Modified pavement condition assessment model for asphalt concrete pavements

Pavement condition classification based on different condition parameters is one of the primary challenges in any effective Pavement Management System (PMS) and its use as a decision aid tool is inevitable. Agencies adopt different condition classification and assessment model based on the availability of resources for data collection and their ability to address pavement issues prevalent in the area. However, a system for pavement condition classification is not yet well established in India. Therefore, the present study develops a 0–100 scale Pavement Condition Rating Index (PCRI) for condition classification of asphalt pavements in India. The development of proposed condition rating index is based on expert opinions and existing guidelines. Six sub-indices were developed for cracking, ravelling, patching, potholes, rutting and roughness using curve fitting based on threshold values. Further the subindices were combined to PCRI using weight factors obtained by Analytical Hierarchy Procedure (AHP). The application of developed Pavement Condition Rating Index (PCRI) model is presented in terms of condition classification and priority rating. The PCRI was found to give similar results in terms of priority ranking when compared with widely recognised HDM4 tool. Further, a sensitivity analysis using Pawn index method was performed and it was found that developed PCRI model is highly sensitive towards the number of potholes.