Literature Review on Gravel Road Maintenance: Current State and Directions for Future Research

Abstract

Gravel roads form a significant share of the global road network, usually in sparsely populated rural areas. They are important, especially in agriculture, tourism, and forestry, connecting rural to urban areas. This systematic literature study comprises 105 reviewed publications on gravel road maintenance. Review articles on maintenance management practices, especially concerning objective condition assessment and data-driven methods (DDMs), are lacking. Therefore, this review provides a concise overview of current gravel road maintenance practices and ongoing research on objective condition assessment and DDMs for gravel road maintenance. It offers researchers in gravel road maintenance and other related fields a clear indication of where to focus their research efforts, as it suggests the direction for future research. Visual assessment methods are predominant for monitoring the condition of gravel roads, while objective methods and DDMs are not common. Research on gravel roads and their maintenance has increased in the last two decades, especially in North America and Northern Europe. Condition assessment is shifting from subjective to objective methods, utilizing knowledge from technological advancements in image processing, vibration and acoustics analysis, and so forth. There are some excellent research initiatives for objectively assessing the condition of gravel roads and DDMs, but the practical implementation is limited. Implementing objective assessment methods and DDMs generally improves the management of gravel roads with regard to decision-making, maintenance costs, safety, and the stability and comfort of the ride. Objective condition assessment and DDMs have the potential to enhance maintenance practices in the maintenance of gravel roads.

A Comparative Assessment of Bridge Deck Wearing Surfaces: Performance, Deterioration, and Maintenance

“…Gravel wearing surfaces are typically utilized for low-volume roads and temporary bridges, necessitating continuous maintenance and re-graveling to maintain the desired surface quality and level of service [22]. Indicators of deterioration for gravel roads include surface roughness, gravel loss, rut depth, and loose gravel [22]. Bridges with Gravel decks often experience low traffic levels [9].…”

Next-Gen Remote Airport Maintenance: UAV-Guided Inspection and Maintenance Using Computer Vision

“…Countries with vast, sparsely populated areas such as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand also rely on gravel runways for connecting remote communities. Additionally, developing nations with limited road and rail infrastructure, like parts of Africa, Papua New Guinea, and Pacific Islands, could potentially benefit from our automated runway inspection and maintenance system [34].…”