Pavement Management Perspective on Integrating Preventive Maintenance into a Pavement Management System

Many transportation agencies use pavement preservation programs to manage their pavement assets cost-effectively. One important aspect of pavement preservation is the use of preventive maintenance treatments to improve the functional condition of the network and retard the overall rate of deterioration. Because preventive maintenance treatments are less expensive than resurfacing or reconstruction projects, a preventive maintenance program can provide a cost-effective means of meeting pavement performance goals. Pavement management systems support pavement preservation strategies in important ways. They assist in identifying and prioritizing preventive maintenance needs, justifying funding levels, and evaluating the long-term impacts of various preservation strategies. To date, many agencies have operated preventive maintenance activities in isolation from pavement management programs. However, many potential benefits can be gained from the closer integration of these two activities. A transportation agency that wishes to integrate preventive maintenance and pavement management might be required to make several changes. Specific technical areas in which changes might be needed include condition surveys and condition index calculations, pavement performance models, treatment rules, and program development. In addition, several institutional issues must be addressed to successfully integrate the two programs. Examples from state highway agencies illustrate possible solutions.