How far in the future do you plan your road maintenance costs? Many county officials only make it through the next year, responding to needs as they arise. They track annual road maintenance costs using those numbers to make decisions going forward. But even with such a short-sighted view, it’s easy to see the challenges ahead: rising maintenance costs, stagnating …
Life on the Side of an Unpaved Road
The Stories and Science Behind the Plague of Fugitive Gravel Road Dust Google “residents complain about road dust” and you’ll get over 17 million results, with lists of local news articles citing community complaints about the detrimental effect of gravel road dust. If you’re a county or municipal official who has anything to do with county or township road management, …
A Prison of Dust — the Impact of Unpaved County and Township Roads on Rural Communities
For rural towns in Alaska and Canada, unpaved roads present a tangible threat to the very community itself. Residents are, in some places, literally confined to their houses during particularly dry seasons. Fugitive dust from unpaved roads shuts down tourism, affecting the local economy. It causes damage to vehicles, therefore requiring more repairs, increasing the financial burden on families. And the …
Understanding Fugitive Dust Pollution – And Why Controlling It Is a Good Investment
Both PM10 and PM2.5 fugitive dust pollution create or aggravate serious health conditions, especially in vulnerable populations like kids and the elderly.
Fugitive Dust Particles May Affect the Impact of Coronavirus Around Unpaved Roads and Areas
Recent studies show that areas with higher pollution levels may be more vulnerable to coronavirus. This is especially relevant if you are responsible for maintaining any kind of unpaved road surface, from mining or industrial haul and access roads to township and county roads, to agricultural or energy farm roads.