Model solutions in road construction save considerable costs in design, construction and operation of roads and road structures. Therefore, the use of ready-made packages of project proposals — a new initiative of Glavgosexpertiza, the Ministry of Construction of the Russian Federation and the Russian Highways State Company — will soon become a mandatory part of common operations. This information was announced at a special session dedicated to design solutions in road construction in the framework of the XI Road Initiatives Forum.
Expert examination of projects developed using model solutions will in a nutshell consider only the binding to a specific land plot, thus enabling to save time, said Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing Sergei Muzychenko.
In terms of construction itself, for example, the construction of temporary roads utilizing local soils, without the use of sand and crushed stone, also frees up significant resources. This solution is being applied now, in particular, at the construction of the Dyurtyuli-Achit highway, stated Konstantin Mogilny, Head of the Department of Technical Policy and Innovative Technologies, the Russian Highways State Company.
The design book of model solutions contains references to actual solutions and project documentation. It provides recommendations on technological methods, the implementation of which allows to improve the quality and durability of motorways. In shaping the document, special attention was paid to the cost of solutions, durability analysis and costs in the operational phase. Not only does this approach speed up design and construction, but it also cuts down costs throughout the life cycle of motorways.
"We see great potential exactly in transport infrastructure facilities, such as crosswalks over highways, interchanges — everything can be typified through design solutions," claimed Sergei Muzychenko.
The participants of the event emphasized that the application of the design book of model solutions would be a valuable step towards harmonization of design practice. It takes into account a maximum number of factors, including optimum route and traffic flows, safety requirements for vehicular traffic, geographical terrain and minimizing environmental impact.
Concessionaires, for whom road construction is not their primary line of business, also note the benefits and merits of using out-of-the-box design solutions. Thus, Andrei Averin, Deputy General Director of VTB Infrastructure Holding told that advance design of technological sites on the road system under the holding company allows now to noticeably economize on maintenance due to lesser traffic. He also suggested developing the concept of social comfort of road infrastructure within large agglomerations. For one, elevated sections of motorways, he said, could serve as a natural roof for sports fields and other publicly useful outdoor outlets for city dwellers.
The discussion also highlighted the need to take into account characteristic features of road construction outside settlements and in urban spaces. Thus, for the use of model solutions on federal highways, where conditions are relatively homogeneous, recommendations are quite justified and cost-efficient. In particular, the use of model solutions in designing the geometry of transport interchanges will help arrange traffic patterns competently, add up convenience for motorists and increase the efficiency of investments made in their operation.
Amid grand-scale development of the country's road system, the use of the design book of model solutions is especially relevant and will allow to develop a uniform system in road design.
