Appropriate Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation Management System for Local Governments

Local government officials find themselves squeezed between the need to produce pavement rehabilitation and maintenance budgets by using rational, systematic approaches and the lack of pavement engineering expertise and scarce funds. To meet that challenge, an appropriate pavement management system (PMS) is required. Such a system must be sufficiently sophisticated, yet straightforward and transparent in use. This paper outlines the development of a PMS designed specifically to meet the unique needs of local governments having the task of managing pavement assets. It sketches the environment in which such systems must work to set the terms of reference, discusses data collection requirements, covers pavement deterioration, comments on maintenance and rehabilitation treatment selection, and details the desirable budgeting capabilities.