Re-Defining “Project Impact”: Incorporating Social Considerations Into The Rural Road Prioritization Process

Year-round reliable rural roads are a critical component of social and economic development, particularly in developing countries. Currently, road planning and the prioritization of investment decisions are based upon cost-benefit analysis (CBA) which is highly dependent on technical and economic analysis, but largely excludes social considerations. In rural areas, this frequently omits the most vulnerable, impoverished communities that have the most to gain from road access but may show a low rate return using current prioritization processes. This research focuses on augmenting the current CBA for rural road prioritization by broadening the analysis to include a robust social impact indicator that is designed to be streamlined into current prioritization processes. By expanding the definition of ‘project impact’ to account for social impacts, infrastructure investments can reduce both physical and developmental deficits. While infrastructure is not a turnkey to social development, funding aimed at lessening the infrastructure deficit in developing countries may, according to research findings, be able to improve social development indicators through more robust and holistic approach to planning.