2014 Asia-Pacific Computer Science and Application Conference, ISBN: 978-1-135-68498-7 Practical Application of Road Condition Assessment System to Road Networks in Timor-Leste X. da C. Hugo, H. Emoto and A. Miyamoto Yamaguchi University, Japan S. Aleixo, National University of Timor Lorosae, Timor-Leste ABSTRACT: Recently, road pavement surfaces have seriously deteriorated due to aging and the increasing number of heavy vehicles. Therefore, appropriate maintenance is required for the road to provide service over a long time. Many efforts have been made by road experts for maintenance of the road pavement surface. However, there are some problems due to cost performance and vehicle running costs. Therefore, we have tried to develop a more rational assessment system using the latest information and technology. This paper is about the practical application of a road condition assessment system applied in Timor-Leste road networks to evaluate the serviceability of existing road pavement surfaces. The system will evaluate the condition of pavement surfaces using video recording and motion sensor to obtain Z-axis (vertical) acceleration data. This system was developed using the visual basic application. 1 INTRODUCTION Timor-Leste is one of the least developed countries in the region. Its nonoil economy is characterized by slow and unstable growth, although there has been recent strong growth in urban centers, particularly in the capital city. The economy is essentially agriculture-based, with about 72% of the total population of 1.1 million living in rural areas. Subsistence farming provides the main source of livelihoods for the large majority of rural people with limited production of agricultural products, mostly coffee, for cash income. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced that agricultural productivity Timor-Leste is low compared with other countries in the region. Despite development efforts in recent years, the poor condition of basic infrastructure in general and the road network in particular remains a key constraint (Government of Timor-Leste, 2011). According to the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL), Timor-Leste has a relatively dense road network, with a total estimated length of 6,036 km. It includes 1,426 km of national roads, 869 km of district roads, 716 km of urban roads, and 3,025 km of unpaved rural roads. Overall, the road network is in a bad condition. A recently completed study funded by the European Commission surveyed 730 km of rural roads accessible by vehicle and found about 69% of these to be in a bad or very bad condition. It is, therefore, estimated that 90% of the total rural roads network is in a bad or very bad condition. National and district roads are also in a poor condition. Roads constitute the primary mode of transport in Timor-Leste, carrying 70% of freight and 90% of passengers. The ADB study affirmed that, due to the poor condition of rural roads, rural people face increased travel times and transportation costs and are isolated in terms of access to social and economic facilities and services, such as local markets, schools, health facilities, job opportunities, government services, and banking services (Asian Development Bank of Timor-Leste, 2013). Indication of road pavement damages addresses to ultimate causes; one example is the overloading of a heavy vehicle at an exponential rate of the average power fourth. In addition, most roads in Timor-Leste do not receive proper maintenance, especially in rural areas. It is, therefore, desired to analyze the main factors causing the lack of maintenance and, therefore, to propose means by which they can be improved. Particular emphasis will be placed on the provision and maintenance of road pavement systems, the failure of which is probably the main reason for the poor performance of Timor-Leste’s roads. This paper introduces a road condition assessment system to evaluate the serviceability of existing road pavement surfaces in Timor-Leste. The system is suitable to the condition of Timor-Leste as a developing country because it is a rational system that uses the latest information and technological devices at a relatively low cost. 2 ORDINARY METHODS FOR ROAD CONDITION ASSESSMENT AND RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE