KUCHING: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Faculty of Engineering has offered suggestions on how to better allocate Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS) funding for local councils’ road maintenance and repair.
Its senior lecturer Larry Silas Tirau clarified that the funding shortage issue raised by local councils was mainly related to the costly and extensive process of road resurfacing.
However, he also pointed out that not all roads registered under MARRIS required road resurfacing, estimating that only around 20-30 per cent were in need of attention.
This comes in response to recent comments raised by Padawan Municipal Council chairman Lo Khere Chiang about insufficient MARRIS funding for the councils.
“When it comes to roads damaged due to landslides or road embankments, there are different grants that can be utilised.
“It is important for local authorities to explore these options and ensure that funds are used wisely,” said Larry
To address the lack of funds for road maintenance and repair, Larry recommended that local authorities implement careful planning and assessment of road problems, using priority-based maintenance methods.
“Periodical visual and systematic assessment tasks need to be done to obtain PSI (Present Serviceability Index), which allows for funds to be allocated accordingly.
“This initiative ensures maintenance funds are well spent, and some extra savings can be used for another crucial project,” he said.
Larry also highlighted traffic loading as a factor that speeds up pavement distress.
“Loading restrictions are necessary to protect roads from early deterioration.
“Pavement layers were designed to support a certain loading through Estimated Standard Axle Load (ESAL) calculation that projected up to 10 years of service life. However, the calculation of ESAL requires the latest loading data, as fully loaded trailers are not the same now as they were in the 1960s,” he added.
To better estimate the standard axle load for pavement design, Larry suggested conducting a comprehensive load study at the national level by the Ministry of Works.
He said this would help to determine valid commercial loading data for ESAL estimation.
“Another suggestion is to enforce new rules on overloading commercial vehicles to ensure lorry drivers adhere to the law,” he added.
