Exploring the Long-Term Impact of Preventive Road Treatments on Municipal Highways

Facing budgetary limitations and deteriorating infrastructure, government agencies and municipalities are contemplating a shift from reactive maintenance and repair (M&R) approaches to preventive M&R for road infrastructure. However, ambiguities concerning the long-term returns of preventive M&R for road systems deter their commitment to this transition. Although previous studies have demonstrated the advantages of preventive M&R, a comprehensive understanding of its value remains insufficient, particularly considering budget restrictions, varying levels of required serviceability, the types of preventive treatments, and the extent of preventive M&R. To bridge this knowledge gap, this study evaluated the economic impact of preventive treatments over the lifespan of urban highways, taking an urban highway in South Korea as a case study. The analysis results reveal a significant decrease in costs beginning after the first decade of the systematic applications of preventive M&R, with potential savings ranging between 20% and 30% over a half-century period. The findings will inform road M&R agencies or municipalities about cost profiles when employing preventive treatment methods (PTMs) for road M&R, thereby facilitating PTM implementation to reduce long-term road M&R budgets.

Government agencies and municipalities, grappling with limited budgets and aging road infrastructure, increasingly are considering preventive maintenance and repair (M&R) strategies over traditional reactive approaches. This shift, although promising, faces uncertainties regarding its long-term economic benefits. Prior research has underscored the advantages of preventive M&R, but a thorough understanding of its financial implications, particularly in the context of budget limitations, diverse serviceability needs, and various preventive measures, still is lacking. This study bridges this gap by evaluating the economic impact of preventive M&R on urban highways, using a South Korean urban highway as a case study. Our findings indicate a notable reduction in costs, especially after the first decade, with potential savings of 20%–30% over 50 years. These results offer crucial insights for road maintenance agencies and municipalities, presenting a clear cost–benefit analysis of implementing preventive M&R strategies. Such information is pivotal in aiding these entities to make informed decisions, potentially leading to significant reductions in long-term road maintenance budgets.