ANALYTICAL PROCEDURE FOR EVALUATING ROADWAY UPGRADING STRATEGY FOR LOW-VOLUME HIGHWAYS.

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to develop a simplified analytical procedure for determining the optimal timing for upgrading low-volume roads in developing countries. Most roadway upgradings from gravel to surface treated and to asphaltic concrete are carried out when total transport cost on a road becomes high as a result of high traffic and the consequent rapid deterioration of the roadway. Adequate timing of upgrading strategies ensures effective use of resources and lower total transport cost. This study examined existing systems, models, and approaches for estimating total transport cost components. An analytical procedure was then developed using a decision-tree concept to delineate all possible upgrading strategies within a plan period. The decision-tree concept depicts all the possible upgrading strategies within a plan period with decisions on roadway upgrading made at certain decision intervals. The total transport cost of the upgrading strategies is evaluated to establish the optimal strategies and traffic warrants for improving a roadway surface. A computer program PVMNT was written to facilitate the computation of the total transport cost. A case study was presented to demonstrate the application of the analytical procedure. The case study revealed interesting results on the changes of optimal upgrading strategies with changes in base traffic volume and growth rate. However, general conclusions could not be drawn based on the results of the case study. These results, as well as the analytical procedure, should be of interest to engineers responsible for providing low-volume roads in developing countries.