What is the purpose of a "pavement management system"?

The purpose of a pavement management system is to assess, maintain, and manage pavement conditions effectively. This system involves collecting data on the physical state of roadways, evaluating the performance of the pavement, and determining the best actions to take for maintenance and rehabilitation. By systematically analyzing the condition of pavements, agencies can prioritize repairs, allocate budgets wisely, and extend the lifespan of the infrastructure. This comprehensive approach helps ensure that pavements remain safe and functional for users while optimizing costs and resource utilization in the long term. Other options, like regulating material costs or training workers, are not the primary focus of a pavement management system, which is fundamentally centered on the assessment and management of pavement health.