A Network-Level Optimization Model for Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation Programming

Network level pavement management systems support the development of pavement maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) programs and budgets over an entire pavement network. They provide tools and methods for resource allocations and project prioritization. This paper proposes a practical decision-support model for determining optimal M&R network-level policies based on goal programming. The model can handle multiple incommensurable and conflicting objectives while considering probabilistic constraints related to the available budget and agency pavement condition performance targets. The optimization approach builds on previous formulations and adds probabilistic considerations that make the solution more stable and allow incorporating risk in decision-making process. Two optimization objectives, maximization of the total M&R effectiveness and minimization of the total M&R cost, were used to illustrate the process. The implementation of the model in a simple case study showed that its application is practical for supporting the management of pavement M&R that reflects agency goals, resource limitations, and performance targets.