Dominating Factors of Road Failures: Perceptions of Key Stakeholders in the Small Island Developing State of Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

Accelerated global population increase, socioeconomic and environmental changes have resulted in spiralling maintenance costs for pavements. Current understanding of pavement deterioration fails to address this longstanding issue, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are not immune to the recurring expense incurred from pavement degradation. Existing academic debates on design and construction inadequacies in pavement longevity do not address regular maintenance challenges. This research examines the reasons for frequent pavement failures and explains how they affect Trinidad and Tobago’s future maintenance and economic development. A questionnaire was completed by 120 contractors, consultants, and state agency experts specialising in road construction and maintenance. The findings revealed from an assessment of the Relative Importance Index (RII) that utility cuts by the Water and Sewerage Authority were the most important (0.904), followed by maintenance culture (0.898), quality of work (workmanship) (0.888), poor drainage facilities, and overloaded vehicles (0.854). Climate change (temperature) was the lowest-ranked cause overall (0.568). The findings also show that economic growth and development are directly and indirectly affected, resulting in high vehicle running costs, longer travel times, and higher prices for fundamental products and services. Recommendations are made to aid engineers and policymakers in identifying critical causes and reducing the adverse consequences of frequent pavement failure. Keywords: Maintenance, Pavement deterioration, Perceptions, Road failures, Trinidad and Tobago