The Road Pavement Condition Index (PCI) Evaluation and Maintenance: A Case Study of Yemen

The pavement condition index (PCI) is a simple, convenient and inexpensive way to monitor the condition of the surface of roads, identify maintenance and rehabilitation (M-and-R) needs as well as ensure that road maintenance budgets are spent wisely. In this research, the pavement condition was evaluated in terms of the surface distresses existing at the time of the field evaluation. The PCI procedure was used in this research because it deals with the subject of pavement distress identification most comprehensively and is based on a sound statistical technique of pavement sampling.

Because of limited maintenance fund availability in Yemen, timely and rational determination of M-and-R needs and priorities are very important factors. The PAVER™ (1982) condition rating procedure, as described in the Technical Manual TM 5-623, Pavement Maintenance Management, which is based on the PCI, was used in this study to evaluate a major heavy-traffic road corridor connecting Aden city (the commercial capital of Yemen) with major cities located in the northern region of the country. Based on the PCI of the road sections, the necessary maintenance or rehabilitation procedure is suggested.