The traditional role of pavement management system (PMS) analysis is as an integral part of the preservation program and project development process. The Michigan Department of Transportation already has a well-developed process that does not include a PMS analysis method. To avoid the disruptive effects of injecting or mixing one into this complex but well-defined process, a new role for PMS analysis was created: an application software system that analyses and processes data from the PMS data base for use by policy makers who are then able to do such things as control long-term network condition and funding requirements (via maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction (MR&R) program development constraints) to reduce the total cost of pavement preservation, and to have decisions flow from the top down. It is proposed that PMS analysis correct these problems by providing policy-level management with complete, high-quality, processed data and analysis tools essential for making rational decisions.
Abstract