Calculation of condition indices for road structures using a deduct points method

The DER-rating method has been adopted as the national standard for the rating of road structures. This method is defects-based and involves the rating of defects on the various inspections items of road structures in terms of degree (D), extent (E) and relevancy (R) rating. The DER-rating method has been included in the Draft TMH19 Manual for the Visual Assessment of Road Structures. The D, E, and R ratings are used to calculate condition indices for road structures. The method used is a deduct-points approach, similar to what is recommended in the Draft TMH22 Road Asset Management Systems Manual for calculating different condition and need indices for road pavements. This paper describes the procedure to arrive at a Priority Condition Index (PCI) that identifies those structures with critical defects that should receive urgent attention, using the D, E and R ratings allocated to defects during the visual assessment of the structure. For road structures, defects are identified per inspection sub-item and the worst defect on a sub-item is rated, which then becomes the rating for that inspection sub-item. The sub-item DER ratings are used as input to calculate deduct points for the sub-item. These sub-item deduct points are then used as input to calculate a PCI for the sub-item. The worst sub-item PCI value determines the condition index for an inspection item. Finally, the condition indices of the inspection items are used to calculate the PCI for the whole structure. The PCI value ranges from 0 (worst condition) to 100 (best condition). The structure?s PCI determines what condition category the structure falls in. Five condition categories, namely ?Critical?; ?Poor?, ?Fair?, ?Good?; or ?Very Good?, are used.Paper presented at the 35th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 4-7 July 2016 "Transport ? a catalyst for socio-economic growth and development opportunities to improve quality of life", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.The Minister of Transport, South AfricaTransportation Research Board of the US

Development of a vehicle load control strategy for Malawi for the period 2016 to 2020

In an effort to improve the effectiveness of overload control the Malawi Directorate of Road Transport and Safety Services (DRTSS) appointed two Short Term Experts from the CSIR to assist with the updating of the DRTSS?s 2005 Axle Load Control Strategy and development of a five-year implementation plan for significantly improving the Directorate?s current capacity to effectively manage and enforce axle load control. Specific objectives were to: ? Assist the DRTSS to undertake an extensive nationwide survey to assess the extent of the overloading problem on the paved road network; ? Review and update the 2005 ?Vehicle Weights and Axle Load Control Strategy?, based on the outcome of this survey; ? Produce a Five-year Implementation (Business) Plan that will provide a ?roadmap? for the expansion of the current overload control system; ? Strengthen the overall management and monitoring of axle load control operations through the introduction of adequate monitoring and reporting; and ? Ensure that the underlying legislation adequately supports axle load control operations. The output of the project was a Vehicle Load Control (VLC) Strategy for Malawi for the period 2016 to 2020. The VLC strategy presents the strategic direction that the DRTSS will take for the next five years with regards its vehicle load control mandate. The VLC Strategy will form the basis for the planning and execution of vehicle load control infrastructure and operations. This paper covers the process followed in developing the strategy; the situational analysis undertaken prior to the development of the strategy; and the steps followed in the development of the strategy. The paper then presents the strategic outcomes, outcome targets and outputs that have to be implemented and achieved in terms of this strategy.Paper presented at the 35th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 4-7 July 2016 "Transport ? a catalyst for socio-economic growth and development opportunities to improve quality of life", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.The Minister of Transport, South AfricaTransportation Research Board of the US

Ubuntu and values underlying the Vatsonga culture : implications for developmental social work with children

The article is based on a doctoral study submitted at the University of Pretoria.The development of the social work profession in Western countries is criticised as being irrelevant to the African context. Although developmental social work was introduced in South Africa to align the profession with African contexts and adopted in some southern African countries, the acknowledgement of African indigenous knowledge systems remains a neglected area. In this article, we present the findings of the study that explored the use of Vatsonga indigenous knowledge in child protection. By using a qualitative study as the basis, the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with 40 Vatsonga elders who were keepers of their indigenous knowledge. The research findings indicate that beliefs and practices based on the African principles underlying ubuntu have a strong focus on enhancing the well-being of children, including orphans and vulnerable children, and could relate to the central goal and the concepts underlying developmental social work. We conclude that there is a strong association between the principles of ubuntu and developmental social work interventions that focus on the well-being of children.A Postgraduate Research Support Scholarship of the University of Pretoria.https://unisapressjournals.co.za/index.php/SWPR/indexam2023Social Work and Criminolog

