CSIR Science Scope - Volume 5, Issue 1, September 2010

A sound and effective built environment is critical for socio-economic development and economic growth in the country. Expanding and improving infrastructure such as roads, rail networks, bridges, ports, airports, buildings and other facilities is a national priority and must be achieved without forfeiting environmental sustainability. In addition, the effective operation of the infrastructure through proper management of these components is crucial for economic welfare.

Worldwide, the logistics sector suffered from the effects of the economic downturn the past year or two. This forced those involved to reconsider the entire way in which supply chains are designed and managed.

Roads contribute to regional cohesion by playing a prominent role in the geographic distribution of economic growth and wealth. Generally, zones with high job densities are located near major road arteries because of the businesses' need for easy access to suppliers, customers and employees.

The increase in internal logistics costs due to inadequate road conditions is experienced by most, if not all transportation companies. This figure can potentially add up to a massive increase in the logistics costs of a country. As the logistics costs increase, the costs of products in the global marketplace increase, placing an added burden on the consumer and having devastating effects on the global competitiveness of that country.

Due to the competitive nature of the fast-moving consumer industry, companies actively pursue continuous improvement opportunities. The drive towards environmental preservation makes it imperative for such improvement opportunities to be eco-friendly. In this context, the CSIR, Cardiff University and IMPERIAL Logistics undertook a case study to assess the causes and impact of extra kilometres on the supply chain.

Traditionally, the costs of using concrete instead of conventional material like asphalt in road construction are prohibitive. Concrete is, however, far more durable, rendering roads with an expected lifespan of up to 40 years compared to 25 years for conventional roads. With increasing oil and bitumen prices, concrete has also become a more competitive road building material.

CSIR research has shown that road wear and costs associated with heavy vehicles can be reduced, while increasing safety and productivity, and lowering vehicle emissions.

Roads and bridges usually compete for the same 'pot' of government funding in terms of maintenance. While road damage is more visible, bridge failures due to delays in repair may have catastrophic results when users are involved.

An SA-developed system that can effectively monitor the world's ageing railway infrastructure is drawing international attention. The system has demonstrated the ability to detect breaks in continuously-welded railway tracks and thereby avoid expensive and life-threatening derailments. But can it be made more cost-effective and applied internationally?

Overloading does not only cause considerable damage to South Africa's road network, but it also contributes to serious road safety risks. It is a safety hazard that leads to the rapid deterioration of roads, resulting in increased maintenance and transportation costs.

It is widely recognised that an efficient transport system forms the cornerstone of a successful modern economy; in South Africa, the bulk of this transport occurs by road. A group of CSIR researchers has pooled skills to start working on fundamental technology to develop an intelligent transport solution for South Africa, which takes cognisance of the unique mix of practical challenges that our country faces.

The words 'precision engineering' are not usually associated with 300 000 tonne bulk carriers, being loaded with iron ore along a 2 km-long off-shore wharf. Let alone with so-called 'long waves' which are not easy to detect on a sunny Australian afternoon.

Breakwater armour, such as dolosse, is essential for the protection of harbours, piers and other coastal infrastructures, absorbing the impact of violent waves. The performance of complex breakwater structures and their interaction with waves, tides, currents and storms have a direct impact on the durability and safety of coastal structures.

Constraints in rural environments include high transport costs and irregular service demand and supply. Displaced rural communities are those who are removed from services and facilities (and subsequently also employment).

Comprehensive, sustainable rural development is a challenge facing countries worldwide. Development programmes are aimed at creating a vibrant economic and social cohesion in rural areas, enabling people to take equitable control of their destiny.

Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele recently announced that the condition of 40% of the country's provincial road network has reached crisis proportions. South Africa's continued economic growth has seen large increases in volumes of heavy vehicles on the country's roads. Road design methodologies and pavement material technology have to keep pace with the increase in demand placed on the infrastructure.

In South Africa, the structural capacity of road pavements receives significant attention but little consideration is given to the road environment and associated structures. These include cuts (where earth is removed from a road over elevated or mountainous land to level the road) and fills (where earth is deposited to level a road in, for example, a valley). Cuts and fills are expensive structures with severe consequences in terms of mobility and access when failures occur and even the potential for loss of life and damage to property.

Good physical infrastructure at schools enhances access to education, while inadequate and poorly maintained infrastructure excludes learners. In the Butterworth education district in the Eastern Cape, some 400 schools are benefiting from clean sanitation facilities due to a pilot intervention by the CSIR.

Waste management is an important basic service provided by local municipalities. Recently, various initiatives aimed at improving waste service delivery have been formulated and implemented by the South African government.

In the June 2009 edition of ScienceScope (focusing on energy), an article by Dr Louis Waldeck outlined the CSIR's plan to aid small town municipal service delivery.