2013 - Korea - Section Based Multifunctional Calibration Model for HDM-4 PDWE

Deterioration forecasting modeling is an essential element for an efficient pavement management system. The HDM-4 (Highway Development & Management-4) model developed by the World Bank is widely distributed to more than 100 countries around the world. However, many users often point out problems related to calibration limitations, and question the reliability of their results due to the extremely large number of variables, and difficulty in the calibration procedure of deterioration  models in the HDM-4. The current calibration method based on the Network-based approach which was introduced by the HDM-4 developer and has several limitations in describing the precise deterioration progress, and practical application. In fact, many HDM-4 users often give up implementation due to these reasons. To mitigate these problems, this paper suggests an improved calibration method for the HDM-4 deterioration models relevant to the deterioration speed and shape of the curve. The benefits are not limited to only high precision calibration, but also easy application by minimum data, and covering problems on incomplete pavement inventory data which are considered the most serious problems in the application of the HDM-4. The validity of the suggested methods was empirically shown through experience with the national highways in Korea. This paper could be a good reference for the implementation of the current HDM-4 model, as well as its future improvement.