period specified. In addition, they have the capability to analyze the impact of different budget scenarios. The models can predict what pavement section and resurfacing strategy combination should be adopted in order to achieve an optimal resurfacing program in Indiana during the next five year period. The models were applied to the Indiana interstate highway network using 1982 as the base year. The results showed that Indiana's normal level of budget during the next five years can optimally resurface about 85 percent of the total center-line miles classified as deficient during this period. A sensitivity analysis on budget was also conducted. The results can be used by decision-makers to estimate the optimal number of miles that can be resurfaced under an alternate budget level. In summary, the optimization scheme developed in this research, along with the graphical technique, can be useful tools for pavement management decisions.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Civil engineering
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