Multidimensional benefit–cost evaluation of asphaltic concrete overlays of rigid pavements

Using the data from a national study in the USA, this study demonstrated a comprehensive and multidimensional pavement treatment evaluation methodology and used the methodology to evaluate the short-term and life cycle cost-effectiveness (CE) of five rigid pavement rehabilitation treatments. Four measures of effectiveness were used in this study: the sudden decrease in surface roughness, treatment service life, increase in average pavement condition over the service life and the area bounded by the performance curve. This study established relationships that quantify the influence of pre-treatment condition on treatment effectiveness. Also, the models were developed to describe the treatment effectiveness as a function of traffic loading and climatic severity. It is seen that at high traffic loading, there is relatively little difference in treatment effectiveness across various climate severities. This study suggests that superior effectiveness of a treatment does not necessarily translate into superior CE. Also, the treatment location was found to influence the relative effectiveness of the treatments. Overall, the results suggest that treatment ‘crack-and-seat and 8-in. asphalt concrete overlay’ is the most cost-effective.