Development of methods for parameters of long-term contracts optimization for operational road maintenance

Abstract

The object of research is the processes of cost, duration and quality management in long-term contracts for the maintenance of roads. The presented work is based on the use of project management theory. The main hypothesis of the study is the application of methods for optimizing the parameters of long-term contracts for the maintenance of roads. Features, advantages and problematic issues concerning the use of long-term contracts based on quality indicators in the road sector are considered. The world and domestic experience of introduction of long-term maintenance of highways is analyzed. The main approaches to optimization of parameters are defined and the mathematical model of management of processes of cost, duration and quality in long-term contracts is developed. Based on the model, two methods of mathematical solution of the optimization problem of the proposed parameters have been developed. A mathematical experiment based on the example of the project of long-term maintenance of roads on the final quality indicators, the results of which showed that the adaptive capacity of projects by the second method is less flexible than the first. But the second method achieved better performance to minimize time parameters with averaging at 5 %. Optimization of parameters of long-term contracts for maintenance of roads has a multiplier effect, which is expressed in reducing administrative costs of the customer, reducing the responsibility of road services, creating conditions for stable financing of road works, satisfaction of road users, building strong partnerships between the customer and the contract. The results of calculations have practical value and can serve as a tool for making sound management decisions to determine the basic parameters of long-term contracts for the maintenance of roads based on quality.