Improving Maintenance Practice for Road Network in Sudan

Abstract

Efficient maintenance of roads networks is highly important to conserve them. In Sudan, the maintenance practice of roads is predominantly based on emergency maintenance. Recently, many challenges are facing this practice which required urgent and necessary improvements to be undertaken. Ten major national roads representing the road network in Sudan were selected for this study. A visual field survey was conducted for evaluating the current condition of these roads. The investigation determined types, severity, and percent of distresses observed on each road and diagnosed their possible causes in order to suggest efficient maintenance measures. The results of the field survey showed that 24% of the roads are in poor condition, 33% are in fair condition, and 43% are in good condition and the major distresses observed are cracking and raveling failures of road surface. Finally, recommendations are provided to support the government and national road authority in Sudan to have a promising maintenance practice for road network.