Abstract
The purpose of this study is to develop a technique for estimating vehicle speeds on rural roads in developing countries since conventional methods are impractival because of the low level of traffic flow. Speeds on two types of road were distinguished: those with a bitumen surface, and those with either a gravel or earth surface (called murram roads in East Africa). Regression analysis was used to derive equations for estimating the speeds of both light and heavy vehicles. Speeds were found to be significantly affected by the physical characteristics of the roads tested, woth vertical curvature, horizontal curvature and road wigth having the most influence. (A)