Developing a Pavement Condition Assessment Method for Unpaved Roads Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

Abstract

Approximately 95% of the total road network in Uganda is unpaved, and this heavy reliance on unpaved roads is predominant in most developing countries in the world. Consistent monitoring and evaluation of the condition of these unpaved roads is crucial, given the high risk of sudden pavement deterioration due to traffic and environmental factors. Current condition assessment methods are subjective, labor-intensive, and time-consuming, leading to inconsistent evaluations. This study proposes an enhanced approach for assessing the condition of unpaved roads in Uganda. The novel Gravel Road Condition Index (GRCI) was developed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to convert subjective questionnaire survey results into objective mathematical data. The AHP theory provided a quantitative method for weighting and ranking the nine key road surface distresses for unpaved roads in the Country. The weightings obtained for the nine distresses were a maximum of w1 = 0.311 for inadequate drainage and a minimum of w9 = 0.103 for rutting. The index was tested through an application on a case study road. The GRCI was then compared to the existing condition assessment method in Uganda. The findings indicated that the new method provides a fast, streamlined, and user-friendly procedure for assessing unpaved roads, utilizing objective weightings, and demonstrating consistency in its evaluations. © The Author(s) 2025.