A Life Cycle Cost Analysis over Alternative Maintenance Interventions on Double Bituminous Surface Treatment Road Segments

Abstract

This research aims to conduct a life-cycle cost analysis of different maintenance activities over DBST road segments undertaken by the Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) Sodo Road Network and Safety Management Branch Directorate (RNSMBD) by considering the Maintenance District as a case study. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected to meet the study's objectives. Road condition survey data were collected by conducting a road condition survey with the help of Sodo RNSMBD staff. After collecting the necessary data, all possible input data was arranged to feed HDM-4. The analysis used the Highway Development and Management Model (HDM-4) tool and the life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) to determine the economic viability of different road maintenance intervention alternatives. The analysis was carried out by considering doing nothing, doing routine work, and doing periodic work scenarios. The economic indicator used for this study was Net Present Value (NPV). The results of this study indicate that most of the road conditions of the selected DBST road segments fall under poor conditions. The economic analysis results also depicted that implementing a preventive maintenance strategy on DBST road segments can significantly decrease the life cycle cost in terms of costs incurred by both the road agency and users under Sodo RNSMBD. The study concluded that road agencies should embrace the practices of applying more preventive activities at early signs of pavement deterioration to preserve road assets.

Keywords: DBST, ERA, HDM-4, Life Cycle Cost Analysis, Road Maintenance, Bituminous