ROAD MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM : A CASE STUDY AT PUBLIC WORK DEPARTMENT
NURUL WAHIDA BINTI MOHAMED
A project report submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the degree of Master of Science (Construction Management)
Faculty of Civil Engineering University of Technology Malaysia
APRIL 2010
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In preparing this project report, I was in contact with many peoples, researches, academicians and practitioners. They have contributed towards my understanding and thought. In particular, I would to express my sincere appreciation to my project supervisor Prof Dr Muhd Zaimi Abd Majid, for encouragement, guidance, critics, motivation and friendship. Without his support and interest, this thesis would not have been the same as presented here.
I am also thankful to the officers of Public Work Department especially Ir Mohd Hizam B Harun, En Sufiyan B Zakaria, En Hamzah b Hashim dan Cik Fazleen Hanim Ahmad Kamar for the cooperation and experience shared.
My sincere appreciation also extends to all my colleagues and others who have provide assistance at various occasions especially, Cik Azlinda Bt Mat Lazim and Cik Nazirah Bt. Ismail. Their views and tips are useful indeed. Unfortunately, it is not possible to list all of them in this limited space.
ABSTRACT
Road should be viewed as an important national assets. Like any other assets, road must be regularly maintained to keep them serviceable. The study conducted on the Road Maintenance Branch, whereby this branch was established specifically to manage the assets of the Federal Road to the Public Work Department of Malaysia. The aim of this study is to investigate on how to improve road maintenance management system in order to reduce time and cost. The study is carried out through interviews, questionnaires and archives from the Public Work Department. Interviews were conducted with the personnel involving in road maintenance management. The questionnaires were distributed to those who are involved in maintenance activities at the Public Work Department. The type of road involved in this study was a Federal Road, P27 under Public Work Department supervision. The data collected were analyzed using an average index method to obtain the result. From the result, the most common problem occur during the implementation of Road Maintenance Management System is to get the funds for the road maintenance. Public Work Department should consider to monitor the work carried out by the concessioners in order to improve the Road Maintenance Management System.
ABSTRAK
Jalanraya merupakan aset penting bagi sesebuah Negara. Seperti aset – aset negara yang lain, jalanraya seharusnya diselenggara setiap masa untuk memeastikan kelancarannya. Kajian ini dilaksanakan terhadap Cawangan Senggara Jalan, dimana ia ditubuhkan untuk menguruskan aset Jalan Persekutuan bagi Jabatan Kerja Raya Malaysia. Focus kajian ini adalah bagi melaksanakan penyiasatan bagaimana untuk meningkatkan system pengurusan penyelenggaraan jalan bagi mengurangkan kos dan masa. Kajian ini dijalankan melalui kaedah temuramah, soal selidik dan maklumat – maklumat dari Jabatan Kerja Raya. Temuramah dilakukan terhadap pegawai yang terlibat dalam pengurusan penyelenggaraan jalan. Soal selidik pula diagihkan kepada pegawai yang terlibat dalam aktiviti penyelenggaraan di Jabatan Kerja Raya.Kajian ini melibatkan Jalan Persekutuan, P27 dibawah perlaksanaan Jabatan Kerja Raya. Data yang dikumpul dianalisa dengan menggunakan kaedah Index Purata untuk mendapatkan keputusan. Daripada keputusan yang diperolehi, masalah
yang
biasa
timbul
semasa
perlaksanaaan
system
pengurusan
penyelenggaraan jalan ini adalah bagi mendapatkan peruntukkan. Manakala, bagi meningkatkan system pengurusan penyelenggaraan jalan adalah pihak Jabatan Kerja Raya perlu memantau kerja – kerja yang dilaksanakan oleh pihak konsesi.
