Assessment of pavement condition index: a case of flexible road pavements on the university of agriculture Makurdi Campus

Abstract

This study assessed the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of flexible road pavements on the University of Agriculture Makurdi (UAM) Campus. The ASTM D6433 standard manual for assessing flexible road pavement condition manually was adopted. Analysis of results using descriptive statistics revealed that over 65% of the road pavement on the UAM campus were rated within the range of poor to failed state. Some segments at different routes were rated as fair and above (up to good) conditions, these routes and their corresponding percentages for fair and above conditions included; the Ring Road (RR) at 69.3%, University Entrance Gate - Clinic Junction (GCJ) route at 42.9%, Hostel Junction - Water Works (HJWW) at 33.3%, Clinic Junction - Ring Road Junction (CRRJ) at 26.7%, Staff Quarters Street (SQS) at 25%, South Core Bus Station – Entrance Gate Junction (SCG) at 9.1% and South Core Bus Station - Veterinary Auditorium (SCV) at 0%. The RR route had relatively high percentage of fair to good road pavement segments, while the SCV route had relatively high fraction of pavement with worse condition. Timely and total rehabilitation of flexible road pavement on the UAM campus were recommended since over 65% of the road network is at deplorable state, the prompt rehabilitation of the worse routes such as the SCV and SCG routes (having the least % for fair and above conditions) should be given priority. Also, the patching of potholes at this stage of deterioration is essential to prevent further damages and thereby reducing cost of rehabilitation in the future.

Keywords: Flexible road pavement, Pavement Condition Index (PCI), maintenance strategies, pavement rehabilitation, surface distress and University of Agriculture Makurdi