W. Ronald Hudson

Multiobjective optimization in pavement management using genetic algorithms and efficient surfaces

Genetic algorithms (GAs) are becoming an increasingly popular way to search huge solution spaces to find good solutions. Pavement management problems are specialized scheduling problems for which the solution space grows exponentially with the problem size so that the solution space size becomes unmanageable by “true” optimization techniques very quickly. Pavement management is thus ideally suited for directed random search heuristics such as GAs. The formulation of a typical general project-level pavement management problem for solution by GAs is described. Both the single- and the multiobjective cases are discussed, and the results of a series of tests of the performance of the formulations are presented. A very useful insight is then presented to show how the general network problem can be solved using project-efficient surfaces. It is concluded that GAs are an extremely flexible and robust approach to solving myriad forms of pavement management problems and provide a rich area for future research. It is also concluded that using efficient surfaces to break down the network problem into project subproblems holds a great deal of promise for overcoming some of the existing problems of optimization in pavement management.

Pavement Asset Management: Haas/Pavement

This book presents the current methodologies and practical applications of managing pavements. The book contains seven parts that include : Part I: The Evolution of Pavement Management; Part II: Data Requirements; Part III: Determining Present and Future Needs and Priority Programming of Rehabilitation and Maintenance; Part IV: Structural Design and Economic Analysis: Project Level; Part V: Implementation of Pavement Management Systems; Part VI: Examples of Working Systems; and Part VII: Looking Ahead. The chapters are: Introduction; Birth and Teen Years of Pavement Management; Pavement Management Development from 2010; Setting the Stage; Overview of Pavement Management Data Needs; Inventory Data Needs; Characterizing Pavement Performance; Evaluation of Pavement Structural Capacity; Evaluation of Pavement Surface Distress Condition Surveys; Evaluation of Pavement Safety; Combined Measures of Pavement Quality; Data Base Management; Communicating the Present Status of Pavement Networks; Establishing Criteria; Prediction Models for Pavement Deterioration; Determining Needs; Rehabilitation and Maintenance Alternatives; Priority Programming of Rehabilitation and Maintenance; Developing Combined Programs of Maintenance and Rehabilitation; A Framework for Pavement Design; The Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) Process for Pavement Design; The MEPDG for Design of New and Reconstructed Rigid Pavements; Rehabilitation of Existing Pavements; MEPDG in Practice; Economic Evaluation of Alternative Pavement Design Strategies and Selection of an Optimal Strategy; Steps and Key Components of Implementation; Role of Construction; Role of Maintenance; Research Management; Basic Features of Working Systems; Network Level Examples of Pavement Management; Project Level Examples of PMS Software; Highway Design Manual-4 (HDM-4) the Upgraded World Bank Model; City and County Pavement Management Systems; Airport Pavement Management; Analyzing Special Problems; Applications of Expert Systems Technology; New and Emerging Technologies; Institutional Issues and Barriers Related to Pavement Management Implementation; Cost and Benefits of Pavement Management; Future Direction and Need for Innovation in Pavement Management; and Developments in Asset Management.

Continuous highway pavements deflection measurements using a rolling dynamic deflectometer (RDD)

Nondestructive testing of pavements plays an important role int he management of pavement infrastructure. A new technique for continuous profiling of pavements is under development. This technique involves the Rolling Dynamic Deflectometer (RDD). The RDD is a large truck on which a servo-hydraulic vibrator is mounted. The vibrator is used to apply large vertical dynamic loads to the pavement. The resulting dynamic displacements are sensed with rolling sensor. A description of the RDD and procedures used to analyze RDD data are discussed herein. The results of continuous RDD profiling of rigid pavements are presented. These results show that continuous stiffness profiles of displacement per given load of origin pavements can be used to characterize: 1) the pavement stiffness and its longitudinal variation; 2) the location of transverse cracks and joints; 3) the efficiency of transverse cracks and joints; 4) the efficiency of longitudinal joints; and 5) the lateral variation in average mid-span stiffness. Two significant benefits of continuous RDD profiles which are clearly shown are: 1) softer versus stiffer areas are clearly delineated and 2) the variation in joint efficiency is readily identified.

Transportation to Fulfill Human Needs in the Rural/Urban Environment

This paper presents background and initial funding on a multidisciplinary program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Research Program. This program considers transportation problems involving urban and rural travelers and relates to all modes of travel. In several parts of the program, particular emphasis is involved with the Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Airport, one of the largest in the world. Work reported in this paper include: 1. Evaluation transportation problems related to providing essential services to rural and urban dwellers. 2. Study of the effect of interurban transportation systems on the rural environment and the development or demise of the small rural communities. 3. Study of the movement of goods and freight in the Southwest including the impact of the new Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Airport. 4. Development of methodologies for considering human response to the quality of ride and service in developing criteria for the various transportation modes in both urban and rural areas. 5. Study of human response in developing methods of evaluating possible modal choice decisions in both urban and rural areas. While these are broad program areas which will require two to three years for fruition, preliminary results are reported herein which indicate the potential of multidisciplinary university research.