Knowledge Based Advisory System For Flexible Pavement Routine Maintenance PDF Download

One of the most pressing problems facing Canada is the condition of roadway infrastructure. Making good maintenance decisions requires years of practical experience and judgement. Expert systems have great potential for solving pavement maintenance problems that usually require significant human expertises for solution. Expert systems, also known as knowledge-based systems, have been used as a means for conveying pavement maintenance knowledge gained through research and field experience to individuals responsible for maintaining asphalt pavements. An expert system is defined as an interactive computer program which documents judgement, experience, intuition, and other information in order to provide knowledgeable advice. This paper describes the development of PMAS, a pavement maintenance advisory system, which can assist highway engineers in planning effective flexible or asphalt concrete pavement maintenance stsrategies. The system uses two alterntive commercial expert system shells. The system questions the user in a multiple-choice format in everyday English and (or) by using pictures. the user responds by selecting one or more of the choices provided by the system. At the end of the consultation session, the system displays the most appropriate maintenance strategy along with its life expectancy. PMAS facilitates the decision-making process and could serve as a consultant for field engineers.