The findings matter for regional governments facing rising maintenance costs and increasing traffic pressure. While asphalt roads can be built faster, the study shows they are significantly more expensive over their service life. For a 40-year design period, asphalt pavement costs reached more than Rp 52 billion, compared to Rp 15 billion for concrete pavement on the same road segment. The results provide practical evidence for policymakers deciding how to invest limited infrastructure budgets.
Why Road Material Choices Matter
Road infrastructure plays a central role in economic growth, especially in regions that rely on logistics and commodity distribution. In Lamongan Regency, northern road sections connect rural production areas with ports, markets, and industrial zones. Heavy trucks transporting agricultural products and fish dominate traffic on the Sumberwudi–Maduran Road, accelerating pavement damage.
Local data show that as of 2025, only about 60 percent of regency roads in Lamongan were in stable condition, highlighting the urgency of smarter infrastructure planning. Traffic volumes continue to rise, driven by economic growth and increased vehicle ownership. Under these conditions, poor material choices can lead to premature road failure, frequent repairs, and higher public spending.
The study responds to this challenge by comparing flexible pavement (asphalt) and rigid pavement (concrete) designs using real traffic data and current Indonesian road design standards.
How the Analysis Was Conducted
The researchers examined a 10-kilometer road segment using field surveys, pavement sampling, and traffic observations. They analyzed vehicle loads and growth projections using the 2024 Road Pavement Design Manual (MDPJ) issued by Indonesia’s Directorate General of Highways.
Two design scenarios were evaluated for each pavement type:
· 20-year service life
· 40-year service life
For each scenario, the team calculated pavement thickness, construction volume, total budget requirements, and estimated construction time. Costs included both initial construction and periodic maintenance over the planned service life.
Key Findings at a Glance
The comparison produced clear and measurable results.
Cost Comparison
· 20-year design
o Asphalt pavement: Rp 17.64 billion
o Concrete pavement: Rp 9.06 billion
· 40-year design
o Asphalt pavement: Rp 52.23 billion
o Concrete pavement: Rp 15.03 billion
Construction Time
· Asphalt pavement:
o 20 years: 31 days
o 40 years: 37 days
· Concrete pavement:
o 20 years: 180 days
o 40 years: 205 days
Maintenance Frequency
· Asphalt roads typically require major repairs every 10 years
· Concrete roads require periodic maintenance every 20 years
Despite longer construction times, concrete pavements showed far superior economic performance when evaluated across decades of use.
What This Means for Infrastructure Policy
The study highlights a trade-off that is highly relevant for local governments. Asphalt roads allow for quick construction and minimal short-term disruption, which is attractive for urgent projects. However, in high-load corridors dominated by heavy trucks, asphalt surfaces degrade faster and demand repeated repairs.
Concrete pavements, while slower to build, provide:
· Longer service life
· Lower maintenance frequency
· Substantially reduced life-cycle costs
According to the authors, this makes concrete pavement a more sustainable option for logistics routes, industrial zones, and regional connector roads.
“Concrete pavement offers substantial financial advantages, especially when long-term maintenance requirements are taken into account,” the authors explain in their analysis, emphasizing its suitability for roads with continuous heavy traffic from industrial and fisheries sectors at Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya
Real-World Impact for Communities and Government
For communities along the Sumberwudi–Maduran Road, more durable pavement means:
· Fewer traffic disruptions due to repairs
· Safer and smoother transport of goods
· Improved access to markets and services
For policymakers, the findings support life-cycle cost analysis rather than short-term budgeting when planning road projects. Investing in concrete pavements may reduce future financial burdens while improving overall road reliability.
The study also contributes to broader discussions on sustainable infrastructure. Roads that last longer with fewer repairs can reduce material consumption, construction emissions, and social disruption caused by repeated maintenance work.
Author Profiles
Johan
Sanjoko, M.Eng. Civil
Engineering Researcher, Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya
Expertise: Road pavement design, infrastructure cost analysis, transportation
engineering
Andi
Patriadi, M.Eng. Lecturer
and Researcher, Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya
Expertise: Highway engineering, pavement materials, construction management
Retno Hastijanti, M.Eng. Civil Engineering Academic, Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya Expertise: Infrastructure planning, pavement performance, regional transportation systems
Source
Article Title: A Case Study of the Sumberwudi–Maduran Road Section, Lamongan Regency, East Java Province: A Comparative Study of Materials in the Design of Concrete and Asphalt Road Pavements in Terms of Cost and Time
Journal: Formosa Journal of Science and Technology
Year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/fjst.v5i1.371
Published by Formosa News. Ready for republication with attribution.
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