Title: Technical excellence as a first step towards the implementation of “Green Technology” in the roads sector
Abstract: “Green Technology” and the emphasis of this approach in the various infrastructure programs are receiving more and more prominence in the political arena as identified “new” directions for training and design at project level. It is unquestionable that the principles of “Green Technology” should receive strong support and require prioritisation in infrastructure project planning, design and implementation. However, there is a general lack of understanding and perception that the basis of and “Green Technology” is also closely linked to the basic approach often neglected in good solid engineering principles already incorporated in the South African Technical Recommendation for Highways (TRH & TMH) series of documents (and many other technical documents such as those produced, inter alia, by SABITA, SANRAL and the various road authorities) that have been produced in the field of transportation, and more specifically in the road sector in South Africa. All of these documents aim to optimise the use of available natural resources and therefore minimise costs (more specifically transportation costs). The general problem that has developed over the last few decades is that the professional use and implementation of these technical documents have received less emphasis due to mainly a lack of the stringent application and enforcement (that now has become a necessity) of South African laws governing the procurement, managing, design, construction and quality control of infrastructure projects by properly registered Professional Service Providers. The objectives outlined through the adoption of “Green Technology” are part and parcel of good engineering as done by Professionally Registered Individuals. Additional administrative procedures to introduce “check” list on various aspects such as the implementation of “Green technology” will achieve little with regard to the optimisation of resources if the fundamental problem, of the non-enforcement of the laws governing engineering services procurement, infrastructure management and implementation, is not addressed at the highest level.
Publication Year: 2015
Publication Date: 2015-08-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 1
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