NEED TO SET PRIORITIES FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Maintenance of a nation's roads has three main purposes. First, since the rate of deterioration is reduced, the need for very costly reconstruction will be postponed. Second, vehicle operating costs are reduced by keeping the running surface in good condition and in particular by reducing its unevenness. Third, since maintenance helps to keep roads open, the high costs of transport unreliability and delays that would result from road failures can be avoided. The total savings that result from effective maintenance can be many times greater than the cost of carrying out that maintenance. However, in many developing countries the majority of roads receive little or no maintenance. It is often claimed that insufficient resources are allocated to road maintenance, yet that maintenance which is carried out is usually executed very inefficiently. This inefficiency stems from two main constraints: a shortage of skilled, experienced personnel and an overdependence on imported resources. The consequences of these constraints are examined. The scope for achieving greater efficiency in maintenance by using labor-based methods is discussed. However, it is concluded that there will be a substantial maintenance deficit for many years to come. It is important to recognize the effective capacity for carrying out maintenance. This provides a basis for setting priorities and for meeting them at both the national and the local levels. (Author)