Studying the Effectiveness of Changing Parameters in Pavement Management Systems on Optimum Maintenance Strategies of Low-Volume Paved Roads

Abstract

Pavement maintenance policies are being adapted for different road classes in the decision-making process of the pavement management system (PMS). Optimization analysis is a promising approach to managing maintenance strategies considering pavement performance targets and budget constraints. One approach to increasing the effectiveness of optimization analysis is to study the influences of changing key parameters in PMSs on optimum maintenance strategies. In this paper, a multiyear optimization analysis is conducted while managing low-volume roads (LVRs) in Colorado at the network level. First, the regional pavement maintenance practice is defined for five engineering regions managed by the Colorado DOT. Then a sensitivity analysis is used to show the effects of changing maintenance policies of thin overlays, size of road network, pavement performance targets, and initial pavement conditions on the optimum solutions. The results of this study provide better understanding of the importance of certain criteria when justifying maintenance funding needs and maintenance policies. Engineers can consider the factors investigated in this study to secure appropriate maintenance funding for LVRs from state legislatures.