MICROCOMPUTER PROGRAM TO ASSIST IN LOW-VOLUME ROAD REHABILITATION DECISION MAKING.

An approach to optimizing expenditures of road rehabilitation funds is outlined using U. S. Forest Service roads in the Appalachian region as an example. Main components of the approach are a technique for identifying deficient road links, a line deterioration model, and a network investment strategy optimization model. The focus of this paper are the details of a guided decision-making tool for determining whether a road link is a candidate for upgrading. From a list of physical and operational roadway characteristics warranting upgrading, a flowchart was developed to encourage engineers or planners to think in a logical step-by-step fashion about the rehabilitation needs of a particular roadway link. An interactive microcomputer program has been written for both the Apple and IBM PC computers to facilitate use of the model. The model is flexible enough that it can be easily modified or enhanced based on local conditions.