Abstract

MORALES-FLORES, Francisco Javier; MARTIN-FERNANDEZ, Susana  and  CADENA-INIGUEZ, Jorge. Travel time and its effect on indicators of the quality of rural life: a study in the municipality of Salinas, San Luis Potosí, México. agric. soc. desarro [online]. 2011, vol.8, n.2, pp.261-280. ISSN 1870-5472.

The use of public goods by authorities that rule a region with administrative limits is one of the problems faced by societies, including the rural ones. A network of rural roads is an example of goods with scarce maintenance by the authorities, which is also the way for the flow of goods and services. Its good state and maintenance is a factor that influences rural development. In this research, we analyze the effect of rural roads on social indicators related with the quality of life in a rural population. Travel time from communities to the head town of the municipal government was estimated, as a measure of distance from services; indirect indicators were reviewed regarding marginalization, electrification and levels of basic education, as well as direct effects in financial income, family expenditure and schooling conditions that rural families, have due to the state of the roads. Marginalization and electrification did not depend on distance; however, a lower use of schooling was found in schools outside the municipal head town, and family income is reduced up to 40% as the travel time increases.

Keywords : rural roads; primary school; maintenance; participation.

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