Development of Adaptive Performance Models for Oklahoma Airfield Pavement Management System

Abstract

The Oklahoma airfield pavement management system (APMS) is a set of pavement management tools that can assist with pavement condition evaluation, as well as prioritization and scheduling of pavement maintenance and rehabilitation activities. Pavement performance models were developed to support the APMS for more than 70 Oklahoma general aviation airports. The family modeling method based on the pavement condition index was tailored to fit the deterioration characteristics of these airfield pavements. The statistical and engineering significance of seven levels of pavement factors was investigated, and pavement factors that affect pavement deterioration significantly were identified as family variables. Asphalt concrete pavement families were formed by sorting pavement function, distress cause, and pavement thickness, while portland cement concrete pavements were divided into families according to pavement function and climate zone. The family polynomial curves were able to reveal the expected deterioration patterns and are logical in engineering principle. Rooted by an adaptive database, the system accepts expert opinion and automatically integrates effects of major maintenance and rehabilitation activities into modeling. From the up-to-date database, the performance models update forecasts automatically.