Collection and recording of field inspection information are probably the most frequently repeated tasks in PAVER. Recognizing this, the field inspection procedures have been dramatically revised and expanded for this version of PAVER. Inspection information can now be imported from various independent field data collection programs, entered conveniently from paper forms filled out in the field, or simultaneously entered, edited, and examined using a browse form. Currently, the single most common method for collecting and recording PAVER inspection data is to record field information on paper forms, then entering the data into the computer at a later time.

The first step in implementing a pavement management system any organization is to create a network. A hierarchical relationship exists between pavement inventory items in PAVER. Networks are the parents of branches, and in turn branches are the parents of sections. Sections are the smallest evaluation unit for work done on pavements. When inspecting a pavement network, it can be difficult for surveyors to find individual sections and sample units directly from a map. PAVER enables you to store pictures of individual sections and sample units, as well as images of example distresses to expedite the inspection process. The EMS Image Server manages the process of saving, recalling, viewing, and enhancing pictures, drawings and other stored images in the PAVER program.

The Reports section is designed to provide information in a variety of formats:

• Summary Charts User defined graphical comparison of two attributes in the database.
• Standard Reports From version 4.2—Inventory, Listing, Condition and Work History Reports.
• Re-Inspection Report Lists distresses from the last inspection for each sample and includes extrapolated quantities for section based on sample unit quantities.
• Flexible Reports Allows user to define a report matrix.
• GIS Reports (Available only with a linked GIS coverage)—General info and Last PCI information.

The Condition Analysis feature allows you to view the condition of your entire pavement network or any specified subset of the network. In the context of pavement management, this ability is critical to the processes of analyzing trends (past), accurate forecasting (future), and a clear view of current conditions (present). The analysis is based on prior inspection data, interpolated values between previous inspections and projected conditions based on family assignment. You can specify inventory items for the on-line database or invoke the EMS Query Tool to specify a subset of the on-line database. You can specify the starting year for the report and the number of years to predict. The starting year can either be a past year, the current year, or a future year. The report can also be based on the arithmetic average of section conditions or on the weighted section average condition.

The essence of the condition prediction (family) modeling approach is to identify and group pavements of similar construction that are expected to be subjected to similar traffic, weather, and other factors that affect pavement performance. Historical inspection (condition) data can be used to build a model that can accurately predict the future performance of a group of pavements that possess similar attributes. This model (life cycle plot) is assigned a name, and in the PAVER vocabulary it is referred to as a “family.”

Each pavement section in PAVER is assigned a family. When predictions about the future performance of a pavement section are desired, a section’s family assignment is used to predict its future condition. If the user has not assigned a family model to a section, PAVER will use its default family to predict future pavement performance. However, such factors as original construction, maintenance, weather, traffic, etc. will greatly affect the life of a pavement. Thus, a generic guess, like the default family, is unlikely to be as accurate as a model that takes these factors into consideration. The Condition Prediction Model is designed to allow users to blend unique knowledge about their pavements, measured local condition information, and a powerful modeling tool together to produce highly accurate estimates of future pavement life.

The PAVER Work Plan is a tool for planning, scheduling, budgeting and analyzing alternative pavement maintenance and repair (M&R) strategies. The M&R Plan utilizes basic inventory data combined with inspection information, maintenance policies, maintenance costs and predictions about future pavement condition. Work Plan results are specific to your site. All factors used in determining the M&R or construction activity to apply or the costs to use can be configured to reflect your pavement management practices and costs.

The PAVER GIS program provides Geographical Information Systems (GIS) capabilities for viewing and presenting pavement inspection and work plan information available to PAVER users. The PAVER GIS program assists in the setup and maintenance of your paver data in format compatible with Environmental Systems Research Institute’s (ESRI) ArcView software. PAVER integrates GIS into the program using Map Objects Lite as an internal viewing tool.

PAVER Version 6.0 operates in Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows XP, and Windows Vista environments. The software is optimized when the application is loaded on each individual workstation. For multi-user environments, the database(s) can be located on a network server. PAVER 6.0 utilizes MS Access 2000 for its data structure.