A macroscopic optimization system for the management of pavement rehabilitation

A pavement management system has been designed to yield optimum pavement conditions under constrained budgets and a specified study period and pavement network. The system has been programmed using visual basic language for efficient interference among various system functions. The system can predict future pavement conditions from performance curves generated using the serviceability concept developed by the American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The pavement performance curves are generated using an incremental analysis of the AASHTO basic design equation. The system then applies an effective optimum decision policy that aims towards maximizing the annual average network Present Serviceability Index (PSI) according to the expected outcomes of predefined major rehabilitation actions and subject to cost and budget constrains. The undertaken macroscopic approach to pavement management requires performance data for each pavement project, one with the same pavement structural section, in contrast to the microscopic one that requires the same data for each short pavement section. In the macroscopic solution, the optimization process is made feasible since all pavement projects in the same class are treated as one identity. The developed macroscopic system is particularly beneficial for small local governments in establishing long-term pavement rehabilitation policies especially in terms of scheduling, planning, and budgeting.