New software proposes best road maintenance solutions
A new software 'toolbox', developed as a result of Swedish-Danish collaboration, is able to inform road authorities of the best approach to repairing or replacing roads and pavements. The Eureka project is known as GEOSECMA-PMS, and uses information on pavement material, lighting, road signs and kerbs to make recommendations to planners and engineers. The toolbox is also able to send out instructions to maintenance staff via personal digital assistants (PDAs). 'Road authorities may now manage the maintenance of the entire road, including lighting, road signs and other inventory objects, as well as pavement management issues,' said Hans-Goeran Wilhelmsson, Chief Executive of Swedish partner KORDAB. 'The integrated software takes into account factors such as ruts and cracking in the road surface, the intensity of traffic and the wear it causes, and proposes what actions should be taken within a fixed budget to prolong the residual life of the road or pavement as much as possible.' In addition to improved safety and a smoother ride for motorists, the tool also results in savings for local authorities by providing the most cost effective solutions to damaged roads. Mr Wilhelmsson believes the international cooperation aspect of the project was the key to its success: 'Developing new technology with international partners provides the best platform for commercial success on an international arena. The combination of know-how and highly specialised competence within the pavement engineering sector produced a commercial software product that was aimed at road authorities around the world and is being used by municipalities in six countries.'
Countries
Denmark, Sweden
