Development of a culvert inventory and inspection framework for asset management of road structures

The deteriorating highway culvert infrastructure has become a major challenge for the 21st century. While more importance usually is given to highway embankments, pavements, and bridges, the maintenance of culverts has commonly been neglected. For the purpose of this study, culvert is defined as storm sewers and drainage structures crossing roads, railroads and highways consisting of concrete, corrugated metal, and plastic materials and spanning less than or equal to three meters (10 feet). As many culverts reach the end of their design life, the departments of transportation (DOTs) overseeing maintenance of road structures are in need of a model to track the existing culverts and forecast their remaining service life. Therefore, the main goal of this research was to assess the status of culvert asset management in the U.S.A. and to develop a framework by providing protocols and condition rating systems for culvert inventory and inspection. Performance scores for the culverts are calculated using an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to determine the magnitude of the deterioration and assist in short- and long-term planning. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a structured technique addressing complex decisions. With prescribing the problem and an appropriate decision, the AHP helps the decision makers to find the one that best suits their needs. The developed model contributes to an effective culvert asset management strategy.