LABOR-INTENSIVE TECHNOLOGY: PROMISES AND BARRIERS

The numerous criteria for technology evaluation in developing countries are discussed with emphasis on labor-intensive appropriate technologies. Historical technologies, current technologies of reduced scale, the adaptation and improvement of indigenous technologies, and the need for research and development in labor-intensive techniaues are presented. The technical factors in road construction are investigated as they relate to labor intensity. Special emphasis is given to evaluation of design standards, location criteria, and scheduling. It is possible to combine labor-intensive techniques where appropriate with more-conventional capital-intensive methods. The susceptibility of the various construction components to labor-intensive application is briefly reviewed. Finally, the barriers to the adoption of labor-intensive techniques in road construction are presented. These include technical barriers; psychological barriers; bureaucratic barriers; educational barriers; managerial barriers; and the general lack of research, development, financing, marketing, and distribution systems to support labor-intensive alternatives. Labor-intensive alternatives are but one in a continuum of technologies. Developing countries will probably retain capital-intensive techniques for primary road projects. Labor-intensive techniques are probably best suited to the construction of feeder and rural-development roads. (Author)

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1980/749/749-013.pdf
• Summary URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=LABOR-INTENSIVE+TECHNOLOGY%3A+PROMISES+AND+BARRIERS&author=M.+Betz&author=R.+Despain&publication_year=1980
• Availability:
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Low-Volume Roads. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Betz, Mathew J
  • Despain, Ronald
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 67-71
• Monograph Title: Embankment Stabilization and Soil Mechanics
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 749
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Design standards; Developing countries; Development; Laborers; Location; Research; Road construction; Rural highways; Scheduling; Socioeconomic factors; Technology
• Uncontrolled Terms: Feeders; Research and development
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Economics; Highways; Research; Society; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00319360
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 03090305905
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Dec 30 1980 12:00AM