ABSTRACT
The broad objective of road maintenance is to keep roads as nearly as possible in original condition. However, the resources available for road maintenance are usually limited in industrialized as well as emerging and developing countries. This suggests a more comprehensive statement of the objective of maintenance is needed, such as (Gichaga and Parker 1988):
To conserve, as nearly as possible, the original designed condition of paved and unpaved roads, and of traffic signs, signals and markings, in a manner most likely to minimize the total cost to society of vehicle operation and accident cost, plus the cost of providing the maintenance itself, under the constraints of severe resource limitations, in respect of skilled manpower, equipment and money, both local and foreign.
