Maryland State Highway Administration’s Project Selection Process: Integrating Network and Project-Level Analysis

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is responsible for maintaining a 16,000-lane-mi pavement network. To maintain this network Maryland SHA prepares a system preservation program annually that includes specific roadway locations to be improved. In recent years, the process to develop this program has improved considerably through the development of new pavement management tools. These tools have provided Maryland SHA the ability to evaluate multiple funding strategies to invest in the pavement network and the consequences, with regard to network health, for implementing the strategies. In addition, the development of new tools has provided a methodology to identify and select specific project locations for funding in an easier and more accurate manner. The implementation of two of these tools is discussed. These tools include an optimization process to create funding strategies and a computerized project selection tool to identify specific project locations. The approach to using each of these tools in Maryland is described. The report includes discussion on how investment strategies are developed and approved, how projects are selected to match the investment strategy, and how modifications are made to the plan throughout the year. Planned efforts to enhance the process in the future are discussed as well as conclusions on the implementation to date.