Effectiveness of traffic forecasting on pavement designs in Sri Lankan roads

Abstract

Pavement design plays an important role in any improvement or rehabilitation of road. Therefore, it is a responsibility of the Road Design Engineer to ensure that he has come up with an effective design, so that it will last for the entire design life. This effectiveness or the optimization is very important as otherwise it could lead to financial implications. In this research study, Flexible Pavement Designs of recently rehabilitated or improved set of roads are analyzed to check the effectiveness of traffic forecasting on pavement design in Sri Lankan roads. It also demonstrates the suitability and the applicability of "American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials" (AASHTO) flexible pavement design method for the Sri Lankan roads, as an alternative design method. This study also discusses the present practices of RDA in pavement design and finds a way forward to improve the system.