PYTHON 5000 POTHOLE

pATCHERPUBLIC WORKS PROPOSAL

Background

The Python PotholePatcher is a new

approach to road

repairs .

It is a single operator

unit that is equippedT s

with everythingneeded to properlyrepair potholes with

either hot or cold

mix .

Background

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Background

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Public works officials from the City of Timmins visitedthe City of Thunder Bay in August of 2019 in order to

see first hand how the Python works , and how in can

be used in a northern municipal setting .

Haw Does it Warks'

The 4 . 5 tonne

capacity hopper is

filled with hot or

cold mix .

itw D Work?

The operator

cleans the

pothole of

dirt , debris , ti

and water

with a blastvm-

of air

How Does it Work?

The unit is

equipped with tack

coat sprayer if

requiredWN

The conveyor

carries the material

to the hole

The operator

distributes the

required asphalt

How Does it Work?

The unit has the ability to level and roll

simultaneously.

How Does it Work?

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Roller

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Benefits (Worker Safety)

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Highly Visible UnitIn cab controls , with no

exposure to live lanes

Benefits

Worker Safety:With the operator in the cab at all times it eliminates theexposure of workers in live lanes of traffic. With fewer workers

on a crew we also reduce the exposure of more workers to livetraffic.

Manpower reduction :

In 2018 public works spent 13779 man hours on road waypatching compared to 8024 man hours in 2013 which isalmost a 30% increase in man hours. (This includes bothpotholes and larger patches)

The current pothole crew consists of 4- 6 staff depending onthe location the work is being done. The Python would require1 operator and only 2 staff when working hi h volume highspeed road ways. This will allow surplus sta to be redeployedto other work.

Benefits

Increased Productivity:

Once the operator becomes experienced in the operation

of the unit, it is forecasted they will be able to spread

upwards of 8 MT of asphalt per day. In comparison a

traditional crew averages 3 MT per day

Year Round Use

The python is able to use both hot an cold mix asphalt.

The hopper keeps the asphalt warm even in the winter so

its pliable and easy to spread . As long as the potholes are

free of ice and snow they can be filled .

Benefits

Better Quality Patch :

From conversations with the City of Thunder Bay they arefinding the patches are lasting longer, even cold mix

patches are lasting 4 time longer. The main reason is the

cleaning of the hole with compressed air and proper

rolling .

Other Uses :Public works visited the City of Thunder Bay, and theyhave started using there Python to deal with longitudinalcracks in addition to potholes. They where also able touse there unit to deal with sever rutting areas, this was

for a short term fix for 1 - 2 years until resurfacing couldtake place.

draw Backs

Solo Sourced Unit:The Python is made and sold exclusively by SuperiorRoadsSolutions and is manufactured in Regina, SK.

Lead Time :

Delivery of a Python is estimated at 180 days

Upfront Costs :SuperiorRoads Solutions requires a 50% deposit before

manufacturing of a unit will start.

Cost:

The latest pricing for this unit with the options we require putsthe Python at around $420,000. Thunder Bay paidapproximately $ 360,000 in 2017.

draw Backs

Maintenance Issues :It is very important to keep this unit clean for it to staylow maintenance. WD- 40 is the cleaner of choice alongwith hot water. Public Works recently installed in new gas

fired hot water pressure washer that would be ideal for

keeping this unit clean .

Public Attention :Thunder Bay biggest surprise was the attention the unit

drew from both the media and the traveling public. A lotof people would stop and take pictures , and the RoadsManager actually had to hold a media event. It will beimportant to keep all informed if we obtain one of theseunits.

Conclusion

Without millions of dollars of capital investment in our road surfacenetwork, our road infrastructure continues to age and fall apartquicker.

During the peak spring pothole season, Public Works runs between3 and 5 crews per day; a pace which is hard to Keep up with.

We need to look at more efficient ways to keep up to pothole andpavement issues.

Having an semi- automated piece of equipment to help with thiswork is a new tool in the belt to help Public Works battle thisongoing problem we face.

The Python Patcher is the most innovative tool to come around in

along time that is specifically designed for road maintenancecrews.

Recommendation

Public Works is recommending that we include the

purchase of a Python Patcher in the 2020 Capital

Purchase for Fleet.

We are also recommending any saving found on an

annual basis in our patching account be redirected to

Fund 19 to offset the purchase of this unit, up to a

point where the original purchase price is paid back.

Questions

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