Framework for selecting pavement types for low volume roads

Abstract

Low volume roads, have remained the least attended roads in Sri Lanka, although over 72% of the entire road network in Sri Lanka are low volume roads. The funds allocated by local authorities are insufficient to maintain at least 50% of existing low volume roads in good condition. It has been become the trend in the recent past to pave low volume roads in asphalt all over the country regardless of the traffic volume and the required condition of the road. Although asphalt roads have many advantages from the point of view of the road user, when analyzing the effective cost comparisons of life cycle cost this may not be the most suitable method available for some roads considering the limited funds available. A structured questionnaire was used to identify several issues associated with different road surfacing methods. Life cycle cost analysis was done to find the most suitable paving type for by using Net Present Value technique (NPV). According to that gravel has the highest NPV for 20 year design period while concrete block pavement has the lowest NPV. For a 10 year design period asphalt has the highest NPV.