6Preventative maintenance#

6.1Electrical#

Electrical tests are to be carried out and documented in accordance with the Wiring Rules and AS/NZS 3019: Electrical Installations – Periodic Verification, and in accordance with TRUM Volume 4, Part 6: Periodic Verification Guide for Traffic Signals, Road Lights, and ITS Equipment Installations.

Periodic inspections and tests are required on the electrical installation to ensure compliance with The Act. Full inspections and tests are to be carried out at a maximum of five yearly intervals. Where the risk of degradation of the installation due to environmental or other factors is considered high, more frequent inspections are to be carried out. Spot check audits on parts of high risk installations are to be carried out at a maximum of 12 month intervals. Typical high risk factors may include: corrosive environments, susceptibility to flood/submergence, devices nearing end of life, vermin habitats and high pedestrian activity.

Immediate electrical risks (including exposed live conductors, unearthed equipment and incorrect polarity) must be made safe and rectified when discovered and the ESO and Region/District Management notified.

6.1.1Point of supply maintenance#

The ITS equipment is supplied from the electricity entity’s network. Supply can typically be from:

overhead pole mounted transformer with fuse
underground pit with fuse
pillar/post box with fuse from an underground supply.

Verification is to include a visual inspection of the point of supply for signs of degradation. Where there is any concern about the integrity of the point of supply or the upstream network, the electricity entity is to be advised.

Work is not to be carried out on electricity entity infrastructure without the express written permission of the electricity entity.

6.1.2Electrical switchboard maintenance#

Maintenance is to be carried out to ensure the electrical integrity of the switchboard. As the switchboard is the point where the ITS equipment is connected to the supply, it is important that all the components are in good condition.

Inspection is to include but not be limited to:

ingress of water and vermin
deterioration of weatherproof seals and other components damage by vermin
detection of poor connections and joints
correct earthing
protection against direct and indirect contact with LV terminals/surfaces
correct internal labelling of components
correct labelling of field cables.

6.1.3Cable and connection maintenance#

Electrical cabling and connections are to be maintained to ensure a low impedance path for the electricity supply. While the cable is expected to last in excess of 25 years under standard operating conditions, a number of factors (such as those mentioned above) can reduce service life. Consequently, visual observations and electrical tests are required regularly.

Where cable temperatures are significantly raised due to poor electrical connections, insulation damage can occur, which may ultimately result in fire. Clean cable termination surfaces, correct fixing tightness and the application of protecting grease to terminations can assist in maintaining the integrity of the termination. Thermal imaging equipment can be used where practical and cost effective to aid early detection of high resistance joints.

Transport and Main Roads Specifications now specify the use of either XLPE/PVC or XLPE/HDPE mains cabling for new installations. PVC/PVC cabling is not designed to be submersed in water for periods of time. The new standard cables are more resilient. Where there is a known water retention problem, the better quality XLPE/HDPE cable should be used to replace PVC/PVC cables that have reached end of life.

Rodent and vermin attack as well as poor installation methods can also affect the integrity of the cable sheath. Where damage has occurred, moisture ingress and cable degradation will occur.

Where the rate of insulation resistance degradation reasonably suggests that the cable insulation will not comply at the next regular inspection interval, inspection frequency is to be increased or rectification undertaken.

Inspection items are to include but not be limited to:

joints, connections and terminations for corrosion
poor, loose, overheated or unsecured connections
evidence of moisture ingress to cables and/ or connections
damaged insulation
exposed conductors
general condition of cable
evidence of rodent/vermin activity
devices that are not fixed wired are to be tested and tagged
carbon, soot build-up.

In accordance with the Wiring Rules, electrical tests are to be carried out on cables and results documented.

6.1.4Pits and conduit maintenance#

Pits and conduits are to be inspected visually. Once it has been determined that the conduit installation complies with the required depth, this need no longer be checked except where work to the ground surface has been carried out in the vicinity of the conduit.

Pit lids are to be intact, undamaged and properly fitted to the pit. Pits are to be free of damage, with no collapse of ground around the pit, no collapse of the inside of the pit, and with the pit top level with the surrounding surface. Pits are to be free draining.

Maintenance of pits and conduits is to include but not be limited to:

ensuring adequate drainage
replacement of broken or chipped pit lids
rectifying collapsed pit side walls and other damage
maintaining ground/pit surface level and pit surrounds.

Cement pits and ducts that contain, or are suspected to contain, asbestos materials are to be handled using safe work practices and qualified persons in accordance with workplace health and safety legislation and Transport and Main Roads procedures. All asbestos materials are to be identified and recorded in Region/District registers.

