Development of sustainable pavement maintenance treatment options for low-volume rural roads

In India, low-volume rural roads make up ≈80% of the road network but often suffer from neglect due to limited funding and inadequate planning. This study aims to address the critical need to prioritise the maintenance of these roads through a comprehensive approach. This study used the quadruple bottom line framework, which incorporates social, environmental, economic, and technological factors, thus expanding the conventional triple bottom line approach. A detailed literature review identifies seven sustainable pavement maintenance factors. An expert survey using the analytic hierarchy process was conducted to assign weights to five potential maintenance alternatives. Based on this analysis, this study developed the Sustainable Pavement Maintenance Treatment Assessment Index (SPMT-AI), a tool designed to guide the selection of sustainable maintenance treatments for low-volume roads. SPMT-AI was applied to data from eight roads in Hanmakonda District, incorporating distress survey data and International Roughness Index values. The tool provides tailored maintenance recommendations aimed at enhancing the sustainability and effectiveness of road upkeeps. These findings underscore the importance of a multidimensional approach for road maintenance. This study offers a practical framework for prioritising and implementing sustainable treatments, significantly contributing the need for innovative strategies for the maintenance of low-volume roads.