Use of Emerging Technologies in support of Pavement Preservation Decision Making
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Abstract
Pavement preservation represents a proactive approach to maintaining and extending the lives of existing highways. Not surprisingly, pavement performance is at the heart of the preservation decision-making process. Traditionally, non-structural factors, such as distress and ride quality, have been used as the primary indicators for pavement preservation strategy selection and timing. However, these factors do not address structural condition, which is of great significance since the concept of preservation is predicated upon applying treatments to structurally sound pavements. Accordingly, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) undertook a study to identify emerging technologies to better characterize pavement conditions, predict future deterioration and demonstrate their applicability in the selection and timing of preservation strategies. As part of this study, a literature review and expert interviews were conducted to build a foundation for identifying and evaluating technologies. The evaluation process resulted in four technologies being recommended based on their potential application for pavement evaluation and forecasting. Case study reviews of these technologies were prepared, which highlighted the benefits provided by implementation of the technologies by agencies as well as some of the challenges faced during implementation. This paper focuses on the use of the recommended technologies within the pavement preservation operations of highway agencies. To accomplish this, relevant information extracted from the case study reviews as well as implementation considerations developed during the study are presented in the paper.