An executive model for network-level pavement maintenance and rehabilitation planning based on linear integer programming

Abstract

Although having too many details can complicate the planning process, this study involves the formulating of an executive model having a broad range of parameters aimed at network-level pavement maintenance and rehabilitation planning. Four decomposed indicators are used to evaluate the pavement conditions and eight maintenance and rehabilitation categories are defined using these pavement quality indicators. As such, some restrictions called ''technical constraints" are defined to reduce complexity of solving procedure. Using the condition indicators in the form of normalized values and developing technical constraints in a linear integer programming model has improved network level pavement M&R planning. The effectiveness of the developed model was compared by testing it under with-and-without technical constraints conditions over a 3-year planning period in a 10-section road network. It was found that using technical constraints reduced the runtime in resolving the problem by 91%, changed the work plan by 13%, and resulted in a cost increase of 1.2%. Solving runtime reduction issues can be worthwhile in huge networks or long-term planning durations.