Developing and Using

Condition Indices
Carlos M. Chang, Ph.D., P.E.
Office:A-205
Phone: 915-747-8301
e-mail: cchangalbitres2@utep.edu

Indices
 Subjective ratings that reflect the attitude of
the rater/developer about some observable
attribute

 Background of the developing raters

inherently affects the rating

 Must understand the development to

understand appropriate use of the index 2

Types of Indices
 Function of Types of Condition Measures &
Indicators
 Maintenance Needs
 Functional Adequacy
 Safety
 Structural/Engineering Adequacy

 Sub-portions of above
 Combinations of above
3

1
Types of Indices
 Individual damage type index
 Cracking index
 Skid index
 Combined type index
 Pavement distress index
 Bridge safety index
 Overall Combined index
 Sewer index
 Pavement quality index 4

Usage Levels
 Individual Index
 Used at any level

 Combination Indices
 Primarily network or higher level

Requirements (Shahin, et. al.)

 State of the art
 Standard calculation methodology
 Standard collection methodology
 Network-level
 Expediency
 Reproducibility
 Useful for identifying needs
 Easily understood
 Minimize training time 6

2
Index

 Quantified scale

 Communication tool

 Generally more of an indicator

Quantified Scale and Interval Sizes

 Too Coarse
 Discrimination of rates lost

 Too Fine
 Smaller than rates discrimination

Non Segmented Roughness Rating

So smooth that
no improvement
would produce
noticeable results

So rough that
continuing would
risk damage to
vehicle or injury to 9

occupants

3
 PSI Rating

10 Superior
9 Excellent
8
Very Good
7
Good
6
OK
5
Fair
4 Almost Fair
3 Poor
2 Very Poor
1
Failed
0
10

CI Rating
100
Excellent
85
Very Good
70
Good
55
Fair
40
Poor
25
Very Poor
10
Failed 11
0

Example Indices
 PSI - Functional

 PCI - Engineering

12

4
PRESENT SERVICEABILITY
INDEX (PSI)
 Developed at AASHO Road Test

 Panel of pavement users rated pavements

giving the present serviceability rating (PSR)

 Regression analysis used to develop relation

between PSR and observed condition
information
13

Rating Form Used by

Representative Highway Users

14

PSI is a User Index

 PSI estimates rating of a group of

representative users

 Happiness is a smooth road

15

5
PAVEMENT CONDITION INDEX (PCI)
 Developed by U. S. Army and Air Force
 Panel of pavement maintenance engineers rated
pavements giving the present condition rating
(PCR)
 Regression analysis used to develop relation
between PCR and observed distress
 Found nonlinearity in deducts for multiple
occurrences

16

Instructions - Please rate the

pavement using the subjective rating
scale shown. You should base your
rating on the structural integrity and
operating condition of the pavement
surface.

Using the subjective rating scale

shown, how would you rate this
pavement (excellent to failed).

Give an approximate numerical

score to the pavement (100 to 0).

Please indicate the major factors which

influenced your rating. 17

Deduct Curves
 Reduction of PCI value if only one distress
type-severity combination present

18

6
 For One Distress Type-Severity Combination

Quantity 19

Step 1. Inspect sample units to determine type, quantity and severity

level of pavement distresses
Low Severity Medium Severity
Longitudinal Cracks Alligator Cracks

Step 2. Determine Deduct Values.

Alligator Cracking
L & T Cracking 100
100 H
H M
M Deduct
Deduct L
L Value b
Value
a
0
0 0.1 Density 100
0.1 100
Density

Step 3. Compute Total Deduct Value, TDV = a + b.

Step 4. Adjust Total Deduct Value.

100 q =1 2 3 4

Corrected CDV
Deduct
Value q = Number of entries with
TDV deduct value over 5 points
0
0 100 200
Total Deduct Value
Step 5. Compute Pavement Condition Index,
PCI=100-CDV, for each sample unit inspected. 20
Step 6. Determine Pavement Condition Rating.

Alligator Cracking

100
80 H
De duct V alue

M
60 L
40
20
0
0.1 1 10 100
Distress Density - Percent

21

7
 Block Cracking

100

80
De duct V alue

H
60

40 M
L
20

0
0.1 1 10 100
Distress Density - Percent

22

Deduct Values
 Not additive

 Impact of one medium severity transverse

crack on:
 New street

23

PCI Is An Engineer's Index

 PCI estimates rating of a group of pavement
maintenance engineers

 Happiness is a well maintained road

 Cracks sealed
 No potholes
 No rutting

24

8
Developing Indices:
Postulate Your Model
 What are you trying to measure

 How will you measure it

 To What (or Who) will you relate it

25

Problems with Indices

26

Benefits of Indices
 Combine much information into a single
number
 Facilitates direct comparisons
 Among sections
 Over time
 Permits mathematical manipulations
 Projected condition
 Masks minor differences
27

9
Conclusions
 Indices are useful tools
 Primarily at network and higher levels
 Reflect the view of the developing group

 Need to be used appropriately

28

10