Impact of the CSIR heavy vehicle simulator (HVS) on the performance of the SA road network

Abstract

The CSIR plays a leading role in the development, application and transfer of processes and technologies for the design, construction, maintainance and management of transport infrastructure in Southern Africa. The heavy vehicle simulator (HVS), developed by the CSIR, is an accelerated pavement testing facility that simulates the traffic associated deterioration of a road over its design life (usually 20 years) in as little as three months. The research conducted with the CSIR-designed HVS machine results in significant savings in road building and rehabilitation costs. Some of the most significant developments in the South African pavement design engineering field resulting from HVS related research are discussed in the poster.