Assessment of social cost factors for underground utility projects in the Colombo municipal area using conventional trenching and trenchless technology

Abstract

A reliable underground utility is necessary given the recent urbanization and development. To meet this demand, utility providers, including those for water supply, drainage, electricity, and telecom, upgrade their systems by laying new lines. The majority of these projects cannot be completed on time due to a variety of issues that affect all parties. In this study, the nature and seriousness of the social cost factors and their impacts on the nearby community were analyzed. The research found that residents view traffic jams and delays as more obtrusive inconveniences than nonresidents do, while customer loss and financial loss are two of the biggest social costs that businesses face. The results also emphasize the gravity of those social cost factors and impacts, such as how accidents, air and noise pollution, a decline in business revenue, and annoyances impact the neighborhood and businesses. The project owner and his experts should choose the best option based on this study to reduce social costs. This option should consider workspace roads, pipes, force mains, gravity utility pipes, trench or trenchless technology, or a combination of trench and trenchless technology that can be applied. Underground utility tunnels have developed into a sustainable, long-term problem-solving technique that is used all over the world. Using an open-cut methodology, a perspective-based approach is taken to address all current issues.