DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM OF PAVEMENT SELECTION IN EMERGING ECONOMIES

Abstract

Choosing rigid or flexible pavement is an important decision in infrastructure development projects and can improve public investment efficiency. Various studies have been conducted over the past few decades to compare between rigid and flexible pavement. Studies indicate that rigid pavement can have longer service life and require less maintenance costs, while others indicate that flexible pavement can have lower initial investment costs. Previous discussion tended to favor rigid pavement through the lens of its life cycle cost. Regardless, no consensus is established since life cycle costs can greatly vary from different project site conditions (e.g., soil conditions), discount rate, and requirements (i.e., costs and frequency) of maintenance and repair of different transportation agencies. Few studies discuss the practical decision-making processes to choose between the pavement types. This study developed a web-based decision support system to design alternative pavements and compare their life-cycle costs under various project conditions and requirements. The system’s functions are demonstrated using two example calculations based on Vietnamese design standards, and subsequent validation has demonstrated its capability in supporting decision-making in roadway pavement. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by demonstrating a possible decision support system to improve public investment efficiency in selecting appropriate rigid or flexible pavement design.