The master’s thesis is structured into seven chapters. The first part focuses primarily on a theoretical overview of road transport infrastructure, presenting the categorization of roads and further elaborating on the role of motorways. To facilitate a clearer understanding of the research topic, the thesis provides an extensive discussion of road maintenance, distinguishing between regular (annual) and winter maintenance, with particular emphasis on the latter. Additionally, the equipment and materials required for winter road maintenance are defined and described.
The central part of the thesis concentrates on the technology of winter maintenance for motorways and expressways, as implemented by DARS, the sole operator and maintainer of motorways and expressways in the Republic of Slovenia. The equipment used by DARS for winter maintenance is presented in detail, with particular attention given to heavy-duty vehicles and their auxiliary systems, as these form the basis for proposals aimed at operational optimization and cost reduction within the company. The thesis concludes with proposed solutions and recommendations for improvements through the introduction of new interchangeable superstructure technologies for winter motorway maintenance at DARS d. d.
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