The Which Technology and Resources? webpage provides an introduction to the topic of technology choice. This webpage delves deeper into the topic and the possibilities for application of the three principal options of labour, intermediate equipment or heavy plant in rural roadworks.
We consider here the feasibility of each technology for the range of roadworks operations in construction and maintenance.
Most rural road work operations have a choice of proven technology options. It is interesting to note that labour based technology is feasible for most of these. The flexibility of labour to be trained and deployed to a range of tasks is in stark contrast to the inflexibility of single task heavy equipment.
A systematic review of rural roadworks technologies found that there is a sound evidence base of engineering-based technologies which can be used to improve upon the functional and structural performance of earth or gravel rural roads in LICs/LMICs. These technologies may be considered to be sustainable in physical terms in specific environments. The evidence from the review suggests that well designed roads using available resources, under good construction supervision and subject to appropriate maintenance practice will yield a sustainable road from a wide variety of materials in a wide variety of environments.
When it comes to road surfacing, there is a great range of technology options discussed in the Low Cost Road Surfaces webpage.
It is important to look at the challenges of introducing new technology methods in an environment where the main players may have been trained, or have experience only, in one or two of the technology options. Introducing new technology options involves ensuring political and management support for the changes, possibly demonstrating the technologies to decision makers and managers, ensuring that standards, specifications and contract arrangements allow or actually encourage the changes. Adaption to the local environment may be required, and training in new techniques arranged (and paid for!).
Any costing and economic comparisons of feasible technology options must take into account the whole life cycle costs, training and particularly issues of overheads and real costs of finance and credit. Social, local enterprise and environmental aspects also become increasingly important considerations.
