Concrete Roads in Pavement Management Systems from Technical To Political Responsibilities

CROW published in 2001 in the Netherlands the new national methodology on Pavement Management Systems on asphalt, block pavements and concrete roads. DHV has been the author of this publication. Two major improvements are implemented in this new methodology: 1. concrete pavements are fully included 2. a connection has been made between technical issues and policy items By these two developments PMS in the Netherlands has grown from a technical instrument to a complete and political decision support system. Pavement management is much more than just to have a technical instrument as PMS. Pavement Management goes as far back as the roads to ancient Rome. Since then not only the knowledge and experience in roadengineering and road-construction has improved, but also the need for a systematic approach on maintenance and management of roads has extensively grown. Because of strong developments on social, financial, integral, environmental and technical matters this need will grow even more. Communication between the policymakers, the users of the public area and the ‘technical’ pavement managers is therefore from the up most importance. A PMS is a vital tool in this communication. In the paper the policy on PMS, the process of PMS itself and the organisation around PMS is discussed. In the mentioned items the relationship between the policymakers and the pavement managers will be underlined and explained. It is important to make the responsibilities clear in an organisation. From our view on pavement management the technician can only inform the policymakers about the consequences of several choices of maintenance. The policymakers are responsible to make decisions about budgets and the obtained quality levels. A PMS is a good tool to support the pavement manager to inform the policymakers about the consequences of several maintenance strategies. It is also very important to make the works clear that are covered by the budgets for maintenance. Within the new methodology on PMS all pavements are included. Subjects that are explained in the paper are for instance: • The process of PMS • The roles and responsibilities of those who are involved in the process • The inventory data on concrete roads • The quality (inspection-method) of the concrete roads • Allocated budgets (Routine maintenance, periodic maintenance, rehabilitation of the concrete roads) • Prioritisation in maintenance on technical and policy items The paper is based on the experience gained by authors in more than 100 implementations of a PMS-system (including several road-funds in Municipalities and Provinces (local agencies and authorities) in the Netherlands.