Enhancing Pavement Management Through a Comprehensive Framework for Pavement Condition Index (PCI) Evaluation of Asphalt and Concrete Pavements

The Pavement Condition Index (PCI) is one of the most widely used methodologies for assessing the surface condition 
of asphalt (flexible) and concrete (rigid) pavements. As transportation infrastructure continues to age under increasing 
traffic demands, environmental stresses, and constrained maintenance budgets, the need for consistent, objective, and 
cost-effective pavement evaluation tools has become critical. This paper presents a comprehensive framework for 
PCI evaluations in accordance with ASTM D6433, including a detailed review of its application to both asphalt and 
concrete pavements. The methodology involves visual identification of distress types, severity levels, and quantities, 
which are converted into deduct values to determine PCI at the sample-unit and section levels. The study summarizes 
the major distress mechanisms observed in flexible and rigid pavements including structural, climate/durability-related, 
and other surface-related deficiencies and highlights their implications for pavement performance and service life. 
Evaluation results further emphasize the significance of the “critical PCI range, below which deterioration accelerates 
and rehabilitation becomes more cost-effective than routine maintenance. General maintenance, rehabilitation 
recommendations, and short-term remediation strategies are provided for asphalt and concrete pavements depending 
on their PCI levels. The proposed framework aims to support agencies and practitioners in implementing systematic 
pavement management programs that optimize maintenance investments and extend pavement service life.