Abstract
The highway maintenance scene in the United Kingdom is presented with respect chiefly to the minor (low-volume) road network. A 10-year study of the causes, consequences, and resulting maintenance options is presented based on observations in five highway authorities, at research sites of 100-m length at the worst end of the condition range. Edge- and non-edge-supported roads are featured, with or without positive and natural drainage. A pavement condition index (PCI) was developed comprising structural, surface, and edge indexes from manual surveys. Some correlation was achieved between PCI and profile from machine-based surveys. The concept of a time-independent relationship between rate of change in a number of condition indicators and absolute condition is advanced. Deterioration rates for eight conditions, as well as their variation in relation to causal factor “pairings” and between lost and remaining sites, are included. Some comparisons are made with the annual National Road Maintenance Conditions Survey of all road categories in the range of conditions found in practice.
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