Pavement Management Applications in the U.S.

Today, States are facing many challenges including aging highway systems, growing travel demand, and insufficient transportation funding to address all of their pavement needs. The use of Pavement Management Systems (PMS) as a tool for identification of maintenance and preservation strategies, project prioritization, and efficient allocation of resources has become considerably more critical in managing highway systems. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Office of Asset Management developed a questionnaire requesting information from the FHWA Division Offices regarding the application of Pavement Management Systems in the 50 States plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, to have a better understanding of how States implement PMS to meet their maintenance, preservation, and rehabilitation needs. The questionnaire consisted of four sections soliciting information regarding administration of PMS, PMS data collection and data analysis, PMS role in the decision-making process, and the States’ future needs to enhance PMS. A summary of the responses was prepared and made available to the Division Offices for their use. This paper will present a brief overview of the pavement management applications in the U.S.