TABLES OF CONTENTS
LIST OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Title
i
Declaration
ii
Dedication
iii
Acknowledgement
iv
Abstract
v
Tables of Contents
vii
List of Tables
xi
List of Figures
xi
List of Appendices
xii
CHAPTER
1
TITLE
PAGE
INTRODUCTION
1
1.0 Introduction
1
1.1 Background of Study
2
1.2 Problem Statement
4
1.3 Aim and Objectives
5
1.4 Scope of Study
6
2
1.5 Research Methodology
6
1.6 Summary of Chapters
8
LITERATURE REVIEW
9
2.0 Introduction
9
2.1 Definition of Maintenance
10
2.2 Function and Value of Maintenance
11
2.2.1 Function of Maintenance
11
2.2.2 Value of Maintenance
12
2.3 Objectives of Roads Maintenance Management 13 System 2.4 The Road Maintenance Management Process
14
2.5 Problems or Issues in Road Maintenance
17
Management System 2.5.1 Legislative Level Issues
17
2.5.2 Administrative Level Issues
17
2.5.3 Technical Level Issues
18
2.6 Improving Road Maintenance Management
19
System
3
2.7 Summary
21
METHODOLOGY
22
3.0 Introduction
22
3.1 Research Methodology
23
3.2 Literature Review
23
3.3 Data Collection
24
3.3.1 Primary Data
24
3.3.2 Secondary Data 3.4 Data Analysis 3.4.1 Average Index
4
25 26 26
3.5 Summary
27
ROAD MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT
28
SYSTEM AT PUBLIC WORK DEPARTMENT 4.0 Introduction
28
4.1 Role of Public Work Department
29
4.2 Road Maintenance Cycle
29
4.3 Road Maintenance Procedure
31
4.3.1 Pavement Management System
31
4.3.2 Data Collection Strategy
31
4.3.3 The Need for Engineering Evaluation 34 of the Road Pavements 4.3.4 Pavement Evaluation 5
35
DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
39
5.0 Introduction
39
5.1 Factors Considered Important in Road
40
Maintenance Management System 5.2 Problems Occur During The Process of Road
42
Maintenance Management System 5.3 Propose to Improve Road Maintenance
44
Management System
6
5.4 Summary
46
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
47
6.0 Introduction
47
6.1 Conclusion
47
6.1.1 To Study the Road Maintenance
48
Management System 6.1.2 Problem in Road Maintenance
48
Management System 6.1.3 Basic Approach for Improving the
49
Road Maintenance Management System 6.3 Recommendation
49
REFERENCES
51 - 53
APPENDICES
54 - 64
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE NO
TITLE
PAGE
4.1
Bands of Performance Indicator
33
5.1
Important Factors in Road Maintenance
41
Management System 5.2
Problems on Road Maintenance Management
43
System 5.3
Basic Approach for Improving Road Maintenance 45 Management System
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE NO
TITLE
PAGE
1.1
Flow Chart of Methodology of Study
7
2.1
Basic Element of a Road Maintenance
16
Management System 4.1
Road Maintenance Cycle
30
4.2
Flow Chart of Pavement Evaluation Process
38
LIST OF APPENDICES
NO
TITLE
PAGE
A
Form of Interview
54
B
Form of Questionnaires
56
C
Sample of Analysis at Network Level
60
D
Privatization on Road Maintenance
61
E
Sample of Data Collection – DCP Test
62
F
RAMS – Use for Collecting Data
63
G
Sample of Data Analysis using HDM – IV
64
1
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.0
INTRODUCTION
According to Ahmad (2002) maintenance is always a must for any structure in
order to maintain its serviceability and to prevent deterioration that may shorten the service life. In reality, maintenance works are not given the attention it should have a budget allocated for maintenance work in which seldom become a prior consideration. However, it is a fact that maintenance is the most important and the activity to be carried out to prolong or at least maintain serviceability of structure until the end of its service life.
Structures as stated do not solely refer to buildings. Other structures such as bridges, roads, harbours, drainages and any kind of engineering structures are also included. Maintenance on these structures may differ in various ways, but all of it must be carried out in a strategic and systematic way. This study is conducted to investigate on how to improve Road Maintenance Management System.
2
1.1
BACKGROUND OF STUDY
In this new era, the product we design not only for use and demolish but we start to find or consider new strategies to effectively protect, manage and sustain our pavement so that not only they are safe to use, but can also be maintained effectively and last longer.
In Malaysia, especially in government sector many new pavement and surfacing types have been considered by both the engineers in the Public Works Department (PWD) and the consultant engineers. Once the concepts are decided the designers either from the consultants or the PWD are allowed to proceed with the detail design.
