The Public Roads Workshop Seminars are a series of training sessions aimed at local government road managers related to the management of maintenance of road surfaces, sidewalks, bicycle paths, their design, construction and financing. The purpose of the meetings is to increase the level of knowledge and development in the field of project management and to exchange experiences among participants.
The first of four scheduled meetings was held on August 26-27, in Rewia on Zegrzynski Lake, dedicated to road engineers from central and northeastern Poland. It was attended by nearly 80 executives, representatives of cities, municipalities and counties.
A simple method for assessing the condition of road surfaces
We have been involved in road maintenance in Poland for more than a dozen years. The survey methods we use evolve with technological advances and new guidelines. We know the value in road management of up-to-date knowledge of the condition of the road surface and what prevents Polish managers from performing regular survey. Using this information and our know-how, we created ASPEN – a simple smartphone application for performing objective assessments of pavement condition.
Effective use of survey results
Jan Zielinski, a member of HC’s management board, talked about the idea and operation of the ASPEN system, paying particular attention to what happens next with the collected data, which is not yet a value in itself. Effective use of survey results is possible only with correct interpretation. For this we use effective methods of data visualization and evaluation along with fast and convenient online access. An example of a system for sharing road data that enables insightful analysis of the results of survey campaigns is OnKo3.
A practical example of modern survey
During the seminars, we also presented the operation of ASPEN in practice. The audience had the opportunity to learn more about the implementation of a survey campaign in the German city of Gross-Gerau, which we carried out this spring. It included a network of roads, sidewalks and bicycle paths, where the results of the campaign included an assessment and analysis of the condition of individual pavement types, visualized on a map, line profile synchronized with the view of roads available in the OnKo3 system. The final element of the project was the development of a maintenance strategy prepared in accordance with the city council’s requirements. Jan talked about the entire process, as well as the dilemmas we encountered during the planning and execution of the survey.
We support the development of a network of bicycle routes in Warmia and Mazury
Our participation in the seminar was complemented by Paweł Sobczak, an expert in road data sharing, together with Ewa Wojciechowska, Head of the Road Department at ZDW Olsztyn, talked about the comprehensive construction of a network of bicycle routes and UTO facilities in the Warmian-Masurian province. Paul spoke about the key element of digitizing the road network development process that we are implementing in this project. Due to the involvement of many institutions in the entire project, led by ZDW Olsztyn and the Marshal’s Office, through cities, counties and municipalities to the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways, associations and forest districts, it is necessary to use a uniform reference system for all elements of the bicycle route network. This will ensure effective cooperation including convenient exchange of information about bicycle paths and accompanying infrastructure. With a network model prepared in this way, which is integrated with other data, e.g. on traffic, accidents, stops or condition, it is possible to access up-to-date data and results in a uniform standard for all stakeholders. This is a step toward building a digital twin.
“This project is a tangible response to the need to improve safety on public roads, as well as to the changes that await the countries of the European Union towards more sustainable development and coexistence with the environment. Given the increase in traffic on public roads, in an era of impending climate change, policies for rational CO2 emissions and the formation of new lifestyles that are less burdensome for the environment and people, this project is a real step towards the realization of these plans,” said Ms. Ewa Wojciechowska.
The Workshop Seminars were an interesting event and an excellent opportunity to gain up-to-date knowledge in the field of road infrastructure. Meetings for more regions in Poland are planned for autumn of this year, continuously organized by Elamed, publisher of Autostrady, Mosty and Drogi Publiczne magazines recognized in the road industry.