ROAD BUILDING
The road to the future Dealing with highway failures: advice from the experts
John Rodgman
H
ighways are fundamental parts of society, connecting people and businesses across the nation, bringing families together and functioning as key enablers to many important events in a person’s life. At best, highway failures extend journeys, cause congestion and irritate road users, but at worst, they can
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be extremely dangerous. That’s why, in responding to them, it is essential they are corrected quickly, efficiently, and safely. John Rodgman shares his insight into exactly how these potential failures can be dealt with now, and prevented in the future.
stress from the moment they are constructed, not only from excessive load, but also due to poor construction and maintenance, extreme weather events, ageing and improper materials.
What exactly is a highway failure?
Depending on the severity of the highway failure, the effect on both road users and others can vary. Less severe issues, such as potholes and road tear, can still financially damage road users; having to repair the damage done to their vehicles because of these failures. Larger cracks can add hours to travel times through road congestion, increasing the cost of transport for businesses and potentially cause delays to travellers and deliveries. Highway failures can also cause environmental and economic damage to the areas associated with them. High carbon emissions caused from increased
A general definition of highway failures are instances that damage the structure of the road. These can vary in severity, ranging from cracking and shallow potholes to impassable cracks along the carriageway. If left unchecked and unrectified, these small annoyances can soon become larger, more threatening issues, not only to drivers, but to pedestrians and cyclists, as well. But how exactly do highway failures originate? What causes the potholes and cracks to appear down the street? Well, highways are under constant
Effects of highway failures
