Traffic Threshold for Upgrading Low Volume Roads Considering Different Maintenance Strategies
Date
2020-08
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pulchowk Campus
Abstract
The transport network is considered as the backbone of a society. The low volume roads in
rural areas connect the people to their market and administrative centers. Upgrading and
maintenance activities of these roads for all weather operation need huge resources. A proper
economic decision tool is required for allocation of the scare funds by prioritizing of roads for
upgrading and maintenance.
The study is focused on finding the effects of maintenance activities on determining the
threshold for upgrading low volume roads. During the economic analysis, HDM-4 is used as the
tool to calculate the Net Present Value of a project alternative. The Net Present Value of a
project alternative is the difference between the Present Value of Total Transportation Cost of
base alternative and the project alternative. The traffic volume corresponding to the Zero Net
Present Value gives the threshold value of the traffic volume for upgrading the road from base
alternative to project alternative.
The contribution of road user cost in total transportation cost is about 86%. The traffic threshold
(ADT) for upgrading the earthen road to gravel road, DBST road and asphalt road is 47, 73 and
88 respectively for Ideal Maintenance Scenario and 45, 66 and 85 for Minimal Maintenance
Scenario. Similarly, traffic threshold (ADT) for upgrading the gravel road to DBST road and
asphalt road is 104 and 128 respectively for Ideal Maintenance Scenario and 76 and 102 for
Minimal Maintenance Scenario.
If proper maintenance is ensured, the threshold of upgrading road will increase. The observed
value of AADT at which the upgrading of low volume road are being carried out and the
theoretical AADT derived in the research are statistically indifferent.
Description
The transport network is considered as the backbone of a society. The low volume roads in
rural areas connect the people to their market and administrative centers. Upgrading and
maintenance activities of these roads for all weather operation need huge resources.
Keywords
Road Upgrading, Economic Analysis, Low volume roads, Road Maintenance
Citation
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING