INVESTIGATION ON THE BARRIERS OF CRUMB RUBBER USAGE FOR ROADS CONSTRUCTION: CASE STUDY AT SABAH

Abstract

The usage of crumb rubber in road construction has been widely acknowledged and extensively implemented globally and even locally in Malaysia due to the substantial benefits and versatility of this material contribution in road works. Even though the used of crumb rubber material in road works has been reported since the 1950s, in Malaysia, the implementation of rubberised roads technology concept have been limited and emphasised only in Peninsular Malaysia. In contrast, there have been no recorded trials or construction inroads applying this technology in Sabah. Therefore, there is a necessity to investigate the awareness, advantages, barriers, strategies, and personal opinion regarding crumb rubber usage in the road's construction of Sabah. Questionnaire surveys and structured interviews from stakeholders of the construction industries within Sabah were conducted. The quantitative data collected was tested by descriptive statistics frequencies analysis respective to each section. Further assessment on Cronbach's Alpha test, mean value comparison, relative important index, chi-square test and regression analysis were performed to interested sections. Findings showed that the main advantages and barrier were environmentally friendly factor and financial barriers. Hence respondents propose that guidelines and construction standards as a guidance for the local road agency to be available.