Implementing Pavement Management Systems for Local Agencies — State-of-the-Art/State-of-the-Practice Synthesis

Abstract

Pavement management systems have proven to be an effective tool for management of large state and metropolitan pavement networks. Although smaller agencies no doubt have similar operational and organizational needs and face the same general challenges as larger agencies, there are still many county and municipal agencies in Illinois that have not implemented pavement management systems. Regardless of whether this is due to the lack of adequate resources to establish the initial database and set up the system, or whether there is a general lack of technical expertise to implement the program, local agencies are in need of a methodology for effectively managing the various components of their pavement network. As a part of this research two documents were produced including a state-of-the-art/state-of-the-practice synthesis and a set of guidelines to assist local agencies in selecting and implementing a pavement management system that is suitable for their needs. This synthesis document provides details on pavement management systems in terms of data collection methodologies and rating systems, software programs, and local agency implementations in the U.S. Also documented are the results of a current practice survey disseminated to local agencies in Illinois, as well as case studies of selected agencies in Illinois that have a pavement management system implemented in their jurisdictions.