Quadratic Linear Control Approach to Managing Network-Level Performance Goals of Pavement Infrastructure Systems

This paper presents a new formulation and solution to the problem of managing infrastructure-specific, network-level performance goals through the planning of maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) activities for the case of pavement infrastructure systems. The proposed approach is based on tracking agency-set targets with the use of optimal control theory. In particular, the problem is formulated as a discrete-time, continuous-state-space quadratic linear tracking control problem considering M&R actions for a finite planning horizon. The formulation builds on previous research efforts by using deterministic, yet realistic, empirical deterioration models. The problem is subsequently solved by using a standard nonlinear mathematical programming solver. The results obtained are realistic, and the formulation provides ample modeling flexibility, which allows the decision maker to obtain target-specific optimal solutions.