What does "pavement design" refer to in highway construction?

Pavement design is fundamentally about selecting the appropriate materials and determining the optimum thickness for the pavement structure that will adequately support the loads imposed by vehicles while ensuring durability and safety over time. This process involves analyzing various factors such as soil conditions, anticipated traffic loads, environmental conditions, and specific performance requirements. By carefully considering these elements, engineers can create a pavement system that minimizes maintenance costs, enhances longevity, and provides a smooth driving surface. The other options focus on aspects that are unrelated to the technical requirements and engineering principles involved in the pavement design process.