Safety Aspects of Pavement Management Systems
The Importance Pavement Management Plays in Roadway Safety
A pavement management system (PMS) is a crucial component for maintaining and improving roadway safety and overall conditions by providing a structured approach to monitoring, managing, and evaluating pavement assets.
Pavement management systems help agencies make informed decisions about maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction to extend infrastructure lifespan. Safety is a primary consideration in roadway asset management. Poor conditions, including potholes, cracks, and surface problems can lead to serious issues like vehicle damage, traffic congestion, accidents, and potential injury to pedestrians and drivers. A well-maintained road is not just about convenience but is crucial for public safety.
Pavement Management Systems directly contribute to road safety and asset management by identifying high-risk areas, prioritizing repairs, and maximizing resource allocation for proactive maintenance. By combining advanced data collection, predictive modeling, and a strategic approach, PMS improves road safety, reduces accident risk, improves driving conditions for everyone, and reduces potential liability issues for cities and towns.
In this blog post, we will explore how a proactive approach to pavement management enhances safety and why it should be a key focus for municipal transportation agencies.
Understanding Pavement Management Systems
A pavement management system is a proactive, systematic approach an agency can implement to monitor, evaluate, and efficiently maintain its pavement network. The goal of a pavement management system is to optimize performance while minimizing maintenance costs and enhancing road safety and asset management.
Using data-driven insights, a PMS ensures that roadways remain in good condition, reducing risks to both drivers and pedestrians.
The Key Elements of a Pavement Management System
A comprehensive road safety and asset management strategy consists of several essential elements working together. These elements allow agencies to make informed decisions regarding scheduling, maintenance and budget allocation.
An effective pavement management system includes:
Data Collection
Detailed information is collected using advanced technology to determine pavement conditions including surface distress, skid resistance, and structural integrity. Advanced technologies such as laser scanning, LiDAR, and ground penetrating radar are used to collect millions of data points.
Analysis and Evaluation
Collected data is analyzed to determine pavement health and predict deterioration trends. Pavement is given a PCI (pavement condition index) between 0 and 100 to prioritize maintenance. Several factors such as traffic flow, weather, and road usage patterns are used along with the OCI number to determine a course of action.
Maintenance Planning and Implementation
Pavement management includes developing long-term and short-term maintenance strategies, allocating resources and budgets efficiently, and scheduling work to enhance roadway longevity and safety.
The Role Technology Plays in Pavement Management
Technological advancements have radically transformed pavement management and made data collection and analysis more efficient and accurate. Tools like GIS, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and predictive analysis allow the processing of vast amounts of data so agencies can make more informed and proactive maintenance decisions.
Additionally, automated sensors and mobile mapping systems improve real-time monitoring and assessment of roadway conditions. By leveraging technology, modern pavement management systems increase road safety, reduce costs, and ensure sustainable infrastructure management.
The Link Between Pavement Quality and Safety
Pavement condition impacts vehicle control and accident rates. Road conditions play a critical role in vehicle control and traffic safety. Well-maintained pavement provides adequate traction ensuring smooth vehicle operation, reducing the likelihood of accidents.
Deteriorating pavement can lead to increased stopping distances, reduced tire grip, and unpredictable vehicle behavior – especially in inclement weather. When pavement quality is neglected, hazards can emerge significantly, increasing accident risks.
Common pavement safety concerns include:
Potholes: Potholes can cause tire blowouts, loss of control, and vehicle damage.
Rutting: Depressions in wheel paths can trap water. This can lead to hydroplaning and reduced braking efficiency.
Cracking: Longitudinal, transverse, and alligator cracking can weaken pavement structure and create rough driving conditions.
Uneven Surfaces: Pavement irregularities like heavingcan destabilize vehicles and contribute to loss of control.
Research studies and real-world data consistently highlight a connection between pavement deterioration and traffic accidents. According to studies by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), poor road conditions contribute to over 50% of roadway fatalities and injuries. Additional studies have shown that roads with significant surface distress increase the likelihood of single-vehicle crashes by nearly 20%.
A recent case study looked at a highway segment in Texas. This stretch of highway had severe rutting and potholes and saw a 35% spike in accident rates over five years. The segment was again monitored after targeted pavement rehabilitation and accident numbers dropped nearly 25%. This is a direct result and an example of how roadway maintenance can impact traffic safety.
By prioritizing proactive pavement management, agencies can reduce accident risks, lower vehicle repair costs, and save lives.
Pavement Management Systems: Integrated Safety Features
Today, pavement management systems use advanced safety features to proactively identify, and lower risks. By leveraging the latest technology and data-driven strategies, PMS can lower accident rates and improve driving conditions.
Integrated safety features include:
Predictive Maintenance for Accident Prevention
One crucial safety feature in every PMS is predictive maintenance. Using current and historical data, pavement condition assessments, machine learning, and AI agencies can anticipate future road deterioration before it becomes dangerous. By identifying high-risk areas early, agencies can schedule repairs, preventing road failures that could impact drivers. A proactive approach significantly reduces emergency maintenance costs, improves roadway reliability, and extends pavement lifespan.
Skid Resistance
Skid resistance is a factor in vehicle control, especially in severe wet or icy conditions. Pavement management systems incorporate skid resistance monitoring by using friction testing and surface texture analysis to detect areas with low traction. When problems are identified, agencies can deploy corrective repairs like resurfacing with high-friction materials, grooving, or applying anti-skid coatings to improve tire grip and reduce skid-related crash risk.
Road Marking and Signage Maintenance
Clear and visible road markings and signage are essential for guiding and directing drivers and preventing accidents. Pavement management includes regular assessments of pavement markings, lane dividers, pedestrian crossings, and roadside signs to ensure they remain reflective, legible, and compliant with local and federal safety standards.
Faded or damaged markings are quickly identified and restored, improving nighttime visibility and driver awareness, especially in high-speed or high-traffic areas.
The Future of Pavement Management
Technological advancements have enabled agencies to integrate smart sensors into roadways. These sensors allow real-time pavement monitoring. The sensors are embedded in road surfaces and then collect and transmit data on factors like temperature fluctuations, moisture levels, surface distress, and traffic loads.
Real-time information allows agencies to quickly respond to emerging issues like black ice formation, structural weaknesses, or unexpected surface issues, minimizing risks for drivers.
By incorporating these safety features, Pavement Management not only improves pavement lifespan but also ensures safer travel conditions, reducing accidents and enhancing the overall efficiency of road networks.
Transmap is a nationwide provider of professional pavement, roadway, and asset management support services to cities, counties, and municipalities. Using our advanced technologies, we provide excellent customer service and robust full analysis. We are dedicated to maintaining this high standard of data quality while also reducing data collection costs for our clients. To learn more, contact our main office in Columbus, OH at (614) 810–1235.
