Economic analysis of effectiveness of pavement preventive maintenance

Abstract

Pavement maintenance can be categorized into two main categories: corrective maintenance and preventive maintenance. The current practices of most highway authorities concentrate on the first category, with minor attention given to preventive maintenance. The main reason for this is the shortage of available funds, which directs some decision makers toward putting the limited funds on corrective measures to satisfy road users, leaving nothing, or, at most, negligible portions for preventive maintenance. This situation will continue unless studies show the economic benefits of preventive maintenance. An evaluation of two pavement preventive maintenance techniques, namely, chip seal and sand seal coating, is described. The evaluation process consists of three basic steps. First a data base that included all relevant data on pavement sections was developed. Second a set of models describing pavement deterioration, maintenance costs, and user costs was developed. Finally a comprehensive life cycle analysis was conducted; this included the costs of all items associated with different types and timings of maintenance strategies.