Abstract

MARTINEZ-MURILLO, Laura Isabel  and  OLAYA-MORALES, Yris. Estimating the life cycle cost for stabilization of rural roads in Colombia using industrial by-products. Lect. Econ. [online]. 2019, n.91, pp.241-277. ISSN 0120-2596.  https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.le.n91a08.

Low serviceability of rural road networks in Colombia hinders economic development, and especially rural development. Municipalities have budget constraints, so it is important to develop low cost techniques for preventive and corrective maintenance of rural roads. Stabilization of rural roads using industrial by-products is an alternative to improve road conditions and to prevent negative impacts from sediment production. This paper presents a case study in which three non-commercial materials produced from industrial waste are used for stabilizing a road section in Urrao, Antioquia. Stabilization costs are compared for the three alternatives by adapting the life cycle cost analysis to the information available. In addition, assessed costs consider geographic and technical factors, as well as availability of residues. It is found that stabilization costs are highly sensitive to waste availability and location, to processed volumes and to transportation costs.

Clasificación JEL: H54, O22, R42.

Keywords : life cycle cost analysis; road stabilization; industrial by-products; rural development.

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