Application of GIS as Support Tool for Pavement Maintenance Strategy Selection

Abstract

Pavement Management System (PMS) is set of tools or methods that can assist decision makers in finding cost effective strategies for providing, evaluating, and maintaining pavement in a serviceable condition. The paper reports how ArcGIS software is used as a decision support tool for the maintenance of road networks; the University of Ilorin paved road network is taken as a case study. Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating was performed on each road in the network using pavement condition rating form and scale. Spatial and aspatial information of the road network which include the digital map of the road network, the coordinates of defect’s location, defect type and size etc. were used to develop a relational database. The database developed in EXCEL software was imported into ArcGIS software to allow for ease of analysis and query of the database and ease of visual and graphical displays of results. The developed package which can easily be updated lends itself to simple and multiple queries of the database such as ‘what is where and where is what’. Results of queries on the pavement condition rating, the needed maintenance budget for the roads and statistical analyses are given in the paper. It is recommended that relevant agencies in the field of road maintenance should explore the use of GIS for the maintenance of pavements and other roadway assets to enhance decision making process.