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

Abstract

The most important intent of this research will be conducting a life-cycle cost analysis of different maintenance activities over DBST road segments undertaken by Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) Sodo road network and safety management branch directorate, considering the Maintenance District as a case study. In order to meet the objectives of the study, a case study has considered both quantitative and qualitative data. Road condition survey data was collected by conducting road condition survey with the help of Sodo RNSMBD staffs. After collecting the necessary data, all possible input data was arranged in order to feed HDM-4. There was analysis by using Highway Development and Management Model (HDM-4) tool and the life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) were carried out in order to determine the economic viability of different road maintenance intervention alternatives. The analysis was carried out by considering a do nothing, do routine works and do periodic works scenarios. The economic indicator used for this study was Net present value (NPV). Generally, the results of this study indicate that most of the road condition of the selected DBST road segments falls under poor condition. The economic analysis results also depict that implementing 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 user under Sodo RNSMBD. Therefore, road agencies should embrace the practices of applying more preventive activities at early signs of pavement deterioration in order to preserve of road assets.

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