Pavement Life Cycle and the Critical PCI

A critical PCI is defined as the PCI value at which the rate of PCI loss increases with time or the cost of applying localized preventive maintenance increases significantly. The figure below shows a typical pavement life cycle, asserting that if preventive maintenance is performed while the PCI is above critical, the cost will be significantly lower than waiting to repair pavements until after deterioration has accelerated. It also displays the typical range of the critical PCI, which is 55 to 70.

Guidelines set by the Alaska State Legislature require maintaining minimum PCI condition ratings of 70 for runways and 60 for taxiways and aprons.

Revised Critical PCI Threshold for Pavement Modeling

As outlined by the Alaska State Legislature, minimum PCI requirements are set at 70 for runways and 60 for taxiways and aprons. While these standards serve as foundational benchmarks, our current modeling framework introduces a tiered classification system to reflect operational priorities and optimize maintenance planning.

Runways

• Primary Classification: PCI - 70
• Secondary Classification: PCI - 65
• Tertiary Classification: PCI - 60

Taxiways and Aprons

• Primary Classification: PCI - 60
• Secondary Classification: PCI - 55
• Tertiary Classification: PCI - 50

This tiered approach allows for more precise modeling of pavement performance across asset types and usage intensities. It also supports prioritized planning by identifying critical segments earlier, tailoring M&R activities to meet both fiscal constraints and safety requirements while remaining aligned with the intent of legislative guidelines.