Abstract
We present a framework for road network management to assist road authorities in maintenance budget estimations and long-term maintenance strategies definition. Information about road conditions is obtained from monitoring. Available data are used to estimate and update prediction of degradation evolution. Our decision-making under uncertainty tool is based on a Markov decision process to minimize total expected costs not only from a financial perspective but also from social and environmental ones. This is achieved by combining both technical/condition indicators and performance indicators, i.e., end-user service levels, in the problem formulation. From a practical perspective, our tool can be adapted to different road authority's needs. In this paper we highlight three applications. First, the tool can be used to select and develop new, cost-effective monitoring techniques that sensor relevant condition indicators or end-user service levels. Second, the tool provides decision rules for efficient maintenance strategies as well as long-term policies for budget estimation. Finally, increasing budget restrictions, funding cuts are expected to increase future budgets, but also to have negative social and environmental impacts. This tool can be used to assess impacts of budget cuts.