The research is particularly relevant as local governments increasingly rely on digital platforms to receive road damage reports from citizens. While public participation in reporting infrastructure problems has grown rapidly, many road management agencies still struggle with fragmented data, limited monitoring of repair quality, incomplete maintenance records, and manual cost management. According to the researchers, integrating these processes into a single WebGIS platform can help agencies make faster and more informed maintenance decisions.
Growing Demand for Digital Road Infrastructure Management
Road infrastructure plays a central role in supporting transportation, economic activity, and public safety. Damaged roads increase vehicle operating costs, slow the movement of goods, and create safety risks for motorists and pedestrians alike.
In East Java, the Public Works and Highways Agency already allows residents to report road damage through a WhatsApp complaint service. During the study period, the agency received 222 public complaints across 11 Road and Bridge Management Technical Implementation Units (UPT PJJ). Among them, UPT PJJ Mojokerto recorded 30 complaints, highlighting the need for more efficient monitoring and repair management.
Although digital reporting has improved communication between the public and government agencies, existing complaint systems do not automatically integrate technical inspection data, repair standards, maintenance history, or financial information. As a result, agencies often experience delays in prioritizing repairs and evaluating completed maintenance work.
The researchers argue that WebGIS technology offers an opportunity to connect all these components within one digital platform capable of displaying spatial information in real time.
How the Study Was Conducted
Rather than focusing solely on identifying road damage, the research evaluated whether developing a WebGIS platform would be economically worthwhile.
The researchers collected secondary data from the Mojokerto Road and Bridge Management Unit, including:
- Public road damage complaint records
- Provincial road network data
- Government budgeting documents (DPA/RKA)
- Estimated investment and operational costs
- Expected economic benefits from digital management
The financial analysis used two widely recognized investment indicators:
- Return on Investment (ROI) to measure investment efficiency.
- Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) to compare long-term financial benefits against total costs.
The analysis considered initial software development, hardware procurement, staff training, annual maintenance, licensing, and technical support, alongside projected operational savings and administrative efficiencies.
Key Findings
The economic evaluation produced encouraging results for the proposed WebGIS system.
The study found:
- Initial investment cost: Rp28.2 million
- Annual operational cost: Rp12.5 million
- Estimated economic benefits: Rp68.5 million
Using these figures, the researchers calculated:
- Return on Investment (ROI): 76.90%
- Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR): 1.68
An ROI of nearly 77 percent indicates that the financial returns substantially exceed the investment and operational costs. Meanwhile, a BCR above 1 demonstrates that the project's benefits outweigh its total costs over the four-year analysis period, making the investment economically feasible.
The findings suggest that WebGIS implementation can generate financial value while simultaneously improving operational performance.
Beyond Financial Returns
The proposed WebGIS platform is designed to function as more than a digital map. It integrates several critical components of road management into a unified information system, including:
- Real-time mapping of road damage locations
- Documentation of repair methods and standards
- Maintenance history for every road segment
- Cost monitoring and budgeting
- Integration of public complaints with technical evaluations
This integrated approach enables road management agencies to monitor repair progress, evaluate maintenance quality, and prioritize interventions based on accurate spatial information rather than isolated reports.
The researchers also note that digital records reduce administrative workload and improve institutional accountability because repair activities become easier to trace and evaluate over time.
Implications for Government and Public Services
The study provides practical evidence that investing in digital infrastructure management systems can deliver measurable financial and operational benefits.
For local governments, WebGIS can support evidence-based budgeting by linking maintenance expenditures with documented repair outcomes. Decision-makers can identify recurring damage, allocate resources more efficiently, and monitor contractor performance using comprehensive historical data.
For road users, the system has the potential to shorten response times between public complaints and repair actions. Better monitoring may also improve repair quality by ensuring that maintenance follows established technical standards.
As governments across Indonesia continue expanding digital public services, the research offers a practical model for integrating citizen participation with modern geographic information systems.
According to Andy Martono, Budi Witjaksana, and Andi Patriadi of Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya, WebGIS should be viewed not merely as mapping software but as a strategic management tool capable of integrating road damage reports, repair quality monitoring, maintenance history, and financial evaluation into a single digital ecosystem. Their findings indicate that such integration can strengthen efficiency, transparency, and long-term sustainability in road infrastructure management.
Author Profiles
Andy Martono - Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya
Budi Witjaksana - Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya
Andi Patriadi - Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya
Source
Journal Article: Examination Of Investment Viability Through ROI and BCR Regarding The Creation Of A WebGIS-Based Road Damage Management Software At The Mojokerto PJJ UPT
Authors: Andy Martono, Budi Witjaksana, Andi Patriadi
Journal: Formosa Journal of Science and Technology (FJST)
Publication Year: 2026
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