ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Infrastructure Maintenance and Rehabilitation (M&R) decision making, either at the network level or at the project level, is based on current (measured) and future (predicted) infrastructure facility conditions. Therefore, accurate predictions of future infrastructure conditions are essential for effective M&R decision-making. Infrastructure condition is often represented by discrete ratings. For example, for bridge decks, the FHWA bridge-rating system is used most commonly. Bridge inspectors employ ratings of 0 to 9, with 9 representing near-perfect condition (FHWA 1979). The use of discrete representation of facility condition makes it necessary to develop discrete models of deterioration (Mauch and Madanat 2001).
