Managing Unsurfaced Road Assets in the Western Cape from Strategy to Implementation

The management of gravel and earth roads in the Western Cape, as in most parts of the world, receives low priority with minimal funding. However, unsurfaced roads comprise some 26,000 km out of a network of 32,000 km, presenting a major maintenance challenge. Constraints in maintaining the network are the scarcity of suitable gravel sources, the requirements of environmental legislation, and a lack of well-trained personnel. The paper describes strategy development to achieve accessibility and acceptable rideability and the integration of systems and manuals into a coherent program of action. It covers the implementation of a variety of maintenance actions to achieve the optimal mix. Also described are developments in the Gravel Management System (GMS) during the last 3 years and how it promotes better investigation, design and processes. The successes and pitfalls in implementing both the strategic level Gravel Roads Management System (GRMS) and the operations level GMS are given. The results of monitoring of test sections for research into deterioration models are given. The provision of a Gravel Roads Manual to support design and implementation and an Operational Manual for borrow pits to support the mining and rehabilitation of the pits is described.

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• Authors:
  • Henderson, Mervyn G
  • van Zyl, Gerrie D
  • Fourie, Gerhard
• Conference:
  • Seventh International Conference on Managing Pavement Assets
  • Location: Calgary Alberta, Canada
  • Date: 2008-6-23 to 2008-6-28
• Publication Date: 2008

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 10p
• Monograph Title: 7th International Conference on Managing Pavement Assets, June 23-28, 2008, Calgary, Alberta, Canada: "Preserving What We Have, Investing in the Future, and Finding the Balance"

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asset management; Earth roads; Gravel pits; Gravel roads; Highway maintenance; Maintenance management; Strategic planning; Unpaved roads
• Geographic Terms: Western Cape (South Africa)
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; Pavements; I10: Economics and Administration; I36: Aggregates; I60: Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01447698
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 28 2012 3:30PM