CALIBRATION OF HDM-4 FOR USE IN PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (PMS)

Abstract

One of major problems of road management in developing countries is the lack of decision making toolsfor preparing road maintenance programmes. This results in poor resource allocation and poor utilisationof existing assets. Pavement management systems (PMS) have been developed around the world in orderto assist with the pavement management process in a co-ordinated and systematic manner. Some developedcountries have derived pavement performance models that are suited to local conditions by setting up longterm pavement performance studies. Conversely, most developing countries do not have the resources requiredto set up similar large-scale field experiments. However, validation and calibration of models developedfrom comprehensive studies elsewhere offers a viable alternative for such countries. This paper evaluatesthe feasibility of using HDM-4 as a support software and determines level 1 calibration factors for PMS inTanzania. The paper demonstrates the use of a calibrated HDM-4 to determine the required road managementinformation in developing countries.