Indian Head Park wins CMAP technical help to build data-driven pavement plan

Indian Head Park on Thursday received the results of a pavement-condition survey funded through a Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) technical assistance grant and performed by Applied Research Associates.

The study, presented by Rami Shkaban of Applied Research Associates, found an average network pavement condition index (PCI) of roughly 83 for village streets and recommended a data-driven preservation strategy to keep the network in good condition while avoiding higher reconstruction costs later.

Why it matters: village officials said residents have raised concerns about road maintenance and the CMAP-funded analysis provides an objective, technology-driven way to prioritize street work, estimate budgets and create five- and ten-year capital plans.

Applied Research Associates used laser scanning, 360-degree right-of-way images and road-profile sensors to detect cracking, raveling and other distresses; technicians then assigned a PCI score from 0 (worst) to 100 (new). Shkaban said the worst section found had a PCI of about 36 (Eastern Avenue), while most streets clustered in the "good" to "satisfactory" range.

The consultants presented treatment matrices that map PCI ranges to appropriate interventions (preservation, minor rehabilitation, reconstruction) and ran budget scenarios. They estimated maintaining the villagewide condition would cost about $207,000 per year; eliminating backlog and raising the network PCI to about 85 would require roughly $250,000 per year. A do-nothing scenario would see network condition fall rapidly.

Shkaban told the board the recommended approach emphasizes preservation (crack sealing, rejuvenation) over expensive reconstruction because preventive work preserves more lane miles per dollar.

Board members pressed for follow-up items: comparisons with a December 2024 engineer's report prepared by Thomas Engineering, a schedule for sharing draft and final reports with the board, and a rollout plan so public-works staff can run scenarios using the PAVER software the consultants recommended.

Village staff said the consultant draft is under internal review and will be shared with staff and the board in the coming weeks; the study team expects to finish the Phase 1 report in summer 2027 for the Wolf Road corridor study's final outreach events.

Whathappens next: consultants provided a draft report; village staff will compare the findings to local engineer reports, develop a five- and ten-year capital roadmap and return recommendations to the board and finance committee for budgeting. The board also discussed training village staff on the pavement-management software so the village can update scenarios in-house.

"One of the things we don't want to do is have someone turn something in and we miss it because of one little item," said a village staff member during questions about permit and planning coordination; the pavement study will inform that budgeting and scheduling work.

Ending: The consultants recommended the village update the pavement-condition survey every five years and reassess assumptions annually so the village can adjust for changing technology, materials and traffic patterns.