Improving rural road design

In emerging economies around the world, rural roads often play a key economic role as the first link in a complex agricultural supply chain.
February 28, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Low-volume roads present engineers and drivers with specific challenges

In emerging economies around the world, rural roads often play a key economic role as the first link in a complex agricultural supply chain.

Farmers delivering crops and livestock to nearby markets often do so using unsurfaced – and in many cases unsafe – roads with prohibitively high costs for rural communities. These factors translate into disincentives to produce more goods than can physically be transported.

Ample empirical evidence shows that improved rural road design has the potential to reduce operating costs, cut traffic accident rates and create new market opportunities for rural communities. Yet, on account of low traffic volumes, providing new infrastructure assets is sometimes difficult to cost-justify using classic economic instruments. Thus, wherever possible, design and maintenance practices should be used that help prolong the design life of existing roads in a cost-effective manner.

The main engineering considerations in the design and maintenance of lasting low-volume roads consist of erosion, sedimentation, channel modifications and slope instability. State of the art rural road engineering involves a blend of three basic components: applying basic engineering and design concepts (drainage analysis, proper use of roadway materials), selecting adequate environmental mitigation measures, such as erosion and sediment control, and using innovative technologies wherever possible. As part of its mission to provide continuing professional development, 2462 IRF will be hosting an international workshop on low-volume road management in Orlando, Florida on April 11-13, 2012. Addressed primarily at civil engineers, road managers and resource specialists involved in the design and maintenance of rural roads, the workshop will focus on the importance of drainage, both on road surfaces and where roads cross drainage channels, as well as best practices regarding slope stabilisation and use of materials.

Related Content

  • Tougher roads
    January 22, 2013
    Designing structures and pavements to accommodate warmer weather and more extreme temperatures On October 22nd, IRF held a notable workshop on environmental protection and the impacts of climate change in Cordoba, Argentina, in conjunction with the XVI Argentine Congress of Road Administration and Traffic. The workshop addressed a topic of key concern to transportation planning and design professionals around the world. The discussion was animated by guest panellists Professor Ram M Pendyala and Gordon Rex
    Read More
  • The IRF holding Safer Roads by Design training
    August 14, 2014
    The IRF will be holding the fourth edition of its acclaimed road safety training program for highway engineers and road safety managers on November 30th – December 9th in Orlando, Florida.
    Read More
  • IRF Far East road safety training
    February 8, 2012
    For the past two decades, road safety advocates have faced an uphill battle of convincing governments of the very real epidemic of road fatalities and to invest resources to combat the carnage. And after several years of awareness campaigns, most, if not all, public road officials now agree that the world's roads must be safer.
    Read More
  • China's Roads Convention focuses on sustainability
    February 9, 2012
    IRF joins with key Chinese transport authorities to lead the way in efforts to make sustainable rural mobility, transport and access a reality for millions throughout the world.
    Read More

Highlighted Content