Citation

Fekpe ESK. J. Transp. Res. Forum 2002; 56(2): 89-107.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Transportation Research Forum)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Rural feeder roads play a key role in rural transportation in less developed countries by forming the main connection between agriculture production centers and the markets. The rehabilitation of these roads should benefit the inhabitants of these areas in terms of increased access to markets and reduction of transportation costs for both passengers and freight, thereby contributing to poverty reduction. This paper examines the effects of rural feeder roads improvements on operating costs and utilization of bicycles and motorcycles. Travel time and vehicle operating cost savings of bicycles and motorcycles and utilization rates are useful in evaluating the effectiveness of rural feeder roads maintenance strategies and the impacts of rural development investment options. The average vehicle operating costs for bicycles and motorcycles after improvements on rural feeder roads are two to three times less than the cost before improvement; travel time savings is 30% for bicycles and 35% for motorcycles; and utilization measured by average annual distance traveled is increased by 120% for bicycles and 130% for motorcycles. This study suggests that deterministic vehicle operating cost models using specific operational data can be used to help transportation planners and policy makers understand how operating costs are affected under different operating conditions.