Abstract

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is responsible for inspecting, maintaining, and improving 27,000 centerline miles of pavement. Given the vastness of the state’s transportation network, KYTC needs a robust method for prioritizing pavement preservation projects. The Cabinet has relied on pavement condition ratings, data collected using Laser Crack Measurement Systems, and input from district-level staff to prioritize these types of projects. But this approach overlooks information that should be considered, such as factors related to safety, mobility, and geographic context. To resolve these shortcomings, Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) researchers worked with KYTC subject-matter experts to develop the Enhanced Pavement Prioritization Index (EPPI). This index, partially modeled on methods adopted by other states, can be used to approach project prioritization more holistically. Potential projects are scored on 10 final factors after testing eliminated two variables due to data issues. The factors are grouped into three categories — Condition, Mobility, and Safety. Weights were assigned to each factor through the Analytic Hierarchy Process. Two factors are included in the Condition category: Pavement Distress Index and Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) Cracking %. The Safety category also has two factors: Mean SCRIM Coefficient (MSC) and Rutting. And the Mobility category includes six factors: Average Daily Traffic, Average Daily Truck Traffic, Snow and Ice Priority System, Truck Route, Functional Classification, and the Criticality Index. The EPPI can be refined by KYTC over the next several budget cycles as it is put into practice ranking potential pavement projects.

Report Date

7-2025

Report Number

KTC-25-01

Digital Object Identifier

https://doi.org/10.13023/ktc.rr.2025.01

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