Improving Network Performance of Unsealed Roads with Practical Data

Abstract

For over a decade Cassowary Coast Regional Council has actively invested in the management of its 527km unsealed road network with the goal of optimising available budget and resources to improve overall network performance. A catalyst to this strategic investment is the region’s average annual rainfall of four metres which adds to the challenge of providing a safe and accessible network. Having built both a solid knowledge base in the operational area and collected consistent data in the management area, today Council is able to use predictive modelling to optimise its delivery process. On the operational front, Council has upskilled its four grading crews in best practice techniques that meet the six key criteria required to build longer-lasting and more cost-effective roads. On the management front, the Cassowary Coast Team use road condition data (roughness), planned vs reactive inspections data, planned vs reactive maintenance data, treatment history, and road deterioration rates to know how and when to efficiency intervene via inspection or treatment. The potential of using predictive modelling to inform the frequency of inspections relative to the actual performance of the road has tremendous resource savings potential. As well as allowing Council the opportunity to transfer the inspection effort across to other critical asset areas, like rural drainage. The objective of this paper will be to: • Demonstrate how councils can improve the overall performance of unsealed road networks, save money and better allocate resources through the effective use of practical data; • Outline the key operational and management areas that drive efficiency and performance of unsealed road networks; • Illustrate the power of collecting the right data by demonstrating the CCRC Road Maintenance Dashboard; and • Present CCRC’s modelled information and impact of predictive modelling.