PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT: THE NETWORK-LEVEL DECISION PROCESS (ABRIDGMENT)

The pavement management process is described in terms of two generalized management levels: the network level, involving global administrative decisions, and the project level, involving technical decisions for specific projects. A general framework for a comprehensive pavement management system (PMS) is described, based on the flow of information at either management level. Some essential features of pavement management systems are identified, and the network-level subsystems of the general PMS framework are discussed in detail. Specific network-level techniques that seem promising for use within a comprehensive PMS are identified. It is concluded that, although the development of network-level techniques has generally lagged behind project-level development, implementation of a comprehensive PMS can begin immediately by using existing technology. (Author)