Rating system for Finnish roads

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master_Benny_Christy_2024.pdf (1.97 MB)

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School of Engineering | Master's thesis
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Date

2024-10-31

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Mcode

Degree programme

Master's Programme in Geoengineering

Language

en

Pages

117

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Abstract

Road infrastructure plays a pivotal role in enhancing economic and social development by improving transportation efficiency and safety. However, increased construction activities also contribute to emissions, prompting the need for road rating systems. A road rating system is a tool used to evaluate and rate roads based on predefined criteria, which may include sustainability, environmental impact, safety, and performance. It helps authorities, planners, and stakeholders measure how well a road meets certain standards and objectives. Rating systems developed for specific countries often require tailoring when applied elsewhere. However, there is no road rating system specifically tailored for Finland. This thesis aims to develop a tailored road rating system for Finnish highways. The system integrates the unique conditions of Finland, such as the freeze-thaw cycle, rutting, use of studded tires, winter weather management, safety, wildlife protection, and water conservation. The proposed system evaluates highways across five main categories: environmental sustainability; road use and safety; infrastructure and maintenance; accessibility and public interaction; and operational efficiency and innovation. Each category is assessed using a point-based scoring system, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation while remaining adaptable to the road conditions of Finland. The developed road rating system was demonstrated through a pilot test on the Vt 12 Eteläinen Kehätie in Lahti. The road scored 91 out of 110, which indicates a well-designed, sustainable, and safe road, with only minor areas requiring improvements. Based on the pilot test results and stakeholder feedback, the road rating system was found to be simple and effective in encouraging sustainability, innovation, and safety. The developed rating system can be utilised to assess the ability of Finnish roads to meet environmental goals, functionality, safety standards, and maintenance needs, guiding infrastructure development and improvements. The current system is designed for use in the operational phase of highways. With minimal modifications, it could be applied to various phases of road projects, offering flexibility for future adjustments. A limitation of the developed rating system is the subjectivity in scoring, which could be resolved by piloting the rating system on various highways by different users.

Description

Supervisor

Raitanen, Nina

Thesis advisor

Cannone Falchetto, Augusto

Keywords

rating system, sustainability, road safety, efficiency, connectivity, innovation

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202412107652

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[dipl] Insinööritieteiden korkeakoulu / ENG