Readiness of Life Cycle Cost (LCC) data inputs for LCC analysis of new flexible pavement construction in the Malaysian construction industry

Abstract

Most of the flexible pavement constructions in Malaysia are designed with a lifespan ranging between ten to fifteen years. The selection of quality design and effective construction method in the early design would minimize maintenance and rehabilitation works in the future. However, the literature study has identified that the traditional practice of clients in the Malaysian construction industry focuses on the cheapest construction cost but ignored the future cost. As a result of this, the clients may encounter difficulty to achieve long-term cost saving because the greater focus is given on the cheapest construction cost instead of the optimal total cost of road pavement throughout entire service life of flexible pavement. Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis is increasingly recognized as an important economic assessment technique to provide cost information to facilitate the clients in achieving potential cost savings. This study is carried out to discover the LCC practice in the Malaysian construction industry by investigating the quality and readiness of cost data inputs of LCC analysis of new flexible pavement construction in the Malaysian construction industry. The methodology employed for this study is qualitative research strategy that comprises of two approaches, which are literature review (secondary approach) and modified Delphi study (primary approach). The literature study has established that one of the barriers to the implementation of LCC practice in the Malaysian construction industry is the lack of available, accessible and reliable cost data that is required to be used as inputs for LCC analysis of new flexible pavement construction. The outcomes of the modified Delphi have shown that all the panellists have reached agreement that the cost data in the Malaysian construction industry are not readily available, accessible, current and reliable that can be used as inputs for LCC analysis of new flexible pavement construction. To overcome this problem, the majority of the modified Delphi panellists have established that there is a need to develop an appropriate methodology on how to identify, collect and record quality cost data in producing comprehensive and reliable LCC analysis of new flexible pavement construction in the Malaysian construction industry.