Multi-objective optimization for pavement maintenance and rehabilitation decision-making: A critical review and future directions

The next-generation of pavement maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) decision-making needs to weigh multiple strategic goals to achieve sustainable development through the pavement maintenance management system (PMMS). Motivated by good versatility in solving highly complex conflict problems, the application of multi objective optimization (MOO) for pavement M&R has recently become a hot-spot issue. This review aims to provide the state-of-the-art development and application of MOO methods for the PMMS decision-making module and the associated MOO model, decision-making tools, and optimization techniques. The strategic decision-making goals, decision processes, sources and characterization methods of uncertainty, intelligent algorithm followed across the globe were reviewed. Further, the latest development of multi-objective decision-aid tools (MODAT) for PMMS was discussed while emphasizing the importance of establishing joint MOO optimization model of multiple facilities and multiple M&R techniques for PMMS to achieve intelligent decision making. The existing deficiencies and future direction of research have been discussed.