OPINION: Getting the best bang for taxpayers’ money

Through the medium of your publication, I would like to introduce all those responsible for the maintenance of our roads to the wonders of artificial intelligence (AI).

At no cost I asked ChatGPT for recommendations on this important subject.

The crux of its impeccably referenced, including our own CSIR, reply was:

Water destroys black-topped roads, therefore annual inspections are required to identify fine cracks, depressions, drainage problems, edge failures, and isolated settlements.

In terms of routine maintenance – seal cracks immediately, remove vegetation, clear side drains, clean culverts, restore road shoulders, prevent ponding.

For surface preservation, every few years fog seals, slurry seals, micro-surfacing, chip seals, thin asphalt overlays.

When it comes to cost comparisons… repairing a crack today may cost one unit, repairing the resulting pothole may cost six to 10 units, reconstructing the failed pavement may cost 20 to 40 units.

These recommendations clearly support the notion that that relatively cheap preventative maintenance is highly cost-effective and not doing it represents serious failure, if not negligence, of authorities to deliver effective services at the best cost.

Anyone with access to the internet can access these recommendations via AI.

OLLIVER RANSOME
Margate

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