The aim of this research project was to find out to what extent work processes in the field of road maintenance (excluding winter maintenance as well as the maintenance of bridges and tunnels) can be made more efficient and more effective. An official list of the maintenance tasks involving work on the roads can be found in the Road Maintenance Requirements Specification Book for federal highways (2004). However, the different sections of work listed in this publication are described in a results-driven rather than an execution-driven manner, hence lacking a detailed description of work methods and required vehicles and tools. The research project thus turned these very aspects into its objects of study. The goal of the project was to make recommendations based on the relevant literature as well as field analyses in order to optimize work processes, improve the use of technology as well as the utilization of vehicles and machines for summer maintenance services in highway and road maintenance units. Ergonomic aspects were considered as well, so as to facilitate the inclusion of these findings in the recommendations. Following an analysis of the relevant literature, macro analyses were conducted in 15 maintenance units and micro analyses in 10 maintenance units. Based on the macro analyses 12 research priorities were determined, which then guided the microanalyses. Using the results of the micro analyses, the project developed potentials for improvement and made recommendations regarding work processes, organization, use of technology, and ergonomics. In the course of a pilot study, short-range recommendations that were comparatively easy to implement were tested in three road maintenance units. This trial run was subsequently evaluated in cooperation with the respective units. The findings of the pilot study were then included in the development of practice-oriented recommendations. In accordance with the research priorities of the project, the result is a list of concise suggestions for improvement in the field of road maintenance. Furthermore, the results include concrete ways of putting these suggestions into practice as well as additional information on the research objectives and other aspects that might have to be considered in specific cases. In addition to that, three products were developed that are geared directly towards practical use. Firstly, a collection compiled in the course of the project provides positive examples that were already in place in some of the maintenance units and had proven themselves in practice. Secondly, an Excel tool was developed in order to aid the maintenance unit in compiling and maintaining a task pool. A guideline was developed in order to enable the maintenance units to develop a plan for the preventive maintenance and upkeep without further external assistance. Given these findings, it becomes evident that especially in road maintenance services the goal of time-efficient and goal-oriented processes can only be reached through a successful balancing of the stresses faced by the workers. Moreover, the existing potential can only be tapped by expanding the exchange of knowledge and strengthening communication between the maintenance units with regard to organizational items and shared vehicles and equipment. All these factors are addressed in the results of the present research project. (Author/publisher)
Abstract