摘要: |
The funding situation for transportation agencies is not expected to improve in the next several years, forcing agencies to clearly identify investment priorities. As a result, many transportation agencies have instated or are considering asset management as a strategic approach for managing their highway infrastructure. Some of these agencies are taking actions that are directly related to asset management principles, such as shifting funds away from large expansion projects and focusing available funding on the preservation of existing assets. The implementation of cost-effective strategies, such as the use of preventive maintenance treatments on roads and highways in good condition, are becoming increasingly important to make the best use of the available funds by slowing down the rate of pavement deterioration and postponing the need for more costly improvements. The key to successfully navigating this type of economic climate is the availability of reliable asset condition information and economic analysis tools that can quickly simulate the consequences associated with different investment strategies. A number of state highway agencies rely on their pavement management programs to provide this information to support the agency's decisions about pavement-related investments. |