MINOR ROAD DETERIORATION: CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES AND MAINTENANCE OPTIONS.

Abstract

The deterioration of minor roads has been studied variously in a number of local authorities for a period of between 5 and 9 years. Road conditions over 100 m lengths were observed by manual survey methods at 6-month intervals and by various machine surveys at yearly or 2-yearly intervals measuring profile, skid resistance and deflection. Throughout the period, sites which were chosen at the worst end of the condition ranges were removed from the study when they were adjedged to require treatment for maintenance and safety reasons. Their condition when they were 'lost' is known. A series of deterioration rates for varying causal factors are advanced for each authority and compared with data from the National Road Maintenance Conditions Survey. A maintenance treatment strategy is proposed based on conditions found on these minor road network test lengths. Reference is made to the repeatability and reproducibility of machine and manual surveys are presented. The research confirms the main causes of deterioration familiar to maintenance engineers and the average condition where remedial treatment was necessary. It corrobated the judgement of road engineers in prioritizing maintenance treatments and the associated financial allocations. A scientific approach is a necessary prerequisite to the building of economic models for the maintenance management of minor roads.