Deterioration modelling of low volume roads in Australia using laser profilometer measurements

Roughness prediction models play an important and central role in a Pavement Management System (PMS). A successful PMS is highly dependent on the accurate prediction of future pavement performance. Pavement performance prediction models containing the least error will offer road authorities a better understanding of the future remaining life of a network, evaluate affordable programs and estimate future funding needs. Thus, by using a reliable pavement performance prediction model the Pavement Life Cycle Cost (PLCC) of a pavement can be reduced significantly through timely and accurate prioritisation of maintenance strategies. The International Roughness Index (IRI) is the most common and widely used index for measuring network level roughness in Australia. However, the IRI is only capable of measuring roughness at within a certain and limited surface waveband spectrum. Current available roughness indices in Australia are not capable of measuring change in roughness with time over a range of wavebands spectra as observed in the pavement surface. Predicting roughness at various wavebands will enable road authorities to identify the future mode of pavement deterioration and plan for the relevant remedial maintenance actions.