Predicting Pavement Condition Deterioration for the Saudi Inter-Urban Road Network

Abstract

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) in Saudi Arabia uses Pavement Condition Rating (PCR) to report pavement condition. The PCR was developed by the World Bank in 1986. PCR is based on International Roughness Index (IRI), Rutting (RUT), Cracking (CRA), and Raveling (RAV). The MOT collects pavement condition data using a digital inspection vehicle (DIV). On some expressways, the MOT measures the Skid Number (SN) using a Skid Test Unit as complimentary measurement for safety issues. The objective of this paper is to develop a general prediction model for The Saudi Arabia Inter-Urban road network. Two models have been developed for the Inter-Urban road network using 10 years survey data for overlaid sections on some expressways in the network. One model is for PCR and the other one is for IRI. The PCR model is a function of pavement age (T), Traffic Volume (TV), and IRI. The IRI model is a function of RUT, RAV, and CRA. Overlaid sections across the entire network have been selected to study the mechanisms of pavement deterioration, to develop the model and to draw conclusions.