Development of Flexible Pavement Index Based Performance Models for Network Pavement Management System in the State of Louisiana

Accurate prediction of the surface condition of the highway is imperative for the maintenance, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities of the department of transportation. In this regard, the pavement management section of the department plays an important role. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration initiated a study to evaluate the existing pavement management system of the LADOTD. One of the objectives of the study was to evaluate and update the pavement performance models for different pavement types and highway classifications as used by the department. This paper focuses on the development of the pavement prediction models of LADOTD for flexible pavements. The distress data collected over the last 10 years at two years interval was sorted based on pavement type and four highway classifications including: Interstate highway system (IHS), National Highway System (NHS), State highway System (SHS) and Regional Highway System (RHS). The data was sorted and analyzed based on the historical records of the construction/reconstruction year and last resurfacing year. Regression analyses were conducted for each control section of the road, and best-fit functions were obtained. A methodology was also adopted to develop generalized pavement performance models, based on pavement age. These models can assist in assessing the deterioration of overlaid and new flexible pavements. It is believed that improving the pavement performance models will improve the efficiency of the pavement management system (PMS) section of the LADOTD.