Comprehensive assessment of road pavement performance using modern diagnostic technologies: insights from Uzbekistan’s evolving infrastructure

Abstract

Ensuring the long-term durability and operational efficiency of highway pavements remains a fundamental challenge for developing nations such as Uzbekistan, where diverse climatic conditions, combined with intensifying vehicular traffic and inadequate historical maintenance practices, significantly accelerate the rate of pavement degradation. This research presents a comprehensive and systematic methodology for assessing the technical condition and service performance of road pavements through the application of advanced diagnostic tools and internationally recognized performance evaluation standards. Central to the study is the integration of key performance indicators, including the International Roughness Index (IRI), the Pavement Condition Index (PCI), and structural capacity assessments conducted using the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD). These indicators provide a quantitative framework for evaluating surface roughness, visual distress, and structural integrity, respectively. The study encompasses both field data collection and analytical evaluation across representative pavement sections in Uzbekistan, capturing the effects of environmental stresses, traffic loads, and construction quality. Through the synthesis of diagnostic data, the research identifies the most critical factors contributing to pavement deterioration, such as thermal cracking, rutting, moisture infiltration, and subgrade instability. Based on these findings, the study proposes a set of optimized, context-specific maintenance and rehabilitation strategies aimed at extending pavement life, reducing lifecycle costs, and improving road safety and user comfort. The results of this investigation contribute valuable insights for transportation agencies, infrastructure planners, and policy-makers, offering a data-driven foundation for prioritizing investments and enhancing the resilience and sustainability of national road infrastructure. Moreover, the study advocates for the widespread adoption of modern pavement evaluation technologies and performance-based maintenance planning as essential components of a forward-looking, cost-effective asset management system in Uzbekistan and similar emerging economies.