This month, a new ARRB Research Report on predicting the performance of Australia's arterial and sealed local roads was published after more than 23 years of research.
The report, ‘ARR 390 Predicting the Performance of Australia's Arterial and Sealed Local Roads’, as authored by Dr Tim Martin and Mr Lith Choummanivong of the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB), is based on the observational and experimental research data collected by ARRB between 1994 - 2017 and is aimed at producing deterministic road deterioration (RD) models (roughness, rutting, cracking and strength) and work effects (WE) models (asphalt overlays, granular re-sheeting and mill and replace asphalt).
The authors would also like to acknowledge Mr Thorolf Thoresen and Mr Tyrone Toole of ARRB for their valuable contribution to this significant project.
This research was largely funded by Austroads and the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) as well as contributions from local government councils. The Austroads Asset Task Force (ATF) has also been involved with the work outcomes.
‘ARR 390 is about the behaviour of Australian sealed road based on Australian data, it’s not an adaptation of models based on data sourced from somewhere else. ARR 390 is relevant and appropriate for the Australian practitioner.’ Dr Martin said.
‘If roads are wisely maintained to meet the community’s level of service desired of them, their travel time can be reduced, wear and tear of their vehicles is also reduced and roads conditions are safer to ensure fewer accidents.’
Dr Martin went on to say.
The ARR 390 document’s RD and WE models are currently being used and will continue to be used in future pavement management systems.
‘Model development is a time consuming task involving a trial and error method of problem solving. A model cannot be universal and should only be used to predict the future condition of a road section in similar traffic and climatic environments.’ said Mr Choummanivong.
Some of the RD and WE models have been modified since the documentation was published initially in 2010 (by Austroads) and 2013 (IPWEA). ARR 390 will be referred to in the soon to be released 3rd edition of the Austroads Guide to Asset Management.
The report enables practitioners to accurately predict road behavior over its life-cycle, as well as the best approach for maintenance and renewal.
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