Road Design for Future Maintenance Problems and Possibilities

Abstract

This paper presents an investigation conducted to identify obstacles that prevent sufficient consideration of future road maintenance needs during the road planning and design phase. The investigation focuses on the road planning and design process within the Swedish Road Administration. For this reason the results are applicable for Nordic conditions concerning road design, maintenance, and climate. However, the results focus on general aspects of the planning and design process and ought to also be valid for other conditions outside the Nordic countries. The investigation was carried out using a method called “change analysis,” which consists of complementary steps for the analysis of problems, processes, and goals in order to identify necessary changes. The investigation identified several problems within the road planning and design process related to consulting, knowledge, planning and design activities, regulations, organization structure, and demands from other authorities. The identified problems, activities within the planning and design process, and goals for the process were analyzed. Based on these analyses the investigation identifies the most urgent needs for change in order to eliminate the problems that result in insufficient consideration of maintainability during the planning and design process.