This paper proposes an Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP) theory based method to determine the weight of the decision-making influence factors, considering their relative significance and generating an overall ranking for each road section. A case study on the highway network maintenance priority was conducted to illustrate the proposed procedure. A total of five pavement maintenance decision-making related factors were considered in the study, including pavement performance, pavement structure strength, traffic loads, pavement age and road grade. The weightings of the five factors were quantified through AHP method. Then, the comprehensive ranking index value Ui was determined, which indicated the maintenance priority of a road section in network level decision-making. From the aspect of maintenance cost, the sensitivity analysis results were in accordance with the weightings of different maintenance decision-making factors. The pavement maintenance cost was significantly sensitive to the change of pavement performance. The case study clearly demonstrated the applicability and rationality of the AHP theory based decision-making method and it can be used as a guideline for pavement maintenance agencies.

INTRODUCTION

Most of the highways in Jiangsu Province were built more than 10 years ago and distresses with various types and severity levels have occurred on the pavement surface. With the development and expansion of highway network, more and more highways meet varying degrees of deterioration. Pavement maintenance, which aims to restore the safe and comfortable riding for road users, has drawn more and more attentions of pavement maintenance engineers. However, due to the limited annual maintenance budget) and it is difficult to meet the demand of all the highway pavement maintenance. Therefore, it is an important issue for highway agencies to optimize pavement maintenance strategy considering various factors. Due to the lack of historical pavement condition and traffic data, and analysis methods, only limited findings on pavement maintenance decision-making in china were attained. Nowadays, highway weight charge system has been extensively used in China and comprehensive axle loads data are available. Routine pavement performance survey is carried out by the highway management agency every year and the pavement condition data have been recorded in the developed Pavement Management System (PMS) in Jiangsu Province. Detailed information of pavement structure, weather, environment, traffic level, axle loads and pavement performance detection are also included in the PMS. With those systematically collected pavement related data available, it is of great interests to incorporate all of those factors into pavement maintenance decision-making.