Economic, environmental and technical design characteristics of highways under permafrost (insular) conditions

Abstract

This paper addresses the characteristics of road design under permafrost conditions. Economic and mathematical calculations were used along with practical experience of “Svaybur” and “Gidrostroiengineering” companies, involved in road construction and maintenance for a long period. The prices for construction materials for economic and mathematical calculations were determined using the Integrated Construction Price Standards for Capital Construction Projects for Non-Production Uses. ICP 81-02-08-2017. Collection No. 08: Roads. The environmental requirements were based on the recommended practices developed by the Federal Agency “Rosavtodor”. The cost of maintaining and reconstructing a damaged section of road can exceed by several times the estimated construction cost of the whole section, as well as hinder the logistics and transport accessibility of the agricultural land. In some cases, the environment of the surrounding land may be adversely affected, since harmful contaminants that under normal conditions are bound by the top and bottom structures of the road are released into the soil due to its erosion. The paper examines the economic and environmental problems of designing roads connecting important logistics centres under insular permafrost and permafrost conditions. Here, the calculation of construction costs for road reinforced using screw piles if necessary to prevent the erosion of some road sections during spring floods or heavy precipitation is presented, along with a comparative analysis of construction costs for roads under insular permafrost and permafrost conditions.