When you are on a road, do you think about how it has stayed smooth for years? Well, it takes a lot of care and hard work to maintain our roads.
Therefore, we have made this article to explain how roads are maintained. Plus, you will learn why road maintenance is important for us.
Main Types of Road Maintenance
Routine Maintenance of Roads
When you talk about the routine maintenance of work it means you have to search for damages on roads. Like, if there are small potholes you have to fill them. In case of a broken sign board you should repair it. Ii is a day-to-day maintenance, you must clean roads and drainage pipes daily.
Preventive Road Maintenance
Well, this maintenance is done when you inspect a road and polish it before a bigger damage happens. Basically, it includes resurfacing the road to make it more durable. Sometimes, you can add a protective layer to make your road stronger for heavy vehicles.
Periodic Maintenance of Roads
As its name shows, this type of road repairing is done after several years. Actually, it is done when a road requires large scale fixes. You can call it a long term maintenance plan which is done after a deep inspection.
You have to apply a new layer of pavement on a road that is damaged. Moreover, seal coating is also used as a protector on that road.
Emergency Road Maintenance
Emergency road maintenance happens when you face a sudden road blockage on a busy road. You may experience this type of condition in floods, accidents and landslides.
Therefore, an immediate response is shown to repair damages or clear paths for traffic. Plus, this kind of maintenance is done urgently so you do not need to face delays.
Corrective Road Maintenance
You can do corrective road maintenance when a huge damage happens on a road. In other words, you have to correct all faults related to the drainage system, big potholes and cracked roads.
Specific Component Maintenance
Street Lighting Maintenance
You have to do the maintenance work of street lights when there is some fault in them. These faults include fused bulbs, damaged photocells, loose wires etc. you can check these lights at night time for better inspection.
Traffic Sign Maintenance
Traffic signs are boards that are placed on roads to inform you about incoming dangers. They also need maintenance work like sometimes they are hit by vehicles and get damaged.
So, you have to repair them or change them on time. And ensure that signs are highly-visible (made with reflective sheets) from a distance. If bushes or trees cover a board then remove them too.
Roadside Barriers Maintenance
You can find road barriers at the sides of roads for protection. Its maintenance includes inspection, repair, replacement, and cleaning. You have to check if the barrier is bent, rusted or broken. You have to examine loose anchor bolts and secure them tightly.
Drainage Maintenance of Roads
Drainage is a most important part of roads because they clean water from the surface of roads. Therefore, you have to ensure that they are not blocked or choked. If it happens then you can use a jet pressure to clean it. Especially when the rainy season is ahead.
Vegetation Road Maintenance
Usually, people ignore overgrowth of trees and bushes on roads. But they are important for both safety and appearance. Actually, you can cut, clean and remove them monthly. Well, you have to do it for the visibility of sharp curves, upcoming cars and sign boards.
Bridge Maintenance
As you know, bridges are special road infrastructures that are made on water bodies. Basically, you have to examine each part of the bridge on a monthly basis. In this inspection you should check the deck, expansion joints, bearings and sidewalks. Basically, it is very necessary to make bridges strong and long lasting.
Seasonal Road Maintenance
Winter Road Maintenance
In winters, roads need extra care specifically in areas with snowfall. For this you can see snow ploughing machines or shovels on roads. Actually, they remove snow for secure movement of vehicles. In addition, anti skid treatment & de-icing technique is used to melt the ice.
You can also do preventive maintenance on busy roads near hospitals and schools with weather forecasts.
Summer Road Maintenance
You have to inspect roads deeply when the weather is too hot. The reason is that over-heat makes potholes and cracks on roads. So, you should decrease the maintenance gap.
Plus, in summers rains can also happen that may cause floods. Therefore, you have to clear the drainage system.
Road Maintenance In Rainydays
If rain water is not cleared on time it can damage the roads. For instance, it may create path holes, cracks and even break a section of the road. So, if there are potholes on a road, you can use cold mix asphalt/gravel to fill them temporarily.
When water has gathered in large amounts at one place you have to evacuate it with a water pump. Additionally, you can put warning signs to inform drivers.
Spring Road Maintenance
In the start of spring you have to clean-up roads that are damaged in winters. Actually, it is good weather to repair small as well as large scale damages. So, you can start your work to fill path holes to add surface layers.
Why Road Maintenance is Important
Road maintenance is needed for you to drive safely on roads. Basically, a well-maintained road decreases your chances of accidents. When a road has clear marking and sign boards your visibility increases.
If you are in an emergency then a smooth road can take you on time. A good road infrastructure is also crucial for economic growth of a country.
Final Words
Finally, we can say that now you have enough knowledge about how roads are checked and maintained. Always remember that all types of maintenance are crucial for roads. But routine maintenance is very necessary to keep you safe from large-scale repairings in advance.
Answers of Your Frequent Questions
Who is Responsible for Road Maintenance?
Generally, public roads are maintained by a government (federal, provincial and local) of a country. But you can see some private toll roads, inspected by their owners.
Who Pays for Road Maintenance?
The government of a country pays for road maintenance which is collected from the public. For example, when you pay toll tax at roads, fuel tax, state and local taxes.
What is a Road Maintenance Agreement?
A Road Maintenance Agreement is a legal contract between two or more parties. Basically, it outlines who is responsible for maintaining this specific road.
