Monitoring and managing the condition of road paving across an entire province is a daunting task in anyone’s book and the proliferation of potholes on trucking routes is a clear sign that more needs to be done as far as road maintenance is concerned. It therefore comes as good news that the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWR&T) has implemented an innovative road Maintenance Management System (MMS) that promises to improve road conditions in the truck-heavy province.
Developed in collaboration with leading consulting engineering and infrastructure advisory practice Zutari, the road MMS assists the department in managing maintenance activities by facilitating task planning, allocating tasks to teams, tracking work completion and generating reports.
“It is a comprehensive tool for managing road maintenance activities across the entire road network in the province,” explains Dr Chris von Holdt, Zutari director: Asset Management.
Public assisted road issue reporting
In addition to having a web-based interface for the DPWR&T’s operational staff, the system includes a pothole logging web application that can be accessed by the public, facilitating the reporting of road-related issues.
“This provides valuable information to the department, enabling it to schedule maintenance and effectively carry out the repair work required,” says von Holdt.
According to M. Rikhotso, Mpumalanga acting deputy director general: Public Infrastructure: “The road MMS sets a benchmark for the country as a whole. It is very forward-thinking for us to adopt this approach at a provincial level. Based on what we have seen, it could really be a game changer if implemented successfully, as we envision.”
The Zutari system captures road maintenance issues and includes comprehensive work order management, explains Bheki Walter Shabangu, senior project manager: Mpumalanga Transport Infrastructure Roads Planning: “Whether road maintenance issues are publicly reported or identified through departmental inspections, they are moved through the process of planning and executing the maintenance work.
“The new system also covers executing the work, recording it, and incorporates features such as job card inspections on work done for approval. In addition, we have developed a mobile app specifically for foremen working on-site to reduce paper usage by digitising the work process and capturing evidence, such as photos, of completed tasks.”
Another important feature is fuel and materials management, as the MMS tracks fuel and materials expenditure and provides a detailed view of maintenance costs, both in the short and long term. A dashboard offers full visibility of operations across the entire province, allowing managers at different levels to monitor maintenance activities.
“It is a robust and comprehensive system that significantly supports the department in managing its maintenance operations,” states Shabangu.
A ‘revolution’ in road maintenance and pothole eradication?
For acting chief director, Mpumalanga Transport Infrastructure, R. Masia, the Zutari system is a game-changer: “Imagine a central system where all maintenance information is visible from one location, allowing assessment across the entire province down to individual cost centres and work teams!
“It is revolutionising how we manage our road network. In terms of road network maintenance management, it is probably the most sophisticated digital solution being applied in South Africa at present.”
Zutari’s von Holdt defines the need for a cutting-edge management system in the province: “The challenge is that Mpumalanga’s road network is highly trafficked with trucks running heavy loads. There is a lot of mining activity, so the road network takes a lot of punishment from haul trucks in particular. Keeping up with maintenance is a significant undertaking, requiring a systematic and well-informed approach to stay ahead of the demands of the network.
“It is a substantial and important task, involving 28 call centres and several hundred people working daily on maintenance. The goal is to ensure this effort is carried out in the most coordinated and structured way possible.”
The road MMS is currently operational and Zutari is assisting the department with comprehensive training to ensure smart working and the greatest impact possible, Holdt adds.
For M.C. Morolo, the DPWR&T’s head of department: “The introduction of the road MMS is a transformative step. The system empowers us with the necessary tools to effectively manage and maintain our extensive road network, particularly in the face of the heavy demands placed upon it by mining activities and traffic.”
Morolo adds: “I am excited about how this system will streamline our maintenance operations and improve our responsiveness to public reporting of road issues. Together with Zutari, we are committed to ensuring that our roads remain safe and functional, thus fostering greater mobility and accessibility for all our communities.”
Mpumalanga DPWR&T MEC, Thulasizwe Thomo, says he is proud to support such an innovative initiative. “This advanced system represents a significant leap forward in how we manage our road infrastructure, enabling precise tracking, efficient task allocation and comprehensive reporting.
“Our collaborative efforts with Zutari epitomise our commitment to improving road maintenance, ensuring safety and reliability for all road users. I firmly believe that this initiative not only addresses current maintenance challenges but also sets a benchmark for similar projects across the nation, enhancing overall transport infrastructure in our province,” Thomo concludes.