6.2ITS equipment#

ITS maintenance activities are quite varied and really depends on the type of device and associated manufacturer recommendations as to the most appropriate maintenance activities to be conducted or whether reactive, or preventative scheduled maintenance is required.

Regular inspections and servicing are required on the ITS installation to ensure it is operating safely and efficiently as designed.

Routine ITS maintenance is to include, but not be limited to:

checking equipment for correct alignment and rectifying as required
checking equipment for damage, blown lamps, LEDs, damaged lenses and rectifying as required
checking all ITS equipment are functioning correctly, and replacing as necessary
ensuring site identifier is clearly legible and clean or replace as required
clearing fault and error log in equipment cabinets after the above work is complete
check operation of STREAMS connection.

Due to the vast array of ITS equipment types, models, variations, etc., it is not possible to define a standard testing regime to cover all ITS equipment. All testing on ITS equipment shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and in accordance with associated legislation and standards.

6.2.1Help phone maintenance#

The following operations shall be included as part of this activity:

physically inspect phones for damage
clean and inspect telephone signage
remedy any damage to original installation condition
test phone is operational by calling the Traffic Management Centre
confirm phone can callout and ringer works; and
ensure phone hang up mechanism is working correctly.

The telephone installation shall be tested in accordance with the applicable requirements of MRTS201.

6.2.2Inductive loops maintenance#

The following operations shall be included as part of this activity:

loop feeder labelling
confirm loop feeder termination cable tension; and
check LEDs are working with triggers.

If any damage sustained to departmental inductive loops is identified as a consequence of activities by third parties (i.e. road profiling, kerb alteration works), all reasonable steps shall be taken to assist the department with the identification of the contractor(s) involved. The principal will contact the project which caused damage to the loops where possible to arrange for them to repair the loops as required.

Testing requirements:

1.onsite testing verifying confirmation of functionality of loop inductance and continuity
2.verification of detector operation in consultation with the Principal within STREAMS
3.the inductive loop installation shall be tested in accordance with the applicable requirements of MRTS204, MRTS257 and MRTS201.

6.2.3Vehicle detector site maintenance#

The maintenance of vehicle detector site shall include the maintenance of the following assets:

vehicle detection sites
ramp metering sites
bluetooth sites
piezo classification equipment
vehicle detection’s hardware and software
power supply (ELV) and cables
power supply (LV) and cables
communication cables, and
sub mains (pillar / post / cabinet).

Testing Requirements

1.onsite testing verifying confirmation of functionality of vehicle detection site and on STREAMS
2.the vehicle detector installation shall be tested in accordance with the applicable clauses of MRTS204, MRTS257 and MRTS201.

6.2.4Imaging equipment maintenance#

The maintenance and the configuration cover the following departmental assets:

Camera including PTZ and Video Connections:

web cameras
power supply (ELV) and cables
power supply (LV) and cables
communication cables (serial / ethernet)
sub-mains (pillar / post / cabinet), and
video encoders.

The following operations shall be included as part of this activity:

clean camera and lens
inspect camera mounting bracket for leakage, tension and corrosion including fall arrest
check cable tension
check camera operation in DVTEL
replacement of any parts as required, and
liaise with the Traffic Management Centre to ensure the camera is operational as per requirements.

Testing Requirements

1.onsite testing verifying confirmation of functionality of image equipment
2.the Imaging equipment installation shall be tested in accordance with Clause 10 of MRTS225.

6.2.5Dynamic message signs maintenance#

The maintenance of the departments dynamic message signs covers the following assets:

Changeable Message Signs (CMS)
Variable Message Signs (VMS)
Variable Speed Limit Signs (VSLS)
Lane Use Management Signs (LUMS)
Bus Message Signs (BMS)
Vehicle Activated Signs VAS)
power supply (ELV) and cables
power supply (LV) and cables
communication cables, and
sub mains (pillar / post / cabinet).

The following operations shall be included as part of this activity:

check for failed pixels (dead pixels and permanently-on pixels)
run maintenance software, carry our all checks and verify results visually on the sign display e.g. LED intensities
check sign operation and associated equipment
clean viewing window
check and clean micro-filters
check access ladder lock
check prism stop alignment and adjust if required (CMS only), and
replacement of any parts as required.

Testing Requirements

1.onsite testing verifying confirmation of functionality of dynamic message signs and on STREAMS
2.the dynamic message sign installation shall be tested in accordance with the applicable element of MRTS201.

6.2.6Automatic number plate recognition system maintenance#

The maintenance of the departments automatic number plate recognition system shall cover the following assets:

side mounted pole supports
camera units and mounting brackets
processor
wiring and cabling
conduit network, and
field cabinets.

