The deteriorating state of US wastewater infrastructure, graded D-, highlights the urgent need for sewer system upgrades. Traditional excavation technology (ET), though widely used, imposes significant social costs, including traffic disruption, environmental impact, and road damage. Trenchless technologies, such as Cured-in-Place Pipe Renewal (CIPPRM), offer a minimally invasive, cost-effective alternative by installing a resin-impregnated fabric into aging pipelines, reducing surface disruption. The paper's objective is to present a comprehensive framework for evaluating the social costs associated with CIPPRM and ET for underground pipeline projects. Through a case study analysis, the research identified key factors driving social costs, with fuel expenses for detour routes, detour-related delays, and pavement restoration emerging. Results emphasize the importance of considering social costs in infrastructure decision-making, as stakeholders often focus solely on direct construction expenses, leading to underestimations of total project impact. By integrating social cost assessments, decision-makers can make more informed choices, optimizing urban sewer renewal with minimal disruption. The proposed framework is a versatile tool for evaluating project impacts across various site conditions, promoting sustainable infrastructure renewal. Emphasizing social cost considerations ensures more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly pipeline rehabilitation, ultimately improving urban resilience and long-term infrastructure sustainability.
Thakre et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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