Revised approaches to the provision of low-volume roads in southern Africa.

The effective and efficient provision of low-volume roads (LVRs) in many southern African countries requires a major departure from traditional practice. Documentation relating to the provision of such roads is often based on technology emanating from Europe and the USA. Although these standard approaches have been revised to some extent, they are still often inappropriate for situations where locally prevailing conditions are very different from those for which the traditional approaches were developed. It is now patently clear that new, more holistic, approaches, requiring a paradigm shift in thinking, are required if LVRs are to be provided on a more affordable and sustainable basis. This paper provides examples of some innovative approaches to LVR road provision based on research work that has been carried out during the past 20 years in the southern Africa region. Examples include aspects of planning and project appraisal, geometric and pavement design and construction and drainage practice which need to be reconsidered in terms of the purpose and function of low volume rural roads. The paper concludes that good engineering practice and flexibility in approach are fundamental to the development of appropriate and economic designs for low-volume roads in the southern Africa region. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E217099.