The following operations shall be included as part of this activity:

cleaning of all lenses and housings and confirming all devices are properly secured, and
run test modules to determine whether data is received within acceptable error levels
replacement of any parts as required.

Testing Requirements

The Automatic Number Plate Recognition installation shall be tested in accordance with the applicable element of MRTS201.

6.2.7Weather station maintenance#

The maintenance of weather stations in accordance with the published maintenance manuals includes the following activities: weather Stations station's hardware and software power supply (ELV) and cables power supply (LV) and cables communication cables (serial / ethernet), and sub mains (pillar / post / cabinet).

The following operations shall be included as part of this activity: check wind speed and direction sensors turn freely check rain gauge unit is free from obstruction and bucket tips freely check flash rate of "system running" light arrange recalibrate by specialised technicians, if require, and replacement of any parts as required.

Testing Requirements onsite testing verifying confirmation of functionality of weather station and on STREAMS the weather station installation shall be tested in accordance with the applicable element of MRTS201.

6.2.8Communication network maintenance#

The maintenance of the departments communication network shall include the maintenance of the following assets: power supply (ELV) and cables power supply (LV) and cables communication copper and optical fibre network cables including FOBOTS point to point microwave link sub mains (pillar / post / cabinet) layer-2 network switches (with default network configuration by the department) Traffic signal controller cables surge protection layer-3 network switches (with default network configuration by the department) upon request field processors (with default network configuration by the department) Telstra network termination units (NTU), and ramp metering PLC's.

The following operations shall be included as part of this activity: clean and check that all Field Processor connectors are seated and clean check patch cable connections and cable tray and replace if damaged, and check the operational of communication network by visually inspecting switches and other communications equipment, and replacement of any parts as required.

Testing Requirements onsite testing verifying confirmation of functionality of communication network site and on STREAMS the communication network installation shall be tested in accordance with the applicable element of MRTS201.

6.2.9Routine ITS Cabinet Inspections#

One fifth of the District ITS Cabinets shall be inspected each year. The five year plan on the maintenance of all ITS Cabinets within the District shall be submitted to the District manager by the 1st of July of the first financial year.

The routine servicing of the following equipment is included in this activity: CCTV sites vehicle detector sites weather Station sites generators UPS power supply (ELV) and cables power supply (LV) and cables communication cables sub mains (pillar / cabinet) DMS sites, and communications network cabinets.

Testing Requirements As specified in Operational Inspection on ITS Cabinets template supplied in Appendix C.

6.2.10Pump station maintenance#

The maintenance of the departments pump stations shall be performed in accordance with the published maintenance manuals and shall cover the following assets: electrical switchboard and cables equipment hardware and software water pumps diesel generator emergency lighting compound lighting communication cables (Serial), and structure of pump station.

6.3Structural#

Periodic visual inspections are to be undertaken to ensure at least the following items are examined for compliance with the relevant standards: steel posts other equipment supports (for example, secured to structures).

Inspections are to be carried out ten years after original installation and then every five years thereafter. Environmental conditions to which the ITS installation is subject may require the frequency of inspections to be increased - for example, bridges/overpasses, corrosive environment and areas prone to flooding.

Structural inspections are to be completed in accordance with Structures Branch requirements.

6.3.1Steel post maintenance#

Where steel posts are damaged, degraded, or corroded, they are to be replaced.

6.3.2Gantries maintenance#

Maintenance of large supporting structures like gantries is covered under Element 39 and under the responsibilities of Structures Branch.

6.4Environmental#

The maximum interval between inspections is 12 months. Where particularly detrimental environmental conditions require – for example, corrosive environment and areas prone to flooding – more frequent inspections are to be carried out.

6.4.1Vegetation management#

The growth of vegetation near ITS equipment has the potential to significantly reduce the effectiveness of the ITS installations. Where vegetation or other obstructions have, or may have an impact on ITS performance, they are to be removed or otherwise treated to remove the deficiency/risk. Vegetation may increase the likelihood of vermin and/or hinder access to switchgear and electrical pits and is to be managed accordingly. Concrete surrounds should be installed around equipment, particularly switchboards.

6.4.2Vermin#

Evidence of vermin infestation is to be removed, and damage caused by vermin is to be rectified. The installation is to be treated/modified to prevent/minimise the likelihood of reinfestation.

6.4.3Maintenance access#

Where necessary, access to sites is to be remedied to allow safe, all-weather access by maintenance personnel.

6.4.4General tidy up#

Each site is to be cleaned of all waste/rubbish so as to present a clean, tidy area that reflects well on Transport and Main Roads.

6.4.5Cleaning and painting#

The ITS equipment and associated hardware are to be cleaned and posters and graffiti removed. Where paintwork is damaged or has deteriorated, it is to be repainted.