Reformulated Pavement Remaining Service Life Framework

CHAPTER 10. SUMMARY

In this report, a framework has been proposed to replace the term "life" with a construction needs term relative to pavements. The objective of this proposal is to provide a more refined definition of future pavement construction needs that is easier to understand.

The major concepts presented in this report include the following:

• Current variability of pavement remaining life terminology is confusing.

• Since pavements are repairable systems, life terminology is not appropriate.

• The use of a terminology based on future corrective construction needs has the potential to replace pavement remaining life predictions.

• Prediction of future corrective pavement construction needs are based on the selection of construction trigger models that best represent factors used by an agency to schedule future treatments, the establishment of thresholds related to condition states of the construction triggers, and the development of performance curves that provide a prediction of the future change in pavement condition.

• Data collection should be based on providing needed input data to the construction trigger models.

• Network-level strategy selection should be based on LCC considerations and network optimization concepts.

• A continual cycle of improvement updates based on observations of past performance and introduction of new technology is required.

The framework concepts were formulated in terms that agencies can use to adapt and enhance their current practices.

Appendix A provides a general overview of pavement design and management concepts related to pavement life future construction events. Appendix B provides indepth reference citations on technical literature related to existing remaining pavement life models. These methods are equally applicable to construction needs terminology contained in this document. The bibliography contains the literature review summary developed by the project team during the project.