Mine road maintenance management using haul truck response measurements

Abstract The maintenance management of unpaved mine road networks varies widely, from small low tonnage operations where ad hoc techniques are applied, to extensive networks of roads subject to large numbers of high axle loadings, where haul road maintenance management systems (MMS) have been successfully implemented. However, for complex road networks where material is sourced and hauled from a large and highly variable number of loading points, the MMS becomes onerous. Since most large mines operate ultra heavy mine trucks with on board diagnostic data collation, relaying data within a broader asset management and centralised communication and GPS backbone, it was recognised that road condition could be monitored on a realtime basis and the data integrated within the centralised truck management system. This paper summarises the results of a number of field trials undertaken to prove the concept of realtime road maintenance management, using truck derived multisensor data capture. The paper concludes that truck on board multisensor data integration with the existing mine communication and asset management systems can provide the basis for a realtime mine road MMS, with resultant improvement in service and reduction in total road user costs.