Dedicated wind power transport vehicles are large-scale special transport equipment, mainly used to transport large-sized wind turbine components such as blades, towers, and nacelles. These vehicles are long and have heavy loads, placing special demands on road infrastructure conditions. Before commencing transport operations, relevant personnel need to conduct on-site surveys of the proposed route and comprehensively assess various road indicators.
I. Road Width and Subgrade Bearing Capacity: The effective road width needs to accommodate the lateral outward movement of the vehicle and the transported components. Roads within mountainous wind farms and rural branch roads are prone to being too narrow. The subgrade and pavement structure should be able to withstand the combined load of the vehicle and cargo. It is necessary to check for large-area damage, collapses, and soft subgrade issues. If the bearing capacity of some sections is insufficient, temporary reinforcement can be considered to reduce the risk of traffic congestion.
II. Alignment Conditions, Including Gradient and Turning Radius: The longitudinal slope of the route should not be too steep. Long stretches of steep slopes increase the difficulty of vehicle control. Curves are a key area for inspection. Due to the influence of ultra-long blades, sufficient turning radii must be reserved. Sharp curves require road widening to meet the turning envelope space requirements of vehicles. For mountain roads and sections with continuous hairpin bends, the traffic trajectory needs to be simulated in advance to determine if passage conditions are suitable.
III. Space Clearance and Lateral Obstacles Bridges, tunnels, culverts, cross-road pipelines, signs, and other facilities along the route will restrict vertical clearance. At the same time, attention must be paid to lateral obstacles such as trees, slopes, and buildings on both sides of the road to avoid scratching wind turbine components during transportation. For locations with insufficient clearance, the feasibility of temporary clearing or adjusting the transportation plan should be assessed in advance.
IV. Bridges, Culverts, and Supporting Facilities Along the Route All bridges and culverts along the route need to have their load-bearing capacity verified, and weight limits checked. If necessary, a professional agency can be commissioned to conduct a load-bearing capacity assessment. In addition, passing areas and temporary stopping sites along the route should be inspected, and the visibility and drainage conditions at intersections should be checked. During the rainy season, slope stability also needs to be monitored to prevent the impact of rockfalls and landslides.
In general, the passage of dedicated wind power transport vehicles cannot be judged solely based on conventional highway standards. A comprehensive route survey before transportation is crucial. Considering multiple dimensions of road conditions, including road surface, alignment, clearance, and bridges/culverts, to select a suitable route plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of heavy-duty transport.
