Experts advise on road safety

Need for disaster adaptation strategies

The damage caused by storms, especially storm No. 3, to road traffic infrastructure in recent times shows that transportation is one of the sectors greatly affected by weather and climate and is vulnerable to unpredictable climate change and natural disasters.

Storm No. 3 recently caused damage to National Highway 70 in Yen Bai province.

To reduce the negative impacts of natural disasters and ensure safety for road works, Dr. Duong Nhu Hung, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, said that it is necessary to assess natural disaster risks in each area to identify weak points of infrastructure, areas where landslides often occur, causing damage to road works, and propose appropriate solutions.

“High-risk areas need to apply higher design standards and use sustainable materials that can withstand environmental impacts, thereby minimizing the impact of natural disasters on road infrastructure,” Mr. Hung said.

Meanwhile, Master Vu Anh Tuan, Department of Transport Management Planning, affirmed that the direction to minimize the harmful impacts of climate change and unpredictable natural disasters lies in the national transport strategy. Developing effective adaptation strategies requires appropriate measures from policy, investment and scientific research.

The general principle is that regulations in planning, design and construction must adapt to increasingly extreme natural conditions. Therefore, standards, norms and regulations for road construction design must be increasingly strict and preventive in new construction investment and operation of works.

“Key projects such as expressways, national highways, and arterial roads must complete standards and regulations related to responding to and coping with natural disasters. As Vietnam’s economy grows, we have more opportunities to choose higher standards for transport infrastructure,” said Mr. Tuan.

Prioritize capital for disadvantaged areas

Prof. Dr. Bui Xuan Cay, senior lecturer, Department of Roads, Faculty of Construction, University of Transport, said that each level of construction is designed with a certain frequency of storms and floods. Grade I roads such as expressways are designed with a 1% flood frequency, equivalent to a 100-year flood frequency. Grade IV mountainous national highways are designed with a 4% flood frequency, equivalent to a 25-year flood. With super typhoon No. 3, no matter how well prepared for prevention, we will still have to bear a certain level of damage. This happens not only in Vietnam but also in developed countries.

To ensure smooth traffic, it is necessary to prioritize disaster prevention budgets for disadvantaged localities. Specific tasks must be done promptly, practically, and most effectively. To ensure effective prevention and recovery, it is necessary to shorten investment procedures for urgent projects. To shorten investment time, it is possible to allow designated contractors.

“In the difficult circumstances of storm No. 3, the functional agencies of the Ministry of Transport have taken early preparation solutions, promptly intervened, proposed plans, assigned tasks, continuously urged inspections, supervision, and directly went down to share the burden with localities to handle the consequences of storms and floods, contributing to minimizing damage. This is a valuable experience to minimize damage in the coming time,” Mr. Cay said and proposed: “To quickly and sustainably overcome the project, it is necessary to prioritize budget sources for disadvantaged localities, shorten investment procedures, and allow investors to appoint contractors.”

The transport sector is aiming to design green, sustainable projects, especially for projects in difficult mountainous terrain conditions. Deep excavation and embankment projects are being gradually replaced by viaducts, typically the North-South expressway project in the East is being implemented, many sections have been built viaducts, when floods can drain quickly, not located on hillsides so there are no landslides.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/chuyen-gia-hien-ke-giu-an-toan-cong-trinh-duong-bo-192241218084337229.htm