Reliable network-level pavement maintenance budget allocation: Algorithm selection and parameter tuning matter.

• A model was created to examine the reliability of maintenance budget allocation. • The model was applied to network-level pavement maintenance in Canada. • The impacts of algorithm selection and parameter tuning were studied. • The significance of pavement clustering in increasing reliability was highlighted. • The importance of incorporating actual pavement improvement curves was clarified. The purpose of this paper is to increase the reliability of the network-level pavement maintenance budget allocation by reducing uncertainties of algorithm selection and parameter tuning. In this paper, reliability is defined as the ability of a network-level pavement maintenance plan to improve the condition of a pavement network within a certain budget. In order to quantify reliability, the reliability index is defined as the ratio between the post-maintenance network condition and the net maintenance cost. With this purpose in mind, a two-objective optimization model was developed. To test its applicability, the model was applied to a pavement network in Canada. The model was solved using the Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II and the differential evolution algorithms. Finally, the reliability indices of algorithms and termination criteria were computed. The results indicated that the differential evolution algorithm recommended less frequent but more intense interventions that made the solutions expensive and less reliable. This paper contributed to the network-level pavement maintenance body of knowledge by (1) developing a multi-objective optimization model to reduce uncertainties of parameter tuning and algorithm selection; (2) increasing the reliability of budget allocation; (3) showcasing the significance of pavement clustering in increasing reliability; and (4) developing and incorporating actual pavement improvement curves. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]