Pavement Management System

Mobile Pavement Management System (PaMS) | 2010 Pavement Condition Data | 2010 Pavement Condition Report | Historical Pavement Condition Data

Pavement management is a critical component of managing and maintaining the transportation infrastructure. The Grand Valley Metro Council developed a pavement management system (PaMS) as an analytical tool to be used in the transportation planning process.

In 1995 a subcommittee of the GVMC Technical Committee was formed to evaluate various needs associated with developing a pavement management system for the area. The PaMS Committee, with the assistance of a consultant (SME) decided that the PAVER system was the most efficient and cost effective platform for the PaMS. PAVER was originally developed by the Army Corps of Engineers as an airport runway condition system. In later years it was modified to accommodate the inclusion of highway conditions. The PaMS data was gathered over a period of two years. Initial data gathering was begun in the Summer of 1996. The remainder of the network data was gathered in the Summer of 1997.

A unique aspect of the PaMS development was that each road providing member was given the opportunity to have data gathered on their local street system at the same cost as was provided to GVMC. In addition, training was provided on the process of pavement condition data gathering, and the use of the PAVER software. Funding has been allocated through the GVMC to provide software and training technical support to any local road provider who would like to include local roads in their surveys.

Through participation on the PaMS Committee a community was given the opportunity to maintain their own database in regard to which roadway segments have had maintenance work implemented. GVMC staff will be responsible for the maintenance of the entire system on an annual basis. Annually, staff will gather maintenance records or PaMS databases from each of the road providing jurisdictions. Then when the PAVER database has been updated, new condition information can be derived.

Beginning in 1998, the GVMC began gathering information on 1/3 of the system every year, so that the entire functionally classified system will be surveyed at least every three years. Every effort will be made to make sure that the system currently in use by the MDOT is compatible with the local system. The GVMC Pavement Management System will be an invaluable tool for managing and keeping a close inventory on pavement conditions throughout the metropolitan area. The PaMS will provide local decision makers with the data necessary to make well informed decisions on roadway condition improvements.

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