Discuss the differences between condition and priority assessment models used in developing pavement improvement programs.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Condition assessment is a method for developing single-year programs.
The pavement condition is compared against an established criterion or “trigger
point” to decide whether a deficiency or need exists. Consequently, all sections are
separated into two groups: “now needs” and “later needs”. The condition
assessment model is only concerned with the “now needs”. Having decided upon
which sections need an action, the next step is to select appropriate treatments.
This could involve the use of simple economic analysis methods. If the needs
exceed the budget, a ranking of the potential projects is performed to determine
which of the needs could be deferred to the next year.
Priority assessment, on the other hand, is a method for developing
multiyear programs, and therefore, may be considered an extension of the condition
assessment method. In this method, performance prediction models are used to
predict when each road section will reach its trigger point. That is, instead of
separating the network into two groups as with the condition assessment method,
this method separates the pavement sections into a number of groups according to
the year where action will be needed. The process from this point is essentially the
same as the condition assessment method.