‘Worst-first’ approach ‘inefficient’

The Idaho Transportation Department’s “worst-first” strategy for dealing with deteriorated pavement is “inefficient,” according to the new audit, and should be replaced with a “preservation-first” strategy. Instead of focusing on the roadways with the worst conditions, which then require immediate, costly reconstruction, the state could save money by focusing on an “optimization” approach that uses sophisticated technological tools to target maintenance efforts, focusing on good, fair and mediocre conditions “to keep pavements and bridges in good condition longer.” That approach would take into account both current and forecasted pavement conditions.