ROAD AND STREET MAINTENANCE: TASK FOR TOP-FLIGHT MANAGEMENT

A BRIEF HISTORY IS PRESENTED OF INDUSTRIAL PLANT MAINTENANCE TO POINT OUT THE COST OF MAINTAINING, OPERATING OR PRODUCING FACILITIES IN MOST INDUSTRIAL PLANTS. THE SAME INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES SHOULD BE APPLIED TO ROAD MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS. THE MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION MUST BE READY TO ACCEPT THE PLANNING AND SCHEDULING NECESSARY. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE STANDARDS FOR THE VARIOUS ROAD MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS ARE NECESSARY AND ENABLE PROJECT TIME PREDICTION, PERFORMANCE EVALUATION, AND LEVEL OF SERVICE DEFINITIONS. EXTENSIVE ON-AND-OFF-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS ARE NEEDED TO FAMILIARIZE PERSONNEL WITH NEW EQUIPMENT AND METHODS, AND TO INSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF MAINTENANCE MANAGERS ABLE TO PERFORM EFFICIENTLY IN THE MODERN ORGANIZATION. PLANNING AND SCHEDULING ROAD MAINTENANCE PROJECTS ARE DISCUSSED.