Influence of GIS on sustainable pavement maintenance: a comparative review

Abstract

Abstract Road transportation remains dominant in passenger and freight movements across Africa. Yet, a majority of the countries in Africa do not perform proactively in ensuring the sustainability of highway infrastructure. This research reviews recent literature in recognizing the state-of-the-practice on the application of GIS-based techniques in sustainable pavement maintenance, hence promoting a systematic approach for highway maintenance management. Furthermore, it compares contemporary maintenance practices in the five major African regions to highlight the differences and similarities. Most countries have since implemented institutional reforms such as the provision of road funds and agencies, thereby making substantial improvements on road maintenance. However, several challenges, including inadequate financing, lack of technical expertise, poor administration, and lack of continuous research and development still hinder sustainable road maintenance in Africa. Hence, most African countries still depend solely on budget financing while adopting delayed and reactive approaches to highway maintenance activities. The study revealed that sustainable methods of pavement maintenance have neither been incorporated in policy nor practices involving highway pavement management in most African nations. And as such, it encourages respective road agencies to integrate GIS-based techniques into road maintenance management at all functional levels to promote sustainability.