Intermediate Equipment Handbook
Intech Associates
TECHNOLOGY
There are a number of Technology options open to CONTRACTORS AND
ROAD AUTHORITIES for road works. The technologies can be broadly grouped
into heavy equipment, intermediate equipment and labour (using hand tools).
Many operations involve combinations of technology, however it is not widely
appreciated that there is a range of technology options for nearly every road
sector construction or maintenance activity. There are various definitions
and interpretations of terminology used in the appropriate technology road works
sector. The following definitions are suggested:-
LOCAL RESOURCES
These can include human resources, local government, private, NGO and
community institutions, local entrepreneurs such as contractors, consultants,
industrialists and artisans, local skills, locally made or intermediate equipment,
local materials such as timber, stone, bricks, and marginal materials, locally
raised finance or provision of materials or services in kind.
LABOUR BASED ROADWORKS
Operations carried out principally by manual methods, using hand tools. They
may be supported by intermediate or sophisticated equipment for activities not
ideally suited to labour methods, e.g. medium-long distance haulage, heavy
compaction. Labourers usually walk or cycle to work each day from their homes.
INTERMEDIATE EQUIPMENT
Simple or intermediate equipment is designed for low initial and operating costs,
durability and ease of maintenance and repair in the conditions typical of a
limited-resource environment, rather than for high theoretical efficiency. It is
preferable if the equipment can also be manufactured or fabricated locally.
Modern wheeled agricultural tractors are a low cost mobile power source and
with various attachments can be used to substitute for heavy equipment for a
proven range of tasks in the road sector.
HEAVY PLANT
Sophisticated civil engineering equipment is typically designed for, and
manufactured in, high-wage, low-investment-charge economies. It is expected to
operate with close support and high annual utilisation; usually designed for a
specific single function or task with high efficiency operation.
The choice of technology has important cost implications for the owner
and operator of any equipment. These technology options should each be
properly costed to ensure that the most technically compliant and cost-effective
application of available resources is used.
Many problems encountered in the road sector in emerging and developing
countries can be attributed to the application of inappropriate technology (see
Box 1).
October 2012
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