Blading Optimization: Reverting from Theory to Practice

The first attempt to develop and implement an optimization module to minimize agency costs and vehicle operating costs in the Western Cape, South Africa, was considered unsuccessful. Routines incorporated the current roughness of the road; deterioration as a result of traffic, climate, and materials; and improvement in roughness after the road was bladed and calculated the blading sequence of road sections in a road network. Lessons about both appropriate principles and practical issues learned in the development process highlighted that generalization of gravel road deterioration can lead to incorrect decisions. Although computerized routines are of value, the complexities and variability of maintenance requirements suggest that optimization of grader maintenance is a reiterative process into which local knowledge, all constraints and variables, as well as computer technology must be incorporated. This paper describes a revised practical approach and process for the development of a grader maintenance business plan. The process has been implemented with success by road authorities in southern Africa and will be published as a best practice in the TRH 20 national guideline document, "Technical Recommendations for Highways: Structural Design, Construction, and Maintenance of Unsealed Roads."

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.3141/2204-02
• Summary URL:
  http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=Blading+Optimization%3a+Reverting+from+Theory+to+Practice&author=G.+Van+Zyl&publication_year=2011
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/LowVolume_Roads_2011_Volume_2_165779.aspx
• Authors:
  • Van Zyl, Gerrie
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 11-20
• Monograph Title: Low-Volume Roads 2011, Volume 2
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
  • Issue Number: 2204
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Best practices; Computer models; Grading (Earthwork); Gravel roads; Highway maintenance; Low volume roads; Optimization; Unpaved roads
• Geographic Terms: Western Cape (South Africa)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01345683
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309160858
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jul 27 2011 1:43PM