Towards a sustainable maintenance management of rural unpaved roads

Local roads and natural resource access roads represent a large proportion of the Canadian road network. Despite an often limited budget, unpaved road managers must have efficient and safe networks. In this context, the development of a decision support system to manage the maintenance of this type of roads is essential. Firstly, a major laboratory and field experimental program has been done to determine practical solutions for stabilization and dust suppressant treatment. Secondly, a life cycle analysis for maintenance of rural road networks is performed in order to quantify the environmental impact of these proposed practical solutions. Finally, a multi-criteria analysis that integrates environmental, social, logistical and technical dimensions is developed and incorporated to the decision support system. The sustainable management of unpaved rural road maintenance as presented in this article is the basis of an innovative way of thinking and managing this type of road networks.