Appraisal of road pavement evaluation methods

Abstract

Road pavement evaluation methods are based either on simple index of a surface characteristic, such as International Roughness Index (IRI) for roughness, Rut Depth (RD) for rutting, Sideway Force Coefficient (SFC) for skid-resistance; or, otherwise, on a complex index such as Pavement Condition Index (PCI), related with an overall consideration of the surface condition. Complex indices are commonly used in the frame of Pavement Management Systems (PMS) by road authorities worldwide, in order to assess the pavement condition and to program maintenance and rehabilitation activities along with keeping their road network up to a safe level for the users. Nowadays, these complex indices are considered to be more reliable and suitable to evaluate pavement condition and prioritize future rehabilitation actions. The first-line question is: is it really so? Meaning that, are indices like Present Serviceability Index (PSI) capable of revealing the real condition without misunderstanding or hidden issues? Can they be implemented in all cases and if so, are they enough accurate to lead road authorities to a safe conclusion and subsequently to the right and effective maintenance activities without misleads and useless costs? In the frame of the present paper, some of the most commonly used evaluation methods are enlightened, so as to dig up their advantages and their deficiencies and finally to assess their degree of efficiency. In terms of appraising pavement evaluation methods using complex indicators, the most common methods used are hereafter examined in an attempt to determine the best one for each case. Although the Australian method seems to be the most complete and reliable one, there is no absolute answer for all the cases, meaning that the best one in terms of mitigated implementation cost is suitable for cases with serious financial constraints, whilst in case of evaluations regardless of budget, the most accurate method is the appropriate one. © 2019 School of Science, IHU.