Since 2020, the number of registered private vehicles has increased. The growing number of cars on the road has led to traffic getting worse. This is especially evident during the rainy season when drivers and motorists must brave improperly maintained roads amidst the threats of floods.
During the rainy season, road repairs are put on the backburner and thus, road quality deteriorates. This leads to potholes getting deeper and water pooling in the middle of poorly maintained areas. Indeed, the further aggravated roads can lead to even greater buildups in traffic and frustration for commuters, motorists, and drivers alike. This is why it’s crucial to have proper road maintenance systems in place before the rainy season.
Proactively repairing roads before the rainy season arrives is an essential practice for guaranteeing high-quality infrastructure for the Filipino people. The government and the people must work together to maintain the road’s quality. Constituents must report road damage to the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highway) so that DPWH can deploy a team to repair these road damages as soon as possible.
But you may be wondering, why must the government act fast in repairing these damages, especially before the Philippines experiences the rainy season? You’ll get all your answers here.
What is the importance of road maintenance?
Ask any road user, whether it’s a cyclist, motorist, or driver, and they can tell you all about their frustrations with subpar roads.
Unmaintained roads that have cracks and potholes can damage a car’s suspension, wheels, and alignment. Cyclists and motorists on the other hand are at risk of getting knocked off balance due to low-quality roads.
Vehicles, motorists, and cyclists aren’t the only ones at risk of poor road quality. This can also affect pedestrians because they’re at risk of getting into a traffic accident when a vehicle loses control due to poor roads. So, it’s safe to assume that having a proper road maintenance system benefits everyone.
Additionally, leaving potholes as is can make it worse – especially when subjected to extreme weather conditions. Rigorous asphalt maintenance can lead to bigger savings in the long run because it prevents bigger damage on the road.
During the dry season, governments also take the time to waterproof roads to minimize traffic accidents during the rainy season. It’s common knowledge that cars lose traction on the road when it’s wet. By waterproofing the roads, road users can have a safer driving experience.
Why can’t road maintenance happen during the rainy season?
You may be wondering why it’s so important for proper road maintenance to happen during the dry season. This is because the surface where the asphalt mixture will be poured on is dry, making road repairs much more effective because the asphalt mixture adheres to the subsoil better.
Asphalt mixtures are composed of oil, and oil is a hydrophobic component that repels water. Meaning any contact with water can reduce the effectiveness of asphalt mixes. The oil component of the mix rises to the surface, which reduces the durability of the road, which can lead to disastrous road incidents in the future.
It can also lead to a waste of resources because the roads weren’t made correctly.
When is the rainy season in the Philippines?
Every year from June to November, the Philippines enters its wet season – like clockwork. The Philippines is also known for experiencing a barrage of typhoons during this season, which can lead to floods across the country – even on national highways.
In NLEX and SLEX, vehicles and motorists experience flooding, which can lead to standstill traffic. One step that the government can take to address this is to fix the drainage in these areas.
How can you prepare for road repairs during the rainy season?
While it’s important to maintain roads during the dry season, road damage during the rainy season cannot always be prevented. So, it’s crucial that you also know how to prepare for road repair operations during the wet season.
A critical step in preparing for rainy season road maintenance is to watch the weather reports. Keeping an eye on PAGASA’s weather forecast will allow you to shift your operations accordingly. It’s also important that you have a flexible team that’s armed with the right equipment that can work around the weather schedule.
Aside from this, you want to make sure that the road repairs aren’t scheduled during rush hour as this can contribute to traffic. Make sure road maintenance is executed during off-peak hours while also considering if the area where you’ll be repairing the road is dry.
What is the process for road maintenance?
Road maintenance is a multi-step process. We’ve outlined this for you below:
- Assess the area’s damage.
- Schedule a repair team.
- Clean the damaged area with a broom.
- Trim the area to have a square shape.
- Level the bottom of the square.
- Remove all foreign objects and loose aggregates from the square.
- Apply tack coat on the bottom and side of the square.
- Pour in the patching layer.
- Use a roller to compact the area.
How long does it take to repair a pothole?
Depending on the asphalt crack filling your team will be using, you may need between an hour to a couple of days to execute the job.
Here’s the difference between a cold and hot mix, so you can decide about which type of asphalt to use for your operations.
Cold Mix
Cold mixes are a quick fix that requires less labor. These are durable asphalt mixes that can fill in potholes and make the road usable within an hour. However, this is not as durable as a hot mix because cold mixes are not as pliable as hot mixes.
Hot Mix
Hot mixes are sturdier because the asphalt mix is heated. This allows the mixture to fill all the cracks and holes, thus adhering better to the road surface for a more durable result.
Securing the roads for the rainy season and beyond
Now that you know why you need to take advantage of the dry season when repairing roads, you may be looking for a supplier who can help you fulfill this task.
Rua Seguridad is a trusted supplier of high-quality asphalt. You can count on us to provide your team with the materials you need at any time. Contact us today to start paving durable roads that can withstand any weather.
