Innovative Framework for Pavement Safety Management: Enhancing National Highway Performance through Integrated Technologies in Pakistan

The rapid expansion of urban and rural road networks in Pakistan has highlighted the critical importance of effective road maintenance. As the country's transportation infrastructure grows, the need for efficient and sustainable pavement management becomes even more pressing. Traditional road maintenance practices, which rely heavily on manual inspections and periodic repairs, have proven to be inefficient and resource-intensive. This research proposes an innovative framework for Pavement Safety Management (PSM), which integrates cutting-edge Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to improve the performance of national highways across Pakistan. The framework focuses on automation, real-time data collection, and data-driven decision-making, offering a more efficient and cost-effective solution to pavement maintenance. Case studies from two Pakistani road maintenance firms demonstrate the practical application of this framework in improving road safety, reducing maintenance costs, and optimizing resource allocation.