WTI

Preventative Maintenance Treatments: A Synthesis of Highway Practice

Primary Investigator Contact Information

External Project Contact(s)

Report(s)

1. Preventive Maintenance Treatments of Flexible Pavements: A Synthesis of Highway Practice
   1. Eli Cuelho, Robert Mokwa, Michelle Akin
   2. 4W0447_Final_Report.pdf

Project Objective

Identify existing and emerging technologies that could be used to enhance or replace current pavement maintenance approaches used by the Montana Department of Transportation.

Project Abstract

With millions of dollars being spent each year to maintain nearly 24,000 lane-miles of pavement in Montana, it is critical to know the effectiveness of maintenance techniques, given climate and traffic conditions. Although studies have been conducted to evaluate timely and cost-effective treatments, it is not known how these treatments enhance or extend pavement performance under Montana’s climate, traffic loads, and soil conditions. This project will result in the review and synthesis of past and present research data, identifying the adequacy of existing data and methodologies in terms of: 1) establishing appropriate preventive maintenance treatments, 2) evaluating the effectiveness of these treatments, and 3) examining the reported life-cycle cost of various alternatives.

Task Descriptions

1. Project Management
   1. Facilitate communication with the project’s technical panel.
2. Literature Review
   1. Conduct a comprehensive literature review to collect available published data related to highway pavement maintenance and preservation techniques.
3. Reporting
   1. Prepare monthly progress reports and a final research report with useful conclusions and recommendations.
4. Evaluation and Synthesis
   1. Information related to the performance of specific preventive maintenance techniques will be evaluated and synthesized to determine: a) important lessons and practices; b) available techniques that are not used as part of MDT’s pavement management program; c) new and emerging technologies that could be implemented in the future.

Milestones, Dates, Schedule

Student Involvement

True

Relationship to Other Research Projects

True

Technology Transfer Activities

False

TRB Keywords

Pavement maintenance, preservation of pavement, transportation infrastructure, Montana roads

Partners

Montana Department of Transportation