Determining Post-Earthquake Pavement Requirements for Christchurch, New Zealand

Abstract

Christchurch and surrounding areas have been devastated by a series of earthquakes ranging in magnitude from 6.3 to 7.1 since 4th September 2010. The earthquakes caused widespread damage across the city to all state owned asset infrastructure above and below ground. The local council (Christchurch City), in partnership with the national government and surrounding councils, needed to determine the extent and severity of damage to the infrastructure and then the cost to return the network to operational condition for the short term. A key part of the investigation was to determine the duration and cost to return the network to the service levels as they were prior to the earthquakes. This paper will provide the basis of the approach taken to determine the needs of the road infrastructure, with investigations into future investment levels that would bring the network to the acceptable service levels. With the complexity of the investment decisions to be made by the network asset managers, where approximately 35% of the network was affected by extensive damage by the earthquakes, targeted use of investment was essential to ensure that the remainder of the unaffected network is not compromised through reduced investment. The inputs used for the forecast was to use readily available information, including extensive asset inventory information, forecasted demand and asset condition assessments, and measurements. Pavement performance modeling tools were used to analyze the forecasts for various investment levels. The outputs were used by key decision-makers within the council(s) and national government to ensure that the road network would be functional and at an appropriate standard to maintain economic development and social well-being.