Rural Road Economic Appraisal Methodology

For some time now, it has been clear that rural transport infrastructure (below 50 vpd) is ill suited for appraisal using the conventional economic cost-benefit analysis as it is applied to highly trafficked main roads. Rather, a wider view is needed to assess the role of low-volume transport infrastructure interventions, including the social importance of ensuring basic access to resources and opportunities. This paper discusses appraisal in the context of participatory approaches for the selection and priority setting of rural transport infrastructure interventions and projects, as well as the economic rationale of the planning process. The starting point in the analysis is the definition of the information needed for this process. It defines the local community or government transport plan as a key tool for the participatory planning process. It also describes alternative screening and ranking methods, in particular cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit approaches.