Pavement maintenance practices of low-volume roads and potential enhancement: the regional experience of Colorado pavement management system

ABSTRACT

Most transportation agencies employ low-cost surface treatments and light pavement rehabilitation as affordable maintenance strategies on Low-volume roads (LVRs). Yet, decisions about these treatments are made based primarily on local experience and can differ significantly in different management regions. Therefore, the effectiveness of different treatments should be documented. In the state of Colorado, specific maintenance policies are implemented on the pavement management of LVRs due to limited funding. In 2018, a regional survey of practice was conducted to collect information on managing LVRs in Colorado. The objective is to identify efficient pavement management systems for the benefit of implementation and guidance nationwide. This paper summarises the main results of the survey and provides a comprehensive discussion of key issues related to managing LVRs. The optimisation strategies and target levels were proposed, and a case study was optimised as part of a multi-year maintenance planning. As a result of this study, transportation agencies can determine future budget needs, funding allocations and treatment policy in order to demonstrate the best possible use of pavement management resources on LVRs. It also provides useful guidelines for LVRs practitioners who understand the importance of promoting the education of considering effective maintenance practices and funding for roads in the lower management levels.

KEYWORDS:

• Low-volume roads
• pavement management system
• pavement maintenance
• optimisation analysis
• survey of practice

Acknowledgements

The authors are indebted to the regional pavement engineers in CDOT for their valuable participation in the survey.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was sponsored by Colorado Department of Transportation.