Page:America's Highways 1776–1976.djvu/467

 Bridge deck construction has become increasingly mechanized. This finishing machine permits the use of stiffer concrete and produces a smooth deck surface.

Grading equipment had greatly improved by the 60’s and 70’s. This motor grader is not only self-propelled, but also has enough power to push a scraper.

As highway facilities became more and more congested and more people with their respective vehicles were fighting for this precious space on the streets and highways, the public began to resent the highway worker with his equipment taking up space on the public right-of-way, even if it did have to be maintained. The cry was: “Can’t you find some other time to do that; you can’t block the road at this time of day.” So a new emphasis was placed on road maintenance. Maintenance organizations were subjected to numerous external pressures which caused severe internal stresses. Because a maintenance management science had not been developed as fast as the technological improvements or sociological needs, the existing management was not able to cope with the problems of reporting systems, work methods and procedures, performance in terms of quality, quantity and productivity, and planning and scheduling work. An organized formal research program was expanded considerably during this period, with studies covering a wide variety of subjects.

In Virginia between 1963 and 1965, a Federal-aid study was designed to cover nearly every aspect of maintenance management. It involved the collection of data concerning performance of labor and equipment; development and testing of various work methods; establishment of quality, quantity and performance standards; development and testing of a new reporting system; development and testing of a budgeting system; and development and testing of training materials. Other simultaneous studies were in progress which zeroed in on various aspects of maintenance management.

Scraper being pushed by two tractors. Push-loading speeds up the process of loading and hauling heavy materials.

The basic components of maintenance management systems derived from these studies have been accepted by approximately 30 highway maintenance organizations. Such a system enables a highway department to prepare a performance budget showing specific maintenance activities and the resources in personnel, materials and equipment required to carry them out. On this basis, the highway department can develop long-range plans for maintenance operations and evaluate performance of the various field organizational units. This, in turn, indicates where additional 461