How do you design and implement a pavement management system for your network?

1 Assess your network condition

The first step is to collect and analyze data on the current and historical condition of your pavement network. This includes measuring and evaluating parameters such as roughness, distress, cracking, rutting, skid resistance, and structural capacity. You can use various methods and technologies to collect this data, such as visual inspection, manual or automated surveys, testing equipment, and sensors. You should also consider factors such as traffic volume, load, speed, and climate that affect your pavement performance.

2 Define your performance goals and standards

The next step is to define your performance goals and standards for your pavement network. These are the criteria that you use to measure and compare the quality and serviceability of your pavement segments. You should align your goals and standards with your network objectives, stakeholder expectations, and available resources. For example, you may set different performance levels for different functional classes of roads, such as arterial, collector, or local. You may also use indicators such as pavement condition index (PCI), international roughness index (IRI), or remaining service life (RSL) to quantify your performance.

3 Develop your maintenance and rehabilitation strategies

The third step is to develop your maintenance and rehabilitation strategies for your pavement network. These are the actions that you take to preserve, restore, or improve your pavement condition and performance. You should consider the costs, benefits, and impacts of different options, such as preventive, corrective, or structural treatments. You should also prioritize your interventions based on the urgency, importance, and feasibility of each segment. You can use tools such as decision trees, optimization models, or life cycle analysis to help you select and schedule your strategies.

4 Implement and monitor your PMS

The final step is to implement and monitor your PMS for your network. This involves executing your maintenance and rehabilitation plans, tracking your progress and performance, and updating your data and information. You should also evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of your PMS, and identify any gaps, challenges, or opportunities for improvement. You should use feedback loops, quality control, and performance audits to ensure that your PMS is aligned with your network goals and standards.

A PMS is a valuable asset for managing your pavement network. It can help you optimize your resources, enhance your service quality, and extend your pavement life. By following these steps, you can design and implement a PMS that suits your network needs and expectations.