Forskningsområde - VTI

Publisher:
Publication:
VTI rapport 775
Published:
2013
Project code:
200878
Dnr:
2012/0596-28
SE-581 95 Linköping Sweden Project:
Low traffic volume roads - State-of-the-art
Author: Sponsor:
Karin Edvardsson VTI
Title:
Low traffic volume roads - A literature review concerning benefit, standard, condition, operation, and
maintenance
Abstract
In all the Nordic countries unbound or thin sealed road surfaces are common. Low traffic volume roads
include all roads with a traffic volume of up to 1,000 vehicles per day. Approximately 75% of the total
Swedish government administered road network is low volumed. For the municipal road network, the
corresponding figure is 70%. In addition, the whole private road network, which is much larger in length
than the government and municipal administered road networks together, is low volumed. Low traffic
volume roads have low traffic intensity but it may be noted that it is the same people who often use the
roads and therefore incur increased operating costs and reduced comfort.
In summary, a large amount of literature in the area treats condition measurements and reinforcement,
particularly methods for these. However, there is not much research on the actual road network status,
degradation models and life cycle costs published.
The structural condition of the road is the most critical parameter for the asset value of the low traffic
volume road network. Road capacity affects accessibility for freight transports and is therefore of great
importance to the forest industry.
Degradation of low traffic volume roads is more complex than on heavily trafficked roads where traffic
is the most important parameter. At low traffic volume roads, there is a longer time horizon as well as the
fact that several parameters, such as the aging, durability, and climate interact. However, the life length
of a road increases significantly when the drainage is improved.
Operation and maintenance of low traffic volume roads can generally be divided into the four areas; 1)
winter operation, 2) management of the functional condition of the road during the period when the
ground is free from frost, 3) management of the road's structural condition, and 4) management during
the spring thaw period. In the future, a fifth area may be climate adaption, as mentioned in recent EU
statements. New technologies for condition measurements will play a major role in maintenance and
improvement of the aging of low traffic volume road network.
When it comes to low traffic volume roads, it is very difficult to find economic motives to justify a good
condition of these roads. However, these roads must have a minimum acceptable standard, a so called
"shame limit", which at least allows people to get to and from home/work safely.
Keywords:
Low traffic volume roads, functional condition, structural condition, operation and maintenance.
ISSN: Language: No. of pages:
0347-6030 Swedish 78 + Appendix