Development of Uniform Sections for Pavement Management System Inventory and Application

摘要

This report summarizes the findings of the first phase of LTRC research project 04-2P, which is sponsored by LADOTD. The project is assessing the current status and the state-of-the-practice of the LADOTD pavement management system (PMS). Results of the assessment would help LADOTD accomplish its overall objective in developing a cost-effective pavement preservation strategy to improve the pavement condition, as stated in the 'Louisiana-Vision 2020'. During the course of the study, various components of the PMS were evaluated. A detailed survey of all district engineers was conducted to establish the needs of each district. Based on the survey results and assessment of the current PMS practices, the research team collaborated with LADOTD's PMS engineers to make various conclusions and recommendations. The key efforts of the research team during the first phase of the study included the following: (1) A review of the-state-of-the-practice of LADOTD's PMS. The review included, but was not limited to, the current highway classification system, the reference location systems, the distress data collection and storage practices, other data available in the department, deduct points, distress indices and remaining service life calculations, and project and network-level reports; (2) A survey of all districts engineers to address the needs of the districts. The survey addressed various issues including the types of reports and their accessibility, the utility of the PMS outputs, the existing location reference systems, the various pavement preservation actions, and the degrees to which the PMS users fully understand the benefits and the potential cost savings that can be precipitated by using the PMS data. The investigators believe that the results of this study will enhance the PMS capabilities in managing pavements and facilitate better communication among various PMS data users and decision makers.