Assessment of Asphalt Road Pavement Rehabilitation and Maintenance Practices: The Case of West Showa Zone in Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study mainly aimed at assessing asphalt road pavement rehabilitation and maintenance practices in West Showa Zone with particular reference to the roads from Ambo to Gedo which covers over 64kms. The study aimed at identifying pavement distresses and causes of pavement distresses. According to data collection and analysis, it was found that the material properties and composition (28.1%), construction quality (18.8%), and road maintenance standards (15.6%) were perceived to be the major causes of pavement distresses on the roadway under study. On the other hand, the result of survey condition data obtained from ERA was analyzed and major distresses were identified including longitudinal joint crack, bleeding and tripping, potholes, generalized marked fretting, deformation, subsidence, rutting, patch, wide block crack, isolated scabbing, low shoulder and wheel path rutting. Besides, limited skilled man power (x=3.78), lack of appropriate pavement management system (x =3.93), budget constraint (x=4.43), absence of appropriate machineries (x=3.53), and lack of monitory and quality control (x=3.75) were among the major challenges related to effective pavement work, road maintenance and rehabilitation practices on the roadway under study.