Definition:
Preserving and keeping each type of roadway, roadside, or structure as nearly as possible in its original condition as constructed or as subsequently improved and the operation of highway facilities and services to provide satisfactory and safe transportation, is called maintenance of highways.
Road maintenance is essential in order to
(1) preserve the road in its originally constructed condition,
(2) protect adjacent resources and user safety, and
(3)provide efficient, convenient travel along the route.
Unfortunately, maintenance is often neglected or improperly performed resulting in rapid deterioration of the road and eventual failure from both climatic and vehicle use impacts. It follows that it is impossible to build and use a road that requires no maintenance.
In order to plan for road maintenance needs, it is important to keep a complete set of "as built" plans and records of all maintenance operations and observations. The as-built plan should contain the following:
1. Complete job index
2. Complete history of the project from the planning stage to construction
3. Photographic records
4. Exact location and observations of any unstable
5. conditions in relation to the road location-
6. Exact location of culvert sand and other drainage features
7. Wet areas that may have required additional excavation and replacement with more suitable ballast backfield materials
8. All major changes made to the original plan
Highway maintenance works :
Road maintenance works are classified into three types:
1. routine,
2. periodic and
3. emergency.
Routine maintenance is based on routine (daily) inspection of the condition of the pavement, cut and fill slopes, drainage, bridges, and other structures and facilities to monitor any defects and damage. The results of the routine inspection will be promptly reported to the operation office for follow-up maintenance works to be undertaken either continually throughout the year or at certain intervals every year. The term “preventive maintenance” refers to repair that addresses causes of deterioration leading to the need for costly rehabilitation work in the future.
Periodic maintenance is based on a detailed inspection performed at certain time intervals such as seasonally or yearly depending on the type and kind of facilities. It includes checking and testing the conditions of various structures and facilities. Defects and damage will be reported for repairs or remedies. Maintenance plans covering several years will be developed
Typical Maintenance Activities :
Emergency maintenance basically comprises works to restore road and road-related facilities to their normal operating conditions after they are damaged by road accidents or natural causes. It is impossible to foresee the frequency, but such maintenance requires immediate action. The table summarizes the typical activities of each type of maintenance work.
- SURFACE MAINTENANCE OF HIGHWAY :
Road surfaces should be reworked only as necessary to provide a smooth running surface and a good crown or slope for drainage. All-season roads will require continual monitoring for surface and subgrade wear or deterioration. Rutting and loss of ballast often occur during rainy season use. Snow removal equipment can also destroy the road surface by removing or altering the crown and removing ballast. A plan should be in place to provide ballast when necessary to maintain the continued use of the road.
Pavement maintenance and rehabilitation programs, restore riding quality and maintain the structural integrity of the pavement over its full design life. Asphalt concrete pavements are subjected to various types of pavement distress or Failure these include.
Surface maintenance:
1. For maintenance of gravel roads blading and occasional resurfacing are required.
2. surface treatments of low-type bituminous surface in the maintenance of roads; Patching, seal coating, or possible loosening oiling, remixing, and relaying are involved.
3. high type bituminous concrete and Portland cement concrete, the Removal and replacement of failure areas, and resurfacing are approximate treatment methods for highway maintenance.
4. same material and methods for road surface maintenance as far as possible.
5. Maintenance must be planned for rapid performance and to cause the least possible disruption or hazard to traffic.
Shoulders :
1. SOD shoulders must be moved and occasionally bladed down to the level of the roadway so that water is not trapped in the traveled way. must be kept in good condition.
2. Shoulders protected by bituminous blankets or surface treatments same as for roadway surface.
3. Gravel and earth shoulders that leave a drop-off at the pavement edges create a serious accident hazard, hence, should be corrected by reconstruction, resurfacing, or other appropriate means.
4. Due to continuous wetting and drying of the shoulder, edge joints result between lane and shoulder which may cause settlement of pavement due to entrance of water in subgrade soil. It can be repaired by filling the joint with sand and asphalt concrete.
MOVING :
Vegetation along the right-of-way will be mowed for the following reasons:
1. Eliminate obstructions to sight distance on curves.
2. Control weed and brush growth.
3. Reduce snow drifting on the roadway.
4. Provide unobstructed drainage.
5. Reduce the fire hazard in some areas.
6. Improve road aesthetics.
7. Eliminate obstruction to signs.
8. Increase the visibility of large animals on the right-of-way.
Drainage System Maintenance :
Drainage structures must be kept free of debris and obstructions. On newly constructed roads, or in upstream areas where heavy earth moving is taking place (e.g., urban development, logging, mining, etc.), cleaning may have to be more frequent.
Drainage systems include the following components:
1. Ditches
2. Culverts
3. Ditch Blocks
4. Curbs/Gutters
5. Down Drains
6. Subsurface Drains
7. Bridges
Each spring, the department will update and prioritize the culvert maintenance program. This program will describe any drainage system deficiencies and identify what corrective action needs to be taken.
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