Technical information

DRV Final Evaluation Report

Introduction

The field operational testing and evaluation phase of the Debris Removal Vehicle (DRV)

project has produced valuable feedback regarding the interface of the operator with the

machine and the machine with the environment. Equally important is the infrastructure

in place and its role in the removal of roadside debris. The information gathered should

facilitate the formulation of efficient solutions to the remaining problems.

This report addresses the interface of the machine with the operators and the roadway for

the purpose of retrieving debris. It includes observations of mechanical, control, and

ergonomic engineering issues. Observations and feedback were gathered on location by

the Advanced Highway Maintenance and Construction Technology Research Center

(AHMCT) during the field operational testing and evaluation phase.

Background

Debris is usually retrieved in a two step process. A crew is initially deployed to gather

the debris. Loose debris is placed in bags and stacked on the roadside along with

trimmed vegetation, tumbleweed and other larger debris such as lumber, tires and

mufflers. The next step is to remove the gathered debris from the roadside. Previous

methods relied on a crew to drive down the road, exit the vehicle, and manually throw the

debris into a truck. They then either walk down the roadway to the next pile or drive

further down the road. The DRV was developed to provide a safer solution to the

removal of the debris.

The current Debris Removal Vehicle (DRV) was originally manufactured by Pic-All Inc.

After being in the field for several years with little operational time, the Caltrans

Equipment Service Center and the Advanced Highway Maintenance and Construction

Technology Research Center (AHMCT) decided to pull the machine out of the field and

entered into a cooperative effort to repair the DRV. The machine was taken to the

AHMCT Research Center, in February of 1999, where it was tested and analyzed and

later taken to the Caltrans Equipment Service Center. The project scope was defined

collectively by the AHMCT Research Center and Caltrans at a meeting attended by

persons listed in attachment (refer to attachment B).

Project Scope

• Evaluate the existing mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic control structure.

• Devise a plan of action to repair the existing machine with the goal of re-

deployment for the purposes of field operational testing and evaluation.

Even though a majority of all parties involved agreed that a complete redesign and

rebuild would have been ideal, it was determined that a limited rebuild was the most

timely solution to implement in order to evaluate the interface of a machine with an

actual roadway for the purpose of retrieving debris. The following plan of action was

devised.