With respect to the pavement and surfacing types encountered, a majority of the proposals are of the conventional types. However there are proposals that may be classified as non traditional.
Besides the new design of pavement surfacing types, the major problem still appear. From News Straits Time, 18 August 2003 the Chief Director of Work Public says that, “Local authority got more complaint from the road user everyday because of unsatisfied work done”.
Therefore, maintenance the road is important to make sure the traffic flow smoothly. But most of the developed countries are faced with high maintenance cost on the aging transportation highway. Fwa (2006) highlighted that highway maintenance can broadly define as an action taken to retain the road pavement in a safe and useable condition. Road maintenance normally excludes upgrading and strengthening of the road elements, but maybe done if these appear to be the most cost – effective actions in the long terms. Maintenance could be emergency, remedial (routine or recurrent) and preventive (periodic) type.
3
Road maintenance must be planned, managed, design and executed. Planning and management are done by means of maintenance management systems and procedures. These system and procedures are normally different from a pavement and bridge management systems since it do not focus on long term and strategic repair and upgrading issues. Relevant pavement and bridge can be identified for protective and preventive actions as part of a road maintenance program. On time maintenance is extremely important.
Dipak (2005) conduct a study for roads maintenance at Nepal found that the main objectives of road maintenance is to ensure the serviceability of the road network and minimize the cost of road transportation, which is comprised of i.
Agency cost: Capital cost of construction and maintenance of the facilities over their design life; and
ii.
Road User Cost.
Regarding to Reginald (1986), it is important to view maintenance in the context of the overall construction process. The role played by maintenance in the construction process can start from design stage. The involvement of maintenance department in this stage is as an advisor to the designer to figure out the maintenance problem in the future.
Regarding to the Armstrong (1984), some of the advantages of the involvement of maintenance department in early stage are it would able to check the practicability of the design details, the suitability of patent joint, anticipate leaks, staining, expansion joints, and many other things that can prevent further defects in the future caused by miss-design.
4
1.2
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Most of the road in Malaysia was under responsibility of Department of Public Work (PWD). Maintenance of road was directly under Branch of Road Maintenance. From the statistic of complaint from the road user is 31% on road defect or failure of the road.
Dipak (2005) addressed from his study a number of challenges to achieve sustainable management of Nepal’s road network like institutional problems concerning management and utilization of the fund and capacity constraints in road agencies.
Derek et al (1986) described three main problems in maintenance which are inadequate financial, bad management, and poor design.
Financial is the main measurement for the action will take for maintenance activities and for some householders’ maintenance budget is the easiest part to cut if they faced financial problem.
The second problem is bad management, which could be interpreted as idleness and waste among the maintenance personnel. The maintenance manager and the staff’s ability and responsive to the maintenance problem is one of the tool of effective maintenance management.
The design also part of the problem in maintenance. It is important to give more attention to decide which materials and elements will be use, and unfortunately it is uncommon at the design stage both designer and owner take maintenance as one of the design consideration. Poor design also includes the poor quality materials used.
5
From the above problem, the government spend more money to maintain and repair the road. So, from the study about road maintenance management system, it will help the government how to reduce the cost for maintenance and also to make sure the road in good condition with minimum maintenance.
1.3
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study is investigation on how to improve road maintenance management system. To achieve the aim of this study, the following objectives have been set: i.
To study the road maintenance management system in the Malaysia construction industry;
ii.
To identify the common problem in road maintenance management system; and
iii.
To identify the basic approach for improving road maintenance management system.
6
1.4
SCOPE OF STUDY
The scope of research for achieving the goals is focus on maintenance work done for all Federal Road under PWD Supervision and also related to the management system on maintenance at PWD. Road Maintenance Branch is the main target for this study because this branch was implementer for the Road Maintenance Management System. In Road Maintenance Branch, it has a few units that was involved in this study which is “Unit Kejuruteraan Pemulihan Jalan”, “Unit Pengurusan dan Penyelengaraan Jalan Zon Tengah/Timur”, “Unit Pengurusan dan Pemyelengaraan Jalan Zon Selatan”, “Unit Pengurusan dan Penyelengaraan Jalan Zon Utara” and “Unit Kejuruteraan Senggara”.
