Research activities on rural roads

Abstract

This research informs those making decisions about the upgrading of roads in rural and regional Australia. It examines the implications of including new variables in benefit cost analysis of upgrading of roads. Its objectives are to<br/> • examine alternative approaches to cost-benefit analysis of improved quality in rural roads; and <br/> • contribute to development of further research including piloting.<br/> Partners in this research are the Councils of Moree Plains and Gwydir Shires of Western New South Wales, but the implications are applicable to all of Australia's regions. <br/> Using detailed data on the partners' selected roads, costs and benefits of upgrading to bitumen sealing were calculated. Sensitivity to assumptions on data, and the parameters used, was examined.<br/> Key findings are:<br/> 1.There is evidence that variables not normally considered in evaluation of rural road upgrade projects are likely to have an influence on the outcome of those evaluations. This particularly applies to agricultural value added and road maintenance costs: both of these feature specific orientation to rural and regional transport characteristics.<br/> 2.Significant network effects of road upgrading are apparent, and are likely to be more so where interactions occur between modes of transport<br/> 3.More research is needed to characterise these results, using improved data and standard procedures<br/> 4.Owing to population size, social benefits of upgrading rural roads is found to be negligible, across a range of assumptions<br/> 5.The effects of rain on black soil roads requires further investigation. Data limitations prevented a full treatment, and details of patterns of useand closure of wet roads require further examination.<br/> This analysis suggests that substantial benefits could be delivered to agricultural producers by rural road upgrades and that these benefits should be included within any benefit-cost analysis of these projects.<br/> The recommendations are:<br/> • Further research to validate and extend the current work<br/> • Adoption of variables identified here within formal software and other analytical devices, for testing <br/> • Pilot studies, collaboratively performed in a variety of rural settings, selected for applicability to opportunities raised in this report.