Comparative Analysis of Cost and Time Between Rigid and Flexible Pavements on the Pilang–Sawocangkring Road Section, Sidoarjo Regency

Abstract

Agricultural infrastructure plays a crucial role in supporting regional food security, particularly in highly productive zones such as Wonoayu District, Sidoarjo Regency. However, inadequate road conditions often hinder the smooth flow of agricultural logistics, thereby emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure development. This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of cost and construction time between rigid and flexible pavement types on the Pilang–Sawocangkring road segment. Utilizing traffic projections based on ESA5 and JSKN for the years 2035 and 2055, the analysis encompasses pavement dimensioning, construction cost estimates, and life-cycle cost evaluations. The findings indicate that rigid pavements, although requiring a higher initial investment and longer construction duration, provide significantly greater structural durability and reduced maintenance costs over the long term. In contrast, flexible pavements offer advantages in terms of faster implementation and lower upfront costs, yet they tend to underperform under continuous heavy agricultural traffic due to higher susceptibility to deformation and frequent maintenance requirements. The study also highlights the importance of considering subgrade conditions such as CBR values as well as economic and project timeline constraints in pavement selection. Overall, this comparative study provides a data-driven foundation for informed decision-making in rural infrastructure planning. It concludes that rigid pavement is more suitable for long-term agricultural development due to its higher performance and cost-efficiency over time. The insights gained from this analysis are expected to contribute to more effective rural road planning, ensuring sustainability, budget optimization, and improved access for local agricultural communities.