1.5
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
To carry out the study, several research methodologies were used, which includes initial discussion, literature review, data collection, data analysis and conclusion. Figure 1.1 showed the flow chart of Research Methodology used to achieve the objectives that have been set.
7
Figure 1.1: Flow Chart of Research Methodology
8
1.6
SUMMARY OF CHAPTERS
Chapter One explained about the background of study and the problem of statement. The aim and objective are defined in this chapter including the scope of study. Flow chart of the research methodology is also highlighted in this chapter to give an overall guideline for this study.
Chapter Two discussed about the literature review of this study. This chapter explained the theoretical background of the study and discuss the work done by previous researchers.
Chapter Three discussed about the research methodology. This chapter described the detail methodology used for this study. The research methodology includes literature review, data collection, data analysis and conclusion.
Chapter Four discussed about the Road Maintenance Management System which currently implemented at Public work Department. The process of Road Maintenance Management System was confirmed through the interviews and archives data.
Chapter Five discussed about the data analysis which were gathered though the interviews and questionnaires. The method of the analysis used in this study is an average index.
Chapter Six discussed about the conclusion and the recommendation for this study. The conclusion was based on the objective given at the initial study. Recommendation for the further study is also highlighted in this chapter.
9
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of literature review was to study the theoretical background on about Road Maintenance Management System through the journals, books, references, internet and articles. The study was related to the aim and objectives of this study. This chapter discuss on the definition of maintenance, function and value of maintenance, road maintenance process, the problems and approach for improving the Road Maintenance Management System.
10
2.1
DEFINITION OF MAINTENANCE
According to Haas (1978) the definition of maintenance varies among agencies. In a physical sense, maintenance consists of a set of activities directed toward keeping a structure in a serviceable state. For pavement, this includes such work as patching, crack, filling and so on. Following are some definition of maintenance from different sources.
i.
Definition from BS3811 : 1984 describes maintenance as combination of technical and management work done on a specific asset or structure to ensure the structure is in good condition and is functioning at its maximum capacity . They are two types of maintenance: •
Maintenance involving repairing work
•
Maintenance involving prevention work.
Repairation can be described as rehabilitation or replacement of spoiled components meanwhile prevention is to prevent defects from occurring. ii.
Definition from Oxford Advance Learner’s English Dictionary describes maintenance as the action of maintaining something or the state of being maintained.
iii.
From Majdi, et al (2002), definition of pavement maintenance can be described as methods and techniques used to restore or maintain a specified level of service and to prolong pavement life by slowing its deterioration rate.
As a summary, the main and only objective of maintenance is to ensure the specific structure being maintained is in a good and acceptable condition and will not cause inconvenience to the users.
11
2.2
FUNCTION AND VALUE OF MAINTENANCE
The effectiveness of a maintenance system or work can be assessed through the performance of structure before and after maintenance. The best person to do the assessment will be the users themselves because only users will feel the differences and therefore can comment on the performance of the specific structure.
2.2.1
FUNCTION OF MAINTENANCE
Maintenance works are done to achieve desired goals determined during stages. The main functions in maintaining the roads in a condition that gives good service and maximum safety to the travelling public. This is achieved by keeping the road free of disconcerting physical defects such as potholed pavements, broken pavement edges, loose gravels, stick surfaces, loose and defective bridges decks and other imperfections.
12
2.2.2
VALUE OF MAINTENANCE
What is the actual value of maintenance? Building or any other structure that will last longer with proper and continuous maintenance. Poor maintenance may result in the need for reparation, renovation or reconstruction, which will increase in cost at the end of life cycle of the structure. The value of maintenance is discussed from the aspect of: i.
Time
Compared to time required for reparation and renovation on a structure, maintenance consumes less time, but can produce better quality results. Besides, work qualities for maintenance are also relatively lesser compare to reparation and renovation.
ii.
Cost
Definitely the costs required by maintenance are lesser then cost required to repair or to rebuild a structure. Furthermore, a specific structure can still be running under maintenance hence saving cost from the economic perspective. For example, closing a runway is a must for resurfacing, will lower the benefit that can be generated during that period.
iii.
Structure value and performance
Structure will have high value and good performance during its service life if maintenance works are done according to schedule and plan. Without proper maintenance, a structure will not be able to provide services at its maximum performance all the time.
