Implementation of New Highway Management Tools in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Tanzania

Abstract

In many developing countries like Tanzania, one of the major management problems is the lack of decision-making tools for preparing road maintenance programs. This deficiency results in poor resource allocation and poor utilization of existing assets. This paper summarizes the results of a pilot study on implementing sustainable highway management tools in Tanzania. It was recognized at the beginning of the study that data acquisition is one of the single most expensive items in the implementation of a pavement management system. Consequently a sustainable data acquisition scheme, appropriate to developing countries, was designed and tested. The research showed that using these methods together with appropriate management tools results in better management information. It is envisaged that the methods developed will help Tanzania to determine appropriate resource requirements as well as cost-effective pavement maintenance and rehabilitation programs.

Challenges and barriers to establishing infrastructure asset management

“…Five barriers in this category were rated with a high effect (important) in Libyan responses: using an incompatible operational process with local conditions; lack of regulations to enhance accountability; prevalence of corruption; undefined contracting criteria; and centralized decision making. Respondents encouraged organizations to build an asset management system based on minimum available information and data (Mushule and Kerali, 2001). Exporting a sophisticated system at the beginning will not support decision makers, but it can complicate processes and procedures and drive all parties to deny implementation.…”

“…Respondents encouraged organizations to build an asset management system based on minimum available information and data (Mushule and Kerali 2001). Exporting a sophisticated system at the beginning will not support decision makers, but it can complicate processes and procedures and drive all parties to deny implementation.…”

“…Despite the tremendous current and future growth of infrastructure assets in developing countries, many developing country agencies do not yet have a systematic process to manage their assets (Alkilani and Jupp 2012;Gwilliam 2003;Heravi and Hajihosseini 2011;Mushule and Kerali 2001;Pinard 1987;Sohail et al 2002;Wijnia 2009). However, as these countries develop asset management systems, they need to understand the barriers they may face when implementing these systems.…”

Development and Application of a Sustainable Management System for Unpaved Rural Road Networks

“…Although the extent of rural networks represents the main proportion of a nation’s roads system, funding is limited and practical decision-making tools are not available for preparing road maintenance programs. Given this, agencies are unable to evaluate the overall condition of the road network, quantify the socio-economic effects associated with a poor network condition and, therefore, accounting to the government and the public the need for investment in rural roads maintenance ( 6 ).…”