Construction sites offer different challenges when it comes to accessibility. This is due to the fact that there is a massive movement of men (labor) as well as transporters of materials. These range from pickup trucks to trailers. Depending on the items being moved, the weight is different and as such the path capacity to and from the site must match these requirements. There will also be visitors in light personal vehicles, especially consultants and potential property buyers in the case of commercial projects or potential tenants in the case of residential spaces or other rental spaces. Available or provided access should meet these requirements to the extent possible. The different conditions of the site include;
Virgin Sites – Refers to a new site where no other construction activity has taken place before. This means that there is no access to the specific construction point. When such a route may be available, it may not be sufficient and may need improvement. This may include jobs such as felling trees, cutting high sections and filling in low ones, pouring murram or other suitable material. It will also include compaction, wetting and curing of the poured material. Being a new and sometimes temporary route, it will need maintenance. When such access passes through other people’s property, the appropriate permissions must be requested. Local authorities should also be notified and provided with plans as ways to warn of problems such as ecological disturbances. In general, it is advisable that the construction path is also the permanent path to the permanent path to access the finished facility.
· Existing sites: these are sites that have already been built previously. They can have existing access. The only hurdle would be when other users are still using such access as it will create inconvenience and delivery usage could be regulated only for low peak periods. A need could also arise to provide alternative routes for existing users. A good example is road maintenance or improvement works, whereby detours are created and maintained in good condition during the construction period. Provisions must be made to minimize inconvenience and prevent accidents.
· Tight spots – These are unique spots in that they have minimal room for maneuverability. Here are examples in urban centers or institutions. The regulation here is very strict and as such strict measures must be put in place to comply with such regulations. These sites are very difficult to manage when it comes to accessibility. An example is the case where the concrete is delivered to the site already mixed (in premix trucks). This presents the headache of synchronization and avoids inconvenience to other users.
Providing access to sites should be a well thought out activity. Maintenance should be the top priority. The design of these access roads must also take into account the traffic foreseen for said project. Road markings and other similar furniture must also be provided and kept in good repair.