HDM-4 based optimal maintenance strategies for low-volume roads in India

Abstract

The Government of India has recently launched a road program, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadal Yojana (PMGSY), costing about US$168 billion. About 370 000 km of low-volume roads (LVRs) are being constructed under this program by following specifications given in the Indian manual IRC:SP-20. There is an immediate need for the development of a scientific-based maintenance policy for these roads in view of the huge investment. In this study, an attempt has been made to calibrate the pavement deterioration models by carrying out life-cycle cost analysis using the highway development and maintenance tool (HDM-4) for different local traffic composition and environmental conditions of plain, rolling and hilly terrain in the Uttarakhand State of India, and to suggest the appropriate type/timing of optimal maintenance alternative for 70 differently designed LVRs with varying structural number values. The results of the study will be useful to field engineers in deciding optimal maintenance policy.