Road surface condition evaluation involves the collection of data over pavement surface for different types of distresses. The exercise consumes a lot of resources if the whole road section length is surveyed and may ...Road surface condition evaluation involves the collection of data over pavement surface for different types of distresses. The exercise consumes a lot of resources if the whole road section length is surveyed and may be prone to errors as a result of surveyors' fatigue. It is therefore important to develop a representative sample to be used when evaluating road condition manually. This study aimed at determining an adequate sample size for section level as well as a way forward for network level condition evaluation of highways in Nepal. Again the study was conducted to quantify the effects of altering the sample unit size for performing a distress survey according to the PCI (pavement condition index) and SDI (surface distress index) method separately for asphalt surfaced roads. The effect of reducing/increasing sample unit size was investigated adopting visual examination through field survey by eight teams in July, 2015, along the section of Banepa-Bardibas highway. The PCI was then calculated for each sample unit using standard deduct curves and PCI calculation methodology as per SHRP (Strategic Highway Research Program) recommendations and the computation of SDI was done as per DoR (Department of Roads) guidelines. The results show that 13% sample unit are needed for SDI and 21% for PCI computation, however, the results are out of the significant level. This is higher than DoR and SHRP guidelines. Again no strong relationship is observed between SDI and PCI values.展开更多
文摘Road surface condition evaluation involves the collection of data over pavement surface for different types of distresses. The exercise consumes a lot of resources if the whole road section length is surveyed and may be prone to errors as a result of surveyors' fatigue. It is therefore important to develop a representative sample to be used when evaluating road condition manually. This study aimed at determining an adequate sample size for section level as well as a way forward for network level condition evaluation of highways in Nepal. Again the study was conducted to quantify the effects of altering the sample unit size for performing a distress survey according to the PCI (pavement condition index) and SDI (surface distress index) method separately for asphalt surfaced roads. The effect of reducing/increasing sample unit size was investigated adopting visual examination through field survey by eight teams in July, 2015, along the section of Banepa-Bardibas highway. The PCI was then calculated for each sample unit using standard deduct curves and PCI calculation methodology as per SHRP (Strategic Highway Research Program) recommendations and the computation of SDI was done as per DoR (Department of Roads) guidelines. The results show that 13% sample unit are needed for SDI and 21% for PCI computation, however, the results are out of the significant level. This is higher than DoR and SHRP guidelines. Again no strong relationship is observed between SDI and PCI values.