Road Maintenance
Driving and Safety Concerns on Washboard Roads
There have been some concerns raised from residents in the NSAD about road conditions and the increase of washboarding circumstances. Certain residents feel that to fix this problem:
Unfortunately, the above solutions are not only costly, but they do not solve any causes and are therefore ineffective at stopping the problem.
If you have ever driven on an unpaved or gravel road, you are familiar with the occurrence of wash boarding. Also referred to as “corrugation,” washboarding occurs when road surfaces made up of sand or gravel develop ripples which can become more severe over time.
This is a common issue on many gravel roads in the province of Saskatchewan. Even though it is common, washboarding can be more than just an annoyance for drivers. If it is severe enough, it can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
Why do washboard roads commonly happen on unpaved surfaces?
If we look at the causes and what circumstances lead to wash boarding, then understandably we can make adjustments and find suitable and safe solutions that would be more effective and less costly.
There are certain main factors that lead to these ripples in the road:
Another example that can increase or worsen wash board roads is high traffic volumes, but high traffic volumes still depend on vehicle speed, driving habits and road conditions.
Some people feel that the cause of wash boarding on roads is due to heavy trucks, but studies show that passenger vehicle speeds are more likely to cause wash boarding than heavy trucks.
Also, the distance between washboard ripples is partly a function of how fast people take them, as hammering the crests of these ripples with a vehicle reinforces these ripples.
It so happens that driving habits such as vehicle speed has contributed to wash boarding, and vehicles need to be moving at a certain speed for wash boarding to occur. Studies have shown that the faster the wheel was spinning, the faster the wash board appeared on the road, and so lowering vehicle speeds can reduce wash boarding significantly.
Let’s look at some tips for driving on a gravel road and wash boarding:
You can prevent washboard from forming on your gravel or dirt road by following these simple rules: Don’t drive too fast, accelerate smoothly and brake slowly!
Driving safely on gravel roads is a skill you can learn. If you only take one thing from this article, it is this… slow down! Slow down, look ahead and drive smoothly.
- Roads should be graded more often than they currently are.
- More gravel should be added to fill in the washboard ruts.
Unfortunately, the above solutions are not only costly, but they do not solve any causes and are therefore ineffective at stopping the problem.
If you have ever driven on an unpaved or gravel road, you are familiar with the occurrence of wash boarding. Also referred to as “corrugation,” washboarding occurs when road surfaces made up of sand or gravel develop ripples which can become more severe over time.
This is a common issue on many gravel roads in the province of Saskatchewan. Even though it is common, washboarding can be more than just an annoyance for drivers. If it is severe enough, it can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
Why do washboard roads commonly happen on unpaved surfaces?
If we look at the causes and what circumstances lead to wash boarding, then understandably we can make adjustments and find suitable and safe solutions that would be more effective and less costly.
There are certain main factors that lead to these ripples in the road:
- Vehicle speed
- Driving habits in places where drivers routinely accelerate rapidly or brake hard.
- Dry conditions causing the crust that forms on the surface of gravel roads to loosen and become more susceptible to reshaping by passing tires.
Another example that can increase or worsen wash board roads is high traffic volumes, but high traffic volumes still depend on vehicle speed, driving habits and road conditions.
Some people feel that the cause of wash boarding on roads is due to heavy trucks, but studies show that passenger vehicle speeds are more likely to cause wash boarding than heavy trucks.
Also, the distance between washboard ripples is partly a function of how fast people take them, as hammering the crests of these ripples with a vehicle reinforces these ripples.
It so happens that driving habits such as vehicle speed has contributed to wash boarding, and vehicles need to be moving at a certain speed for wash boarding to occur. Studies have shown that the faster the wheel was spinning, the faster the wash board appeared on the road, and so lowering vehicle speeds can reduce wash boarding significantly.
Let’s look at some tips for driving on a gravel road and wash boarding:
- Lower your speed as gravel surfaces can change rapidly, and even well-maintained gravel roads tend to have rough sections and loose gravel that require lower vehicle speeds.
- Accelerate and brake slowly and reduce your speed when approaching intersections, curves, and hills. If you need to adjust your speed, do so steadily. Do not make significant speed changes suddenly. This can also help you maintain control, avoid any serious situation, and help prevent rutting.
- Always drive at a speed that allows you to stop easily for any hazard. Just like with snow, gravel offers serious challenges, especially at higher speeds.
- Be considerate as well! As you approach other vehicles, slow down and move over to the side so you can pass each other safely.
- If you encounter one of these wash board roads, you must first slow down. You can’t always stop quickly on a washboard road, especially in a large vehicle or while towing a trailer. Slowing down will help you to maintain control of your car, reduce the chances of an accident or damage to your vehicle and will protect road surfaces.
- If you struggle to maintain control of your vehicle, or it is an overly rough ride going over a wash board, then you are driving too fast. By slowing down, you will make cornering safer, and your braking distances will be reduced. Slowing down may extend your drive time, but it helps you prevent an accident or damage to your vehicle.
- Your vehicle will manage differently when it moves from one surface to another such as pavement to gravel. The gravel may be loose, or it may be hard-packed. Additionally, your stopping distance will drastically increase compared to when driving on paved surfaces. By slowing down, you increase your ability to control how your vehicle reacts to changing surfaces.
You can prevent washboard from forming on your gravel or dirt road by following these simple rules: Don’t drive too fast, accelerate smoothly and brake slowly!
Driving safely on gravel roads is a skill you can learn. If you only take one thing from this article, it is this… slow down! Slow down, look ahead and drive smoothly.