Impact of road roughness (IRI) on banana transport logistics: Rural roads in Ecuador

Abstract

Rural road infrastructure, often referred to as the "last mile," is a critical determinant for the competitiveness of agricultural supply chains in developing countries. This study evaluates the impact of road surface conditions on the logistics efficiency of banana transport in the San Lorenzo del Mate – Puerto Posorja corridor, Ecuador. A mixed-method approach was employed, integrating technical measurement of the International Roughness Index (IRI) using accelerometric sensors and GPS (RoadLab Pro), with a qualitative analysis based on interviews with local logistics stakeholders. The results reveal a significant structural gap: the unpaved section presents a weighted average IRI of 9.17 m/km (classified as "Very Poor"), severely limiting operating speeds and damaging vehicle fleets, whereas the paved section records an IRI of 4.34 m/km ("Fair"). The analysis confirms that high roughness, exacerbated by the lack of drainage works at critical points, leads to total supply chain disruption during the rainy season, causing product loss and cost overruns. It is concluded that priority intervention must integrate hydraulic works alongside pavement rehabilitation to ensure the logistical resilience of the export sector.