Exposure to substance use in the social environment : the experiences of adolescents in the Tshwane Metropole

The premise of this study is that if exposure to substance use in the social environment of adolescents is understood, macro interventions could be recommended to promote adolescents’ right to live in a safe and sustainable environment. The aim of the study was to explore adolescents’ experiences of exposure to substance use in their social environment, other than the home. A qualitative research approach was adopted and 40 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Adolescent participants, of both genders between 11 and 18 years, were recruited across the Tshwane Metropole. The Social Learning Theory underpinned this study as it offers concepts and principles for understanding how social environmental factors impact on adolescents’ behaviour. Key findings indicated that exposure to substance use is highly prevalent amongst adolescents in the Tshwane Metropole and could be normalised in their social reality. Recommendations are offered for appropriate macro interventions in line with a developmental approach.http://www.uj.ac.za/EN/Faculties/humanities/departments/socialwork/TheSocialWorkPractionerResearcherJournal/Pages/home.aspxam2016Social Work and Criminolog

Proposed method to calculate asset values for road structures

The Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), requires national and provincial government departments to “prepare financial statements for each financial year in accordance with generally recognised accounting practice”. The Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) includes similar requirements for municipalities. The “generally recognised accounting practice” for national and provincial government departments is the Modified Cash Standard, being the reporting framework prescribed by the National Treasury, Office of the Accountant General (OAG). Municipalities have to comply with the Standards of Generally Recognised Accounting Practice 17 (GRAP 17). Both these accounting standards require that an immovable asset, which qualifies for recording as a capital asset such as road structures (bridges, major culverts, etc.), must be measured at its cost. Where the cost of an immovable asset cannot be determined accurately, the immovable asset should be measured at fair value. In the case of specialised buildings and other man-made structures, an entity need to estimate fair value using a depreciated replacement cost approach. Replacement cost is the value of an asset that replicates the existing asset most efficiently, while providing the same level of service. This paper describes a proposed method to calculate the depreciated replacement cost for road structures, such as bridges and major culverts. The replacement cost of a structure is the cost to replace the structure with a similar structure at current rates. It is based on a unit rate for the replacement cost. The depreciated replacement cost is the optimised replacement cost after deducting an allowance for wear or consumption to reflect the remaining or economic service life of the structure. This is achieved by multiplying the replacement cost of the structure with an average condition index. The average condition index is calculated using the degree and extent ratings from the DER-ratings for the structural elements of the structure. The DER-ratings are the degree, extent and relevancy ratings of defects on the structure, using the defects based rating system described in the draft TMH19 Manual for the Visual Assessment of Road StructuresPapers Presented at the 2018 37th Southern African Transport Conference 9-12 July 2018 Pretoria, South Africa. Theme "Towards a desired transport future: safe, sufficient and affordable"

Safety and risk assessment tools for the South African child protection services : theory and practice

This article provides a discussion of the theoretical basis underpinning safety and risk assessment in child protection, and further describes the empirical research process involved in the development of safety and risk assessment tools and training materials for social workers in the South African child protection field. The research process is described according to the steps of intervention research. The study confirms a need for uniform safety and risk assessment tools and procedures in social work practice and highlights the critical role of collaboration between researchers and practitioners to enhance social service delivery in the protection of children at risk.http://www.crimsa.ac.za/acta.htmlam2018Social Work and Criminolog

A developmental social work perspective on problematic Internet use among university students

Problematic internet use (PIU) is a growing phenomenon worldwide. Students in higher education especially are a vulnerable group for developing symptoms associated with PIU as a result of the idiosyncratic characteristics of student life. Owing to a lacuna in local social work research on the nature, extent and impact of internet use among students in South Africa, a crosssectional survey was conducted with 498 (n = 498) second-year undergraduate students at a South African university. The results indicate that students access the internet on university campuses and at home daily through their cell phones and laptops for academic and social purposes. Although the average number of hours spent on the internet per day does not indicate PIU, the findings flag certain symptoms associated with PIU, for example, tolerance, escape from problems, and loss of control. Social workers should not be complacent, but rather introduce services to lower students’ risk of PIU. Considering the country’s adoption of social development as welfare model, developmental social work services on the preventive, early intervention and treatment levels as well as policy development are recommended.https://upjournals.co.za/index.php/SWPR/index2020-12-01pm2020Social Work and Criminolog

Prevalence of radiographic changes in forelimb digits and metacarpophalangeal joints of South African endurance racehorses

