Conference presentation
A case for Road Infrastructure Research and Development
2012 University Research Conference Program Book, p.19
USC Research Conference, 2012 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 09-Jul-2012–13-Jul-2012)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2012
Abstract
At a State Parliament cabinet meeting on 18 May 2012, the Premier stated his five point plan for Queensland for the next 10 years. 1. Grow a five pillar economy through agriculture, tourism, resources and construction 2. Lower the cost of living for families by cutting waste 3. Deliver better infrastructure and better planning 4. Revitalise front line services for families 5. Restore accountability in Government The public road network in Queensland comprises 180,500 kilometres of mainly sealed flexible pavements, the asset valuation of which is estimated at $130 Billion. This makes Queensland's road network the largest publicly owned physical infrastructure (QML 2009). Over the period between 2008 and 2012 the average annual amount spent on Queensland roads was $3.3 Billion making it one of the highest state public expenses (RACQ 2011). What is different about Queensland's Transport Infrastructure? Average annual pavement temperatures are above 25º C (the design value) when bitumen becomes less viscous and hence more unpredictable. Large portions of the road network are inundated regularly; yet we have no local data to model the effect. Larger and heavier trucks use the roads-beef, cane, mining equipment and produce must ultimately be hauled by road yet the design principles used today are based on 1950s technology sourced from US studies, and for many different environmental conditions to that of North America and Europe Why Pavement Research? Notionally pavements are designed for 20 years although many experience a much shorter life cycle. If through University type R&D we can just increase that life cycle by 5% (1 year) we can reduce that $3.3 Billion annual expenditure by $165 million per year This presentation will demonstrate how we will create a full scale testing facility and R&D facility at USC.
Details
- Title
- A case for Road Infrastructure Research and Development
- Authors
- John Yeaman (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
- Publication details
- 2012 University Research Conference Program Book, p.19
- Conference details
- USC Research Conference, 2012 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 09-Jul-2012–13-Jul-2012)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2012
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449273202621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
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