Selection of pavement performance models for use in the Portuguese PMS

Abstract

This paper compares different pavement performance models (PPMs) from around the world and recommends one for use in the Portuguese pavement management systems (PMS). The paper is divided into three complementary sections. The first section describes several PPMs used around the world. The models analysed are (or come from) the Highway Development and Management System, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the Nevada PMS, the Collop–Cebon whole-life pavement performance, the Swedish PMS and the Spanish PMS. The second section compares the results obtained for a case study with those of the two most promising PPMs and presents the advantages and disadvantages of using these models. The models were tested using the strategies evaluation tool, one of the components of the PMS utilised by the main Portuguese concessionaire. The final section of the paper presents the conclusions of the study on the use of the PPM evaluated and recommends one model to be used for managing the Portuguese highway network.