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MSc in the Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria. (http://hdl.handle.net/2263/76858)If the number of events alone is considered, endurance riding is the fastest growing and the second-most popular Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) discipline. Lameness is the most common cause of elimination from endurance races worldwide. To the authors’ knowledge, no studies have been published investigating the prevalence of radiographic changes in the forelimb digits and metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP) of endurance racehorses in South Africa. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of radiographic changes in the forelimb digits and MCP joints of South African endurance racehorses. One hundred endurance racehorses registered with ERASA were volunteered by their owners to partake in the current study. Radiographs were obtained from horses competing in endurance races during the 2018–2019 endurance racing season. Radiographs included seven standard views of each distal forelimb. Radiographic images were independently evaluated by three observers, point prevalence and inter-rater reliability (IRR) was calculated. Data analysis of the forelimb digits revealed a large proportion of horses with bilateral signs of dorsopalmar hoof imbalance (95%); a diversion from a straight digital axis (91%), with an extended (broken back) proximal interphalangeal joint (67%) being the most common abnormality. Osteoarthritis of the proximal (16%) and distal (7%) interphalangeal joints was only observed in a low percentage of horses. Interestingly, the hoof-distal-phalanx-ratio of the majority (86%) of horses was more than 25% but none of these horses showed any other signs of chronic laminitis, indicating that hoof-distal-phalanx-ratio might not be a reliable indicator of chronic laminitis in this population of horses. Ossification of the ungular cartilages was observed in the majority (69%) of horses, either affecting one or both distal phalanges. Descriptive data analysis of the MCP joints showed that a large proportion of horses displayed radiological signs of MCP joint osteoarthritis (28%), with 10% being bilateral. The current study provides insight into radiographic changes and their prevalence in the distal front limbs of South African endurance racehorses. Knowledge about the prevalence of specific radiographic changes would enable equine practitioners to better evaluate and manage horses that are affected. Although no correlations were made with age, speed or number of competitive kilometres competed, the current study may serve as a basis for future research.http://www.jsava.co.zaam2023Companion Animal Clinical Studie

Technology solutions for strategic bridge inspections in South Africa

Papers presented virtually at the 41st International Southern African Transport Conference on 10-13 July 2023.Principal bridge inspections for strategic bridges require an Under-bridge Inspection Unit (UBIU). Strategic bridges have restricted access due to the height and size of the structures or when the structure is located over a perennial river. The cost associated with strategic bridge inspections can be substantial depending on the size of the structure and duration of inspection. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been investigating the application of new technologies such as Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAVs) to capture image data and photogrammetry software to process images and creating point cloud models, to enhance the current bridge inspection methodology in accordance with Technical Methods for Highways (TMH) 19. Research to date indicates that bridge inspections can be performed off-site using only point cloud models and captured images, to identify defects and complete inspection forms as an alternative bridge inspection methodology. This paper investigates the practicality of replacing the use of an UBIU for strategic bridges and alternatively capture image data with an UAV and performing inspections using the new proposed inspection methodology. The paper also includes the comparison of the cost and time components of the new inspection methodology versus traditional TMH19 visual inspections. This study aims to reduce the cost of bridge inspections and to improve the safety of bridge inspectors

Research on the Vatsonga people of Southern Africa : a reflection on a case study

For decades, African researchers relied on Eurocentric concepts, models, philosophies, ethics, designs, and methods ingrained in the European research literature. The indiscriminate use of Eurocentric concepts to conceive African research is not sustainable given the uniqueness of African cultures. This situation gives impetus to the call for the development of a way of conducting research that is more suited to indigenous African contexts. The paper contains a reflection on the researchers’ past research experiences within African socio-cultural contexts. We aim to share our experiences on a research study that we conducted in Zimbabwe with the Vatsonga of Southern Africa; one of the ethnic groups that adopt an Afrocentric worldview. We discuss how we implemented theoretical perspectives, research methods, and research ethical considerations. We found that we had to adapt the implementation of our research to be aligned with the norms and practices of the Vatsonga. Research ethical considerations are highlighted as an important step towards fostering indigenised research on the continent. In addition, we propose the dissemination of research findings to include indigenous communities where the research has been conducted. This should be done through community meetings or workshops as the African people follow an oral-based tradition of knowledge transmission. The paper concludes by highlighting the need for African literature to guide researchers in conducting research studies in indigenous African communities.University of Pretoria Post Graduate Office bursaryhttps://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajswam2023Social Work and Criminolog