Paper ID#: 58

Paper Title: Network Level Analysis of Pavements and Bridges in Europe

Primary Author: V. Männistö

Abstract Text : The objective of the RIMES (Road Infrastructure Maintenance Evaluation Study) project was to develop a framework for modelling road pavement and structure performance in order to provide a common standard for road management in Europe based on best current knowledge. The models developed provide a rational framework for evaluating the benefits of road infrastructure maintenance strategies. The main product at network level is an integrated network level management model which will be used by policy makers to determine maintenance standards and strategies, appropriate budget levels, and the allocation of funds between competing infrastructure maintenance needs. The network level system utilises probabilistic Markov chain models to predict the deterioration of pavements and bridges. Linear programming (LP) models are formulated and solved to yield a recommended long-term optimal solution for the condition state distribution. The LP models also give the distribution of the annual maintenance actions required to maintain the optimal cost-effective distribution year by year. A short-term optimisation procedure has been incorporated to provide the optimal path to the long-term optimum condition distribution over a short period of time, starting from the initial network condition distribution. One key product of this research is a method, which can be used to develop transition probability matrices using deterministic deterioration curves. This improves the applicability of this system, and it also enables better compatibility of results of different management modules. Long-term and short-term analyses are co-optimised simultaneously for all sub-networks. This enables the use of nation-wide budget constraint, which budget will then be automatically allocated between different parts of network.