Page 63 - Microsoft Word - 20120528 Unesco study
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5 Conclusions & Recommendations
5.1 General
PowerCem Technologies is a company which offers a technology for infrastructure whereby a
highly durable pavement construction will be achieved. Based on experiences these pavement
constructions are highly resistant against water erosion. This makes the PowerCem Technology
very useful in flood risk areas. The roads can be used directly after a flood to provide the
region with food and medical supplies. Also the maintenance costs of the roads after a flood
will be reduced to the minimum.
In Tabasco, a state of Mexico, this technology has been used for 3 years now. During these
years some floods occurred and the PowerCem Technology based road constructions were not
damaged. As such, many parties including governments, engineering companies and
contractors are interested in this technology. With the aid of this study the economic value of
this technology will be emphasized.
The overall objective is to assess the economic effects of the PowerCem Technology on the
infrastructure in flood risk and inundation areas. To determine the economic effects a
difference is made in direct costs, e.g. the rehabilitation of a specific damaged road and the
indirect costs, e.g. the influence on the accessibility of a region.
The direct economic effects are simulated in a model which has been developed during this
study. This study will be validated for a specific region; however the final model must be
applicable for world-wide purposes. For the indirect costs the effects are described for three
locations.
The economic effects are determined by a comparison between traditional systems and the
PowerCem Technology.
The main objective will be answered by the following sub-objectives:
- What are the damages on the road infrastructure after a flood in a specific region?
- What are the damage and maintenance costs of traditional systems?
- What are the costs of the PowerCem Technology?
- What are the technical benefits of the PowerCem Technology in relation to traditional
systems?
In paragraph 5.2 the conclusions of this study given and in paragraph 5.3 further
recommendations are proposed.
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