An Evaluation of Effects of Routine Maintenance on Highway Surface Conditions : Informational Report

Abstract

This research was undertaken to analyze the effects of routine maintenance expenditure level on pavement surface condition and consequently on pavement service life. A conceptual framework for assessing the relationship between pavement age and routine maintenance expenditure level was developed. Surface roughness was used as a measure of pavement condition and pavement age at terminal roughness value was considered as a measure of pavement service life. The effects of traffic loading and regional factors were also considered in the framework. The major work items within the scope of study included: (i) the development of mathematical models for routine maintenance and regional effects; (ii) the evaluation of the effects of pavement age and traffic loading on maintenance effectiveness; (iii) the examination of the relationship between routine maintenance and pavement service life; and (iv) the study of the impacts of routine maintenance on timing of pavement resurfacing. An integrated data base was developed from selected pavement sections from the Indiana state highway system including information on pavement routine maintenance, pavement roughness, and pavement characteristics. The data were collected based on pavement contract sections. The results indicated that deterioration in pavement surface condition in the northern region was higher than that in the southern region. However, maintenance effectiveness was found, in general, higher in the northern region. Also, the effectiveness of patching and joint and crack sealing was found higher than that of patching alone. In addition, maintenance effectiveness for pavements that are in the middle range of their service life was found higher than that for pavements that are in the early phase of their service life. Multiple regression was used to develop predicion models for the effects of routine maintenance expenditure level on pavement service life. The results of these models indicated that if patching and crack sealing expenditure level increases from low to high levels, resurfacing can be postponed 1 to 3.3 years for overlaid pavements and 1.6 to 8 years for flexible pavements.