Pavement Lifecycle Planning / Caltrans
Caltrans routinely conducts life cycle planning for pavements by annually collecting pavement condition data for all state highways. This data is then utilized in their Pavement Management System (PaveM) software to forecast deterioration, prioritize treatments, and analyze funding scenarios. PaveM supports project optimization using benefit and cost considerations to identify potential treatments that meet the desired performance targets. Treatment selection considers factors like pavement type, condition pre- and post-treatment, costs, climate, traffic, and project history. At the network level, life cycle decisions prioritize preservation after new pavement construction, followed by repeated capital preventive maintenance (CAPM) treatments until major rehabilitation or reconstruction becomes necessary. Caltrans employs three LCP scenarios within PaveM analyses: (a) a 20% increase in preservation investment, (b) a 20% reduction in preservation investment, and (c) achieving established performance targets. Caltrans also utilizes life cycle cost analysis, minimum 20–40-year design lives, sustainable pavement practices, and industry partnerships to maximize pavement life cycles.
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