Challenges on Asphalt Pavement Maintenance Management System (A Case of Jima District Federal Roads)

Abstract

Pavement maintenance management system is a set of tools that helps decision-maker to determine optimum strategies for existing pavement condition by evaluation and maintenance of the pavement to reserve acceptable serviceability for the desired period. Jimma district Ethiopian Roads Authority manages the entire district pavement, currently the district road network coverage 2.23% of the whole country. Literature also indicates that most of the district roads severely suffers from lack of proper maintenance and management, there is also an absence of well-compiled inventory, condition survey data, database system, treatment selection, etc. as per the procedure of pavement maintenance management technic. Quantitative and qualitative research of explanatory type was adopted to assess the existing practice and recommend a solution for the problems. The overall approach to be followed were; having established the basis of the research, necessary data was collected, analyzed, and conclusions and recommendations were made based on the findings. The methods of data collections employed for the research were a desk study, questioner, and interview. The case study was analyzed concerning theoretical suggestions, and the responses obtained from the questioner and interview were also be analyzed. Through interviews and questionnaire surveys of professionals; the present pavement maintenance management practice of Jimma district was assessed and responses were graded by the average index method. The finding of this study implies that Jimma district ERA doesn’t conduct adequate pavement condition evaluation (PCI, IRI, PSI, Etc.), data organization, pavement rating, prioritizing and treatment selection that can be sound input for decision-maker for the determination of optimum strategies to perform maintenance acceptable service for the desired period and maintenance options It can be concluded that the main challenges in the district are the absence of a well established pavement management system, well-defined maintenance prioritizing method, and treatment selection techniques. In line with this, the district does not use any data integration system apart from the absence of any economic evaluation analysis method. ERA/Jimma district shall implement giving sufficient attention to the sector, allocate adequate budget, improve the skill of professionals, and adopt a well-organized pavement management system