Evaluation of asphalt pavement maintenance practices in Kuwait

Abstract. Efficient pavement maintenance practice is a major factor in sustaining high quality roads. Inadequate construction practices and failure to comply with maintenance guidelines and specifications can result in road early deterioration and surface defects such as cracking, raveling, rutting, and potholes. Thus, this study is part of a gap analysis aimed at understanding and evaluating pavement maintenance practices in Kuwait and compare it with international standards. For this purpose, a maintenance and rehabilitation project launched by Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR) was used as a case study. A group of engineers from KISR was assigned to observe and document plant production operations and onsite operations using photographs, video recordings, and drafted observation checklists. The observations have shown that some aspects could improve onsite maintenance practices such as surface preparation, manpower competency, reliability and adequacy of machinery and equipment, which affect the asphalt quality. The practices observed during this study, particularly regarding the lack of a local maintenance guide, contrast with international best practices, such as those prescribed by International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which emphasize comprehensive manuals for maintenance and certification programs. Many countries, including the U.S. and Germany, require comprehensive training and certification for maintenance personnel. Implementing a similar approach in Kuwait could improve long-term infrastructure durability.