Managing Traffic Incidents - University of Queensland

(Continued from page 17)
The most significant activity of the entire
SRMP development was the creation of the
HDM-4 input file for the road network(s)
using the Microsoft Access database management
software. Access was used to:
– combine the road network data retrieved
and uploaded from various sources;
– create the Strategic Road Network Matrix
by grouping, averaging and totalling collected
information;
– store and update adopted "constants"
within the input file; and
– format the input file ready for importing
into HDM-4.
Access also proved a valuable tool for making
global or parameter-specific changes to
the input file, as required.
Calibration of most pavement deterioration
profiles for various forms of damage could
not be carried out due to a lack of reliable
historic pavement data. In these cases
HDM-4 default calibration factors were
adopted. Some guidance on calibration
parameters for Penetration Macadum pavements
was provided in a road maintenance
study undertaken by another consultant.
The strategic analysis optimised the mix
and timing of preventative, restoration,
rehabilitation and reconstruction as well as
defining the required budget and resourcing.
It also identified the upgrading of all but the
least trafficked of the unsealed roads in the
National Highway Network on a total cost of
ownership basis.
This project component highlighted a
number of issues relating to the implementation
of HDM-4 that may be of interest to any
road agency:
– Analysis of more than 1000 road sections
at a time remains impractical (it is believed
that the development team in
Birmingham University will address this
issue in Version 2 of the model);
– Concrete deterioration model is strongly
biased towards multi-lane freeways,
where in Vietnam, jointed concrete pavements
are primarily used for local roads;
– Sustainability of HDM-4 as an investment
planning tool is highly dependent on both
data access and its co-ordination with
other road management/planning tools
used by the agency;
– In its current form, significant IT capability
is required to set-up and maintain the
HDM-4 model; and
– A comprehensive understanding of the
sensitivities of the input data to the HDM-
4 analysis outputs is the key to achieving
the greatest benefit from the analysis.
South Africa
The South African National Roads Agency,
(SANRA), are currently implementing
HDM-4 across the national road network.
The Agency has responsibility for managing,
maintaining, financial planning, administration
and law and road safety enforcement on
the South African primary road network.
For the implementation of HDM-4, the
Agency has the advantage of having substantial
historical research data, existing economic
analysis models, and comprehensive
road network data.
The implementation of HDM-4 is being
phased, with the initial phase consisting of
validating HDM-4 with the existing stand
alone economic analysis tools used by the
Agency. Once validated, HDM-4 will be
used to undertake the economic analyses for
strategic, programme and project analysis.
The HDM-4 implementation program
consists of:
– Development of the strategic road network
matrix, based on existing data
contained in pavement management
systems, strategic transportation planning
tools, etc.
– Validation of the HDM-4 pavement
deterioration models by means of comparison
with existing, calibrated, deterioration
models used by the Agency.
– Input of all economic and user cost data,
obtained from existing economic analysis
models. !
HDM4 Website:
http://hdm4.piarc.org/main/home-e.htm
For further information, contact
Gary Hayes and Brad Lawrence by e-mail:
hayes_gary@bah.com & lawrence_brad@bah.com
18 DECEMBER 2001