Pavement Management

Baltimore County roads were historically inspected using a subjective system where approximately 33 crew chiefs would divide more than 8,700 County-maintained roads and inspect them in a two-week timespan. The Bureau of Highways is now moving away from these reactive practices toward a data-driven solution—known as pavement management—to understand countywide road and street conditions. Pavement management involves:

• Being proactive in extending the lifecycle of our roads
• Evaluating roads through an equitable and transparent process
• An approach that is completely objective and free of any biases
• Developing strategies for maintenance, preservation, rehabilitation and replacement for County roads

About PCI

The pavement management system rates County roads between 0 to 100 based on a Pavement Condition Index (PCI). The PCI calculates a numerical value for a network, its sub-networks (districts) and its segments (roads). These segments give a more precise understanding of the conditions of each part of a road. PCIs help set short-term, mid-term and long-term goals, and measure their outcomes for the given budget.

The pavement management system rates County roads between 0 to 100 based on a Pavement Condition Index (PCI). The PCI calculates a numerical value for a network, its sub-networks (districts) and its segments (roads). These segments give a more precise understand the previous system followed a “worst first" pavement life cycle, waiting for roads to get to "poor” to maintenance, which cost about $400,000 per lane mile.

The pavement management system follows an “optimum” pavement life cycle, using preventative maintenance. With PCIs, roads are maintained to keep roads at least “good,” which allows for longevity on the road and can make roads last longer.

VIEWING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

To view your neighborhood on an interactive map, follow the instructions below:

1. Go to the My Neighborhood application.

2. Select the Add Data button.

3. Search for the "Road Inventory Conditions" layer.

4. Select Add and the layer will appear on the map.

Data Collection and Processing

The PCI was calculated by using a pavement analysis vehicle (PAV) to examine the County's roads using a laser connected to 4K cameras, which took 2D and 3D profiles of the road surfaces. The collected data was then analyzed to accurately identify cracks in roads throughout the County. The Bureau of Highways group also tracks other planned work that could affect roads (i.e., utilities, sewer or water improvements, etc.) If work is planned on roads that meet the PCI guidelines, those roads would not be paved until after that work is complete. Once roads are reviewed for other planned projects and are cleared, those roads would be reviewed for required ADA work (i.e., curbs and ramp work) that would need to be completed in advance of any paving work.

Pavement Rating

PCI ratings are numerical values given to rate the severity of road distress, based on the ASTM Standard Designation D6433-20, which was developed by the Army Corps of Engineers. The nationally recognized standard was verified and adopted by the Department of Defense and the American Public Works Association. It provides an objective and rational basis for determining maintenance and repair needs, and priorities.

This scale uses eight to 10 pavement distresses to derive a PCI rating automatically using the software. Manual software tools can verify the findings. The County data on the map will be updated monthly to reflect completed road projects.

Pavement Distress Types

Alligator Cracking

Also known as fatigue cracking, cracks appears as a network of interconnected cells that are reminiscent of the scales on a reptile’s back, as seen on Cleghorn Road.

Block Cracking

Block cracking is the cracking of an asphalt pavement into rectangular pieces ranging from about one to 10 feet on a side. Block cracking occurs over large paved areas, such as parking lots, as well as roadways, primarily in areas not subjected to traffic loads, but sometimes also in loaded areas. These cracks on Bosley Avenue appear in the shapes of blocks.

Pushing

Pushing occurs when the asphalt is pushed or rolled over when heavy trucks and buses use the road constantly and often stop in the same area, which causes the asphalt to move, as seen here on Middleborough Road.

No Distress

Citation Road is in good shape. A slurry seal could extend the road for six to seven years.

Treatment Types and Cost

Lane miles (LM) are considered the length of a road in miles multiplied by the number lanes. The treatment costs listed below are in millions.

Repair Strategy for Project Selection

The optimization method takes into account limited resources and enables the Bureau to best use the current budget of $11 million, as the County is currently focusing on poor-rated roads in need of full re-pavement. The selected areas target the most egregious roads in each PCI and focus on improving them, which prevents the roads from moving to the next PCI range and increasing the cost. The roads selected are contingent based on additional construction projects in the area, planned BGE upgrades, environmental concerns or other related issues that could affect a re-pavement moving forward.

In addition, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, DPWT will also address preventative maintenance pavement projects of roads that are rated “good” and “fair.” This work may include crack sealing, patching or micro-sealing based on the rating of the road.

It would cost approximately $400 million to get all County roads up to at least an average rating. The County has experienced a $454 million reduction in highway user revenue from the Maryland Department of Transportation since 2011.