Pavement Maintenance Management of Urban Road Networks Using MicroPaver (Case Study: Astara City)

Urban pavements in transit-heavy cities frequently suffer from rapid deterioration caused by heavy traffic loads and constrained financial resources. To address this, the implementation of data-driven Pavement Management Systems (PMS) is essential for efficient maintenance planning and optimal resource allocation. This study evaluates the effectiveness of MicroPaver software in managing the urban road network of Astara, Iran a critical transit hub characterized by significant port activities, customs facilities, and high volumes of heavy vehicle traffic. Researchers defined sample units across the network and conducted field surveys to calculate the Pavement Condition Index (PCI). Using a performance model based on a critical PCI of 55 and an average daily traffic volume of approximately 4,600 vehicles, the study simulated the network’s condition over a 10-year period under four distinct management scenarios. The findings highlight the risks of inaction: in the absence of a structured maintenance program, the network’s average PCI declined from 71.58 to 64.86. Furthermore, scenarios constrained by limited budgets resulted in widespread neglected sections and accelerated pavement deterioration. Conversely, increasing budget allocations and prioritizing preventive maintenance strategies proved highly effective in controlling distress and preserving network serviceability. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that leveraging data-based PMS, coupled with a focus on preventive maintenance, is a vital strategy for improving infrastructure performance. This approach not only mitigates long-term deterioration but also enables the optimization of limited municipal funds in high-traffic urban environments.