Geotechnical Challenges Facing The Roads And Maritime Services

Heavy rainfall in early 2012 caused several highways to be temporarily closed due to flooding or slopes that had collapsed leaving the roadway impassable. Rainfall is still one of the most challenging elements for geotechnical practitioners to provide 24/7 community access to the road network. In the future limited funding for maintenance will require more accurate slope assessments, real time monitoring, innovative durable slope treatments and the development of methodology to assist in cost effective risk management of slope assets.

In the past the RTA (now RMS) has utilised subject matter experts within the organisation and the consulting industry to assess slopes and other geotechnical structures. The use of external practitioners to support the RMS to maintain the road corridor is unlikely to change in the future as the demands to finish sections of the Pacific and Princess Highways continues.

• The top five issues facing RMS geotechnical practitioners are:
• Slope risk assessment and management, and cost effective design solutions
• Deep wall excavation and the elimination of potential damage to the road corridor
• Effective site investigations, interpretation and quality reporting
• Mine subsidence and its impact on the infrastructure
• Ongoing training of young staff before the ageing practitioners retire

This paper will detail these challenges and how RMS geotechnical staff are managing the implementation of technical directions, specifications and training to manage new projects and the effective maintenance of the road corridors in NSW.