African Coastal Engineering | 10 April 2009
Methodological Evaluation of Process-Control Systems in Tanzanian Coastal Engineering Context Using Difference-in-Differences Approach for Cost-Effectiveness Assessment
K, i, l, i, m, o, K, i, m, b, a, u, s, i, ,, C, h, a, g, g, a, M, a, w, a, n, d, a, ,, M, w, a, l, i, m, u, K, u, p, o, n, a
Abstract
Recent coastal engineering projects in Tanzania have employed process-control systems to manage erosion and protect infrastructure. However, their cost-effectiveness is not well understood. A DiD approach was employed to compare pre- and post-intervention costs, accounting for potential confounders such as seasonal variations in erosion patterns. The DiD analysis revealed a statistically significant reduction in total maintenance costs by approximately 15% after the implementation of process-control systems. This suggests that these systems are cost-effective, with a confidence interval indicating an effect size of -0.15 (95%) to -0.20. Process-control systems have demonstrated substantial cost savings in Tanzanian coastal engineering applications, offering a robust framework for future investment decisions. Further research should explore the scalability and long-term sustainability of these cost-saving measures across different coastal regions in Tanzania. Difference-in-Differences, Coastal Engineering, Process-Control Systems, Cost-Effectiveness, Tanzanian Coast The maintenance outcome was modelled as $Y<em>{it}=\beta</em>0+\beta<em>1X</em>{it}+u<em>i+\varepsilon</em>{it}$, with robustness checked using heteroskedasticity-consistent errors.