Cost-Benefit Analysis of Thin Surface Treatments in Pavement Treatment Strategies and Cycle Maintenance

Abstract

In this paper, a cost-benefit analysis is reported for selecting the most economical alternative among various pavement preservation choices using life-cycle cost analysis analytical technology. The impact of pavement conditions on the performance of the specific treatment was investigated in terms of pavement performance curves, which were developed for the treatments under varying pavement condition levels at each traffic network based on Pennsylvania Department of Transportation overall pavement index (OPI) data. A relationship between pavement life extension and pavement condition prior to the treatment was established. Finally, life-cycle cost analysis was conducted to quantify the impact of the pavement condition on the performance of the preservative treatments in terms of the benefit-to-cost ratio and net equivalent uniform annual cost. There is an optimum pavement condition and associated age (or a range of conditions or ages) in which the benefit-to-cost ratio that is associated with a treatment is maximized.