13
2.3
OBJECTIVES OF ROAD MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
From the report by OECD Scientific Expert Group (1995), a Road Maintenance Management System (RMMS) is a maintenance management process aimed at systematically and objectively determining pavement quality and programming maintenance actions in response to observed conditions, budgetary constraints and economic optimisation (reduction of user costs, optimising agency maintenance cost). The RMMS is a tool which provides assistance to the maintenance
engineer
for
maintenance
programming,
implementation
and
monitoring.
The major objectives of a Road Maintenance Management System are the following: i.
Provide the economic and managerial framework for deciding the optimal level of maintenance funding and the optimum level of pavement condition nationwide in both the long-term and short-term perspectives;
ii.
Provide sound methods for developing annual works programmes and determine resource requirements and budgets;
iii.
Allocate funds in a rational and optimised manner to the various maintenance tasks and administrations, particularly under budgetary constrains;
iv.
Schedule and perform the work;
v.
Monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of the works carried out; and
vi.
Evaluate the consequences of delaying or postponing maintenance on future budget needs and the future deterioration of pavement condition.
14
2.4
THE ROAD MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT PROCESS
It has to be recognized that the process is applied to an existing road network. New construction is generally a small part of the whole, but it does need to be considered within the broader context. The objective is to apply sound knowledge about the road network and its users in order to make the best possible use of resources available and maximise benefits to society. Tillotson et al (1996) from their study, the main factors needed in road maintenance management process may be summarized as follows.
i.
Inventory. The purpose of the inventory data is to establish what there is to be managed and where it is located;
ii.
Condition. The condition of a road needs to be measured or assessed with sufficient precision to enable the need for repair or replacement to be established within a framework of priorities;
iii.
Traffic. The purpose of the road network is to carry traffic. The amount of traffic on a particular road is an important factor for establishing priorities for repair or replacement. The amount of traffic also contributes to deterioration;
iv.
Deterioration. All roads deteriorate. It is the rate at which deterioration will take place that needs to be understood as an essential element of a long-term road maintenance strategy;
v.
Costs and benefits. These are the basis of prioritization within a road management system that aim to maximise benefits to society rather than respond to political pressures;
vi.
Resources. We defined these to be the physical constraints including people and their abilities together with the equipment and materials;
vii.
Budget. This provides the financial constraint that limits repairs and replacements. The overall budget is likely to be subdivided into allocations for specific sub-networks such as main roads and secondary roads. The RMS should aim to advise on overall budget and allocations within that budget in order to achieve long-term goals;
15
viii.
Standards and policies. These reflect the long-term plans and will be developed by predicting the future network condition in response to different budgets, different traffic predictions and different standards and policies; and
ix.
Management information. Effective decision-making and subsequent audit depend upon the quality of information. All the information involved in the various components of the system must be readily available and in appropriate form for each of the management functions.
According to the report by OECD Scientific Expert Group, the RMMS consists of the following procedures and elements: i. Data acquisition and retrieval/databank ii. Data analyses/models, constraints iii. Optimization making, implementation/annual work schedules iv. Follow up/ monitoring system
Refering to the Figure 2.1 is the basic elements of a Road Maintenance Management System.
16
Figure 2.1 Basic elements of a Road Maintenance Management System
17
2.5
PROBLEMS
OR
ISSUES
IN
ROAD
MAINTENANCE
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Haas et al (1994) have grouped the RMMS related issues and expected outputs at legislative level, administrative level and technical level.
2.5.1
Legislative Level Issues
The legislative level issues as given below are fairly broad in scope and must be recognized by the administrative and technical levels. i. Justification of budget request; ii. Effects of less capital and maintenance funding; iii. Effects of deferring work or lowering standards; iv. Effects of budget request on future status network; and v. Effects of increased load limits.
2.5.2
Administrative Level Issues
The administrative level issues are related to the decision making process including budget and programming priorities. i.
An objectively based priority program to provide justification for budget requests;
ii. A summary assessment of the current status of the network, in graphical and tabular format, based on inventory measurements;
18
iii. The means for quantitatively determining the effects of lower budget levels, and the budget level required to keep the network in its present state; iv. The means for quantitatively demonstrating the effects of deferring maintenance or rehabilitation; v.
