Ravirala, V (1995) Multi-criteria optimization methodologies for highway program development. PhD thesis, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA.
Abstract
This study presents multi-criteria optimization methodologies for multi-year and annual program development involved in highway management. Developed and implemented are a set of methodologies for both project and network level decision analysis. Project level methodologies facilitate implementation of tasks such as pavement condition characterization, treatment planning, and life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA). Network level optimization methodologies provide a decision making capability to develop the multi-year and annual maintenance and rehabilitation programs. The scope of research work includes four important tasks, namely: (1) statistical analysis of distress and roughness data to characterize and assess pavement condition; (2) development of methodologies for treatment planning, LCCA, and multi-year and annual pavement program planning; (3) demonstration and validation of developed methodologies through case studies, and (4) development of a methodological decision framework that integrates the system modules into operational activities of a pavement management system (PMS). Important contributions of the study include: a rational and analytic method of condition characterization; a state increment method of planning treatment options; a comprehensive and computationally efficient method of LCCA; and optimization methodologies for the multi-year and annual program development. The study also investigated application of cost modeling concepts based on scale and scope of treatment for improved accuracy in economic analysis. The usefulness of the methodologies has been demonstrated through case study applications to New York State Thruway Authority's (NYSTA) pavement network. Important findings from this comprehensive research effort are presented and discussed. The study concludes that the presented comprehensive and coherent set of project and network level methodologies provide a set of versatile decision-making tools that can be institutionalized in NYSTA to support highway management activities. Significant direct benefits to NYSTA from this research include: a customized pavement management system that enables highway managers to make consistent and cost effective decisions regarding the pavement network; capability to optimally allocate funds; and ability to devise effective policies that achieve feasible goals considering multiple criteria. The contributions from this research will foster development of a comprehensive integrated infrastructure management system. Potential exists for NYSTA to better manage its facilities by optimal allocation of resources across pavements, bridges, canals, and other infrastructure components.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Grivas, D A |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | highway; decision making; infrastructure management; rehabilitation; cost analysis; decision analysis; life cycle cost; statistical analysis; case study; economic analysis; validation; bridge; pavement |
| Index terms: | module, option, implementation, modelling, infrastructure management, case study, distress, statistical analysis, decision analysis, decision framework, validation, program, methodology, decision-making, economic analysis, management system, canal, cost analysis, manager, accuracy, life cycle cost, New York |
| Subjects: | architectural elements, management, structural engineering, research methods, software systems, Geography, professional development, infrastructure engineering, decision analysis, infrastructure and transport systems, data collection methods, practitioner, design analysis, data science, contractual arrangements, analytical methods, financial and cost management |
| Topics: | Information Management, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Cost Management, Procurement, Risk Management, Roles and Professions, Digital Applications, Design Practice, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here