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EDITORIAL
WELCOME to the Fourth edition of
Transport, produced by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) on behalf of the Department
for International Development (DFID) which replaced the Overseas Development
Administration (ODA) on 2 May 1997.
This edition aims to highlight the
third theme objective for the Transport Sector (T3), with articles on DFID's rural
transport research programme, animal cart technology, urban travel behaviour and the role
of the International Forum on Rural Transport and Development. This edition also presents
a complete list of DFID funded research projects under the Technology Development and
Research (TDR) initiative.
The objective of Theme T3 is to:
'Improve the availability of cost-effective transport for the rural and urban poor,
including public transport and non-motorised modes'. It is primarily concerned with
sustainable urban and rural transport.
Poor rural accessibility not only
hinders economic growth but has important social consequences and solutions cannot be
confined to increased provision of roads. There is often a severe lack of transport
services and although the deregulation of transport services in urban areas has been
studied, little is known about the effects of liberalisation of rural services.
Where vehicle ownership and
diversity are low there is a strong case for the promotion of alternative vehicle modes.
Rural infrastructure, including paths, tracks and roads, requires appropriate design,
construction and maintenance guidelines. Conventional economic analysis is generally
inappropriate because traffic flows are low and hence the benefits are difficult to
quantify.
In urban and peri-urban areas where
many of the poor live, transport expenditure consumes a large proportion of family
household budgets with low income families spending up to 20% of their incomes on
essential travel, usually by diverse public transport modes. The purpose of the DFID
Newsletter is to provide information on the Transport sub sector and disseminate research
findings to relevant organisations and individuals both in the developed and developing
world.
The editor would be pleased to hear
from readers with views, ideas and comments. For more detailed or technical information on
any of the TDR projects, please contact the relevant project manager listed. Contact
addresses are on the back page.
Any views expressed are those of
the Editor and the individual contributors and not necessarily those of DFID.
NEW
TRL EMAIL ADDRESS
A new Email address is now
available for general enquiries to TRL Overseas Centre:
Email: International_Enquiries@trl.co.uk. Individuals can still be contacted directly.
INTERNET
The text of all the DFID newsletters is available on the Internet on the DFIDWorld Wide
Web Home Page. At present they are listed under Publications but will in future be located
under Research. The address is : http://www.oneworld.org/oda.
THE INTERNATIONAL FORUM FOR RURAL TRANSPORT
AND DEVELOPMENT (IFRTD)
The International Forum for Rural
Transport and Development (IFRTD) was set up in 1993 to promote an alternative approach to
rural transport that meets the needs of rural people in developing countries.
This alternative approach means
focusing outside the conventional reliance on roads and motorised transport, since many
people in rural areas lack access to roads and cannot afford motorised transport. The
Forum promotes the introduction of intermediate means of transport, the expansion of
appropriate rural transport services and the improvement of local transport infrastructure
such as paths and tracks. It advocates an integrated approach to rural transport problems
that takes into account choices between making transport interventions and reducing
transport needs by upgrading services and facilities.
The work of the IFRTD is supported
by a number of donors including the Swiss Development Corporation (SDC), the International
Labour Organisation (ILO), the Norwegian Agency for International Development (NORAD), the
Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA), the Intermediate Technology
Development Group (ITDG) and the Commonwealth Foundation. DFID participates in the Forum's
Advisory Committee and is co-funding an inter-regional research programme on gender and
transport.
The Forum's activities include the
setting up of National Forum groups in several countries, publication of a newsletter,
research programmes, workshops and seminars. For further information about the Forum and
its activities, see its page on the World Wide Web, or contact:
IFRTD Secretariat
Tel: +44 (0)171 278 3670
email: ifrtd@gn.apc.org