Estimates of the future status of the network (in terms of average serviceability, condition, safety, etc.) for the expected funding;
vi. Costs of pavement management implementation, including inventory, assignment of responsibility and manpower requirements; implementation staging and schedule, etc; and vii. Implementation experience of others and documentation of their experience.
2.5.3
Technical Level Issues
From a technical perspective, pavement management involves a large number of issues and questions. In addition, the question and issues faced at the administrative level must be appreciated if technical activities are to be meaningful. The following is an example listing of some of the key questions for this level, involving both network and project considerations:
i.
Inventory database design and operation;
ii.
Methods and adequacy of inventory database;
iii.
Models for predicting traffic, performance, distress, skid, etc., - their reliability, consistency, reasonableness, deficiencies;
iv.
Criteria for minimum serviceability, minimum skid, maximum distress, minimum structural adequacy – reasonableness, effects of changes in criteria, etc;
v.
Models for priority analysis and network optimization;
vi.
Verification of models;
vii.
Relating project (sub) optimization to network optimization;
19
viii. Method for characterizing materials and using results; ix.
Sensitivity of model analysis results to variations in factors;
x.
Construction Quality control;
xi.
Effects on construction and maintenance on pavement performance;
xii.
Communication among design, construction and maintenance, within existing administrative structure;
xiii. Guidelines of pavement management implementation; xiv. Relating pavement management to maintenance management; and xv.
Improving the technology of pavement management and making use of implementation projects for this purpose.
2.6
IMPROVING ROAD MAINTENANCE MANGEMENT SYSTEM
Every system which is practicing now has their strength and weakness together with the improvement in technology. So, for the Road Maintenance Management System was not excluded and need to improve the system time by time. A systematic approach to maintenance management is needed for several reasons:
i.
Provide information on the current state of pavements and forecast future condition;
ii.
Give objective alternatives for maintenance policies;
iii.
Provide a sound basis for resource allocation and optimal use of funds;
iv.
Increase the effectiveness of management and provide savings in expenditure; and
v.
Provide an objective, rapid and repeatable system for decision making.
20
Grigg (1985) was concluded that five categories interdisciplinary need to improve in maintenance management.
i. Improve the processes of public works management. In this category four elements of the research problem appear: to improve the effectiveness of public works managers, to improve the processes of management, to use computer – based tools, and to encourage innovation in management; ii. Utilize new technologies and materials in road management. This field of technology contains many opportunities for improving the cost effectiveness of services, including instruments to measure performance and predict failures, materials for construction and repair, use of information systems and models to locate problems, and making in situ repairs and tests; iii. Reduce constraints caused by codes, standards and incentive structures. The specific studies needed, according to that report, were an inventory of federal standards, an analysis of relationships between key federal standards and the related state, local, and professional standard areas; an evaluation of the likely impact of federal standards on the overall cost; and an analysis of the opportunity costs; iv. Improve the financial capacity for road maintenance management. Four elements to this question include managing finances to make services self supporting, determining the best roles of the three levels of government, evaluating tax and regulatory policies, and evaluating the results of privatization; and v. Adjust maintenance management of future pattern of living. Consider trade offs, and where a level or service cannot be maintained, bite the bullet and reduce it.
21
2.7
SUMMARY
In summary this chapter, has discussed about the process, problems and how to improve the Road Maintenance Management System. The main objective of maintenance is to ensure the specific structure being maintained in a good and acceptable condition and will not cause inconvenience to the users. There are three value in road maintenance which are cost, time and performance. The process of Road Maintenance Management System is only applied on existing road. There are three levels of problem which occur during Road Maintenance Management System and whereby this system needs to improve from time to time together with the technology. This information from the previous study can also be used as a guidance and guidelines.
22
CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY OF STUDY
3.0
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of research methodology is to provide a sound platform for the researcher to achieve the aim and objectives of the study. This chapter highlights the chronological order of research methodology, discusses on how the research methodology will be conducted in order to achieve the objectives of this research. It is also important in obtaining relevant primary data from the selected group. From there, an analysis is conducted to study the data obtained from respondent and finally, based on the results obtained, a conclusion is derived.
23
3.1
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology conducted in this study is to make sure the study was done with the right procedure. Research methodology can be broken down into five stages. They are listed below in chronological order: 1. Literature review; 2. Data collection; 3. Data analysis; and 4. Conclusion and comment
3.2
LITERATURE REVIEW
In order to conduct a literature review, reading materials such as books, journals, online journals, online websites and conference papers are gathered. These reading materials provide a good source for secondary data needed for this research will be recorded. From there, this data serves as a benchmark for primary data collection.
24
3.3
DATA COLLECTION
Data can be obtained from various sources and it is important to look for data at the right place. Data required for research purpose can be divided into two types, as discuss below.
3.3.1 Primary data
The collection of first hand information from the target audience. The data collection can be done through two methods as follows: i.
Questionnaires A questionnaire can be drawn up and distributed to the target personnel to obtain the required data. In this study, 30 of questionnaires was distributed to those who are involved in maintenance activities at Public Work Department. This main purpose is to identify problem and improving the RMMS. Question asked should focus on matters related to objectives.
25
ii.
Interview
Interview is very important and the main source to obtain the data for this study. Interview method was used to clarify the data obtained from archives and questionnaires. This step is important to further understand the maintenance process of works in PWD. Interviews were held with maintenance officers of Department Of Maintenance, PWD to obtain direct information and data needed.
iii.
Archive Archives data is the data obtained from the PWD. From archives that enabled the identification of area of study. The use of this data is to confirm all information and other details to be used in the final analysis of this research.
3.3.2 Secondary data
Secondary data can be obtained through literature, references such as books, journals, conference papers, magazines, newspapers, reports, internet surfing and so on.
26
3.4
DATA ANALYSIS
All data must be scrutinized carefully to eliminate the irrelevant elements. Relevant and useful data will be sorted and organized in such a way as to simplify data analysis. Statistical tools will be applied in computing results and drawing conclusions.
All data must be scrutinized carefully to eliminate the irrelevant elements. Relevant and useful data will be sorted and organized in such a way as to simplify data analysis. Statistical tools will be applied in computing results and drawing conclusions.
3.4.1
Average index
Abd. Majid, and McCaffer (1997), show the average index is calculated using the following formula
ax ∑xi
∑ i i
Average Index =
Where,
ai = constant that represent the weight of i, xi = variables that represent the respondent frequency for i i
= 1,2,3,4,5.
27
To determine the satisfaction level of related personnel on maintenance management system, average index method with five different scales is used. The scales are shown below:
1 = ‘Very satisfied’
1.00 < Average Index < 1.50
2 = ‘Satisfied’
1.50 < Average Index < 2.50
3 = ‘Average satisfied’
2.50 < Average Index < 3.50
4 = ‘Not satisfied’
3.50 < Average Index < 4.50
5 = ‘Least satisfied’
4.50 < Average Index < 5.00
The result and the average index for each part will be shown in the same table.
3.5
SUMMARY
In this chapter, all the procedure or the methodology of the study was explained. Research methodology started with literature review in which the data serves as a benchmark for this study. Data required for research purpose can be divided into two types which is Primary Data and Secondary Data. The data collected and were analysed an using Average Index.
28
CHAPTER 4
ROAD MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AT PUBLIC WORK DEPARTMENT
4.0
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter will discuss about the Road Maintenance Management System at Public Work Department. It explains the detail procedure for Road Maintenance Management System which was applied at Public Work Department. The cycle of maintenance is elaborated including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and evaluation.
29
4.1
ROLE OF PUBLIC WORK DEPARTMENT
Public Works Department is synonymous with the road, that’s the impression most people in Malaysia. This is because the Public Work Department has been involved with the construction and maintenance of road infrastructure since the prior independent. Among the major services to the people of the Public Work Department road network construction in the area regional development such as Felda, Felcra, Ketengah, and others, the East-West Highway (Gerik Jeli), and Jalan Simpang PulaiPos Selim-Lojing. Public Work Department role in the management of the Federal Road was entrusted because strictly using an act such as Transportation Act 1987 Act (Act 333) and the Traffic Rules and Regulation.
4.2
ROAD MAINTENANCE CYCLE
Road network is essential for economic and social development. In Malaysia, more than 96% of transportation of goods carried by road network. Thus, the efficient of road management is very important because for every ringgit if not spent on road maintenance will increased the transportation costs between RM2 to RM4. The efficiency of road maintenance can avoid accidents. Estimated loss due to road accidents is between 1% to 3% of Gross Domestic Product.
In 2006, Y.B. Dato ‘Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, has given instructions to PWD to manage all government assets and the use of effective methods for adding or maintain the value of the asset. In response to government mandates and trust of the people, maintained Branch of Road Maintenance Facilities (CSFJ), branch established specifically to manage the assets of the Federal Road to the PWD, constantly strive to improve asset management practices with the chisel management principles assets. The road maintenance cycle practicing by PWD are listed below:
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i.
Initiation – get information about the asset (road) from the database, annual data collection, feedback and also the complaint system;
ii.
Planning – plan the budgeting using the prioritizing systems are HDM4/BMS/SPRS;
iii.
Execution – use the work program to implementation by PWD state and also privatization;
iv.
Monitoring/control – PWD control the maintenance based on the monthly progress, quarterly financial meeting and audit; and
v.
Evaluation – performance monitoring, system improvement and value adding.
Figure 4.1 Road Maintenance Cycle
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4.3
ROAD MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE
4.3.1
Pavement Management System
Malaysia recognizes the need for a systematic approach to pavement management as early as 1986 when the Public Works Department initiated and adopted the Borough Snaith Maintenance (BSM) system. It was the first pavement management system in Malaysia. In association with this project was the first extensive data collection exercise was mooted. BSM which was labour intensive and later superceded with another system which was developed in 1992. In 1992, Malaysia conducted the National Axle Load Study. The Pavement Appraisal and Management Suite (PAMS) which is based on econometric model and uses HDM-III technology was developed and adopted, and simultaneously, the data collection methodology was changed accordingly. Subsequently, Malaysia adopted HDM-4 in 2002 with the Roads Asset Management System (RAMS) project. This project builds on data and knowledge available within PAMS, and utilizes the latest models available in HDM-4. This project was jointly completed by PWD, Kumpulan IKRAM, ARRB Transport Research and TRL, UK. The primary objective of RAMS is to provide JKR with a network level planning and programming tool to manage its Federal Road network.
4.3.2 Data Collection Strategy
Currently, the data collection exercise for federal roads in Malaysia is carried out at 3 years cycle. It is divided into 3 region namely northern (Perlis, Penang, Kedah, Perak and Selangor), southern/East Malaysia (Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan) and eastern (Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang).
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The data collection activities are carried out by PWD’s Maintenance Unit through the Kumpulan IKRAM Sdn Bhd (IKRAM). Upon completion of the data processing and coding, IKRAM will submit the data to PWD for them to perform the Programme Analysis in HDM-4. The output from HDM-4 i.e. maintenance programme will then be passed to Maintenance Unit at respective state levels for them to proceed with the site verification. Two main objectives of doing the site verification are to ensure that the proposed treatment location is accurate hence proposing actual treatment at that particular location. Apart from populating the collected data into RAMS/HDM4, it was also used to be analyse the overall current condition of the federal roads. Various parameters such as roughness, cracking, rutting and texture depth will be analysed and reported as an average condition of the network respectively. The condition is determined or identified based on the agreed performance indicator’s band as shown in the table below.
Although there is an agreed performance indicators, it is subjected to change due to variation in material characteristics as well as pavement deterioration performance. Study carried out in Malaysia in 1980’s showed that the main mode of failure is cracking.
Besides the pavement functional condition analysis, axle load survey also being carry out and will be used as one of the important input in the RAMS. It is also being used to monitor the increment of the number of axle or damaging factor over a period of time. In our case is the interval of monitoring period.
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Table 4.1: Bands of Performance Indicator
Parameter
Roughness
Category Good
Fair
Poor
PWD
PWD
PWD
< 3.0
3.0 IRI 5
> 5.0
(m/km) All Crack Area
15
(%) Rutting
10
>0.5
0.3 TD 0.5
< 0.5
>0.65
0.65 SRV 0.55
