Finland´s revised winter maintenance strategies and quality standards 2001 Leppänen, Anne ; Penttinen, Olli
Language: English Language: French Series: ; topic I-30Publication details: XIth international winter road congress 2002, Sapporo [Japan] / XIe congres international de la viabilite hivernale 2002, Sapporo [Japon]. Paper, 2002Description: 10 sSubject(s): Bibl.nr: VTI 2002.0071Location: Abstract: The winter maintenance policy of public roads in Finland was previously revised at the end of 1995. The policy was revised at that time to bring it in line with the extensive Road Traffic in Finland Project. The results of research conducted in the project are for the most part still usable and also form a basis for new policies. Several studies were also made on the general development of road safety, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, and the environmental and economic effects of maintenance. In 2001 the Finnish National Road Administration was divided into the Finnish Road Administration, which orders services from producers, and the Finnish Road Enterprise, which takes care of construction and maintenance and also provides consultation services. As the functions were separated it became necessary to reconsider the manner in which the level of service is specified in contract documents, especially regarding quality standards, so that all involved parties would understand the issues in the same way. Correct procedures and correct timing have a major impact on road safety and smooth traffic flow. Especially on main roads, they also affect optimal salt use and thereby in the long term they affect the environment. The winter maintenance policy is a document that describes the principles and policies according to which the orderer wishes winter maintenance to be implemented. It specifies the desired level of service and includes the main quality standards used to describe that level of service. The policy also presents current views that act as guidelines for winter maintenance. Although the main idea of the guidelines in the policy is still the same, they have been partly revised and supplemented. The revised policy and quality standards are being taken into use in Finland in public road contracts beginning October 1, 2001. This presentation brings forth the issues that have centrally affected the formation of the policy, presents the new policy and quality standards, and describes how they have changed compared to the previous ones.| Current library | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Statens väg- och transportforskningsinstitut | Available |
The winter maintenance policy of public roads in Finland was previously revised at the end of 1995. The policy was revised at that time to bring it in line with the extensive Road Traffic in Finland Project. The results of research conducted in the project are for the most part still usable and also form a basis for new policies. Several studies were also made on the general development of road safety, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, and the environmental and economic effects of maintenance. In 2001 the Finnish National Road Administration was divided into the Finnish Road Administration, which orders services from producers, and the Finnish Road Enterprise, which takes care of construction and maintenance and also provides consultation services. As the functions were separated it became necessary to reconsider the manner in which the level of service is specified in contract documents, especially regarding quality standards, so that all involved parties would understand the issues in the same way. Correct procedures and correct timing have a major impact on road safety and smooth traffic flow. Especially on main roads, they also affect optimal salt use and thereby in the long term they affect the environment. The winter maintenance policy is a document that describes the principles and policies according to which the orderer wishes winter maintenance to be implemented. It specifies the desired level of service and includes the main quality standards used to describe that level of service. The policy also presents current views that act as guidelines for winter maintenance. Although the main idea of the guidelines in the policy is still the same, they have been partly revised and supplemented. The revised policy and quality standards are being taken into use in Finland in public road contracts beginning October 1, 2001. This presentation brings forth the issues that have centrally affected the formation of the policy, presents the new policy and quality standards, and describes how they have changed compared to the previous ones.