Facility-based planning methodology for rural roads using spatial techniques

Abstract Provision of good rural roads to meet the public facilities changes the characteristics of rural transport. This paper aims at identifying the roads in a network for upgradation and maintenance based on the pavement and develop a methodology for prioritization of the roads using village facility indices. The study area is located in Warangal District, Telangana, India. Spatial analysis was carried out in the study area to identify the maximum coverage distance of the facility to design the village facility index using ArcGIS software. A priority list of the road links to upgradation works is prepared by calculating the link weight using gravity formula. A Geographic Information System (GIS)-based rural road database is developed, which will help the authorities in the road sector to expand the infrastructure facilities for current and future requirement. Practical applications of the model exhibit significant advantages over the general practices of rural road planning in India.