Effect of defects on highway quality

Abstract

This study investigates the causes, effects and remedies to defects on highway as it affects quality along Pipeline road in Kamazo, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The methods used in data collection are, GIS used in mapping the congested area, use of questionnaire and oral interview. One hundred (100) copies of questionnaires were administered to drivers and passengers using the road, in which Cross-Tabulation and 5-point Likert Scale was used for the analysis. Common defects observed are: Potholes, cracks, silt deposit on roadway, honey combs, depression, grasses on shoulders, scouring, fade markings, road signs, vegetation in hydraulic structures, structural failure of hydraulic structures, loss of materials, failed pavement, etc. Common causes of quality defects on highways are: High volume and frequency of heavy duty trucks; roadway as predominant mode of transportation; Lack of maintenance culture; Poor budget allocation for maintenance. Poor funding; defective Design; Poor construction; Defective constructional materials; Poor supervision; Poor drainage system; Defective implementation of QC/QA protocols; Age of road, etc. Common effects of quality defects on highways are: Defective road quality; Inability to forecast travel time; Fuel consumption; Induces stress on road users; Frequent vehicle breakdown on the roadway; High cost of transportation fare indices for inflation; Loss of time on the roads; Accident; Defective distribution of goods and services; Defective security emergency response, etc. Possible remedies to these defects are: provision of adequate funding to maintenance agencies; collate data from monitoring and evaluation; schedule and plan for maintenance; diversify travel modes; improve on QA/QC required for roadwork; provide coordinated and computerized weigh bridge and regular collection of axle loads data; tax vehicles according to axle load beyond certain boundaries to generate fund required to maintain roads; road markings and furniture to be in place; provision of lightings; quality supervision; use of quality materials to required standard & specifications; adopt build-operate-transfer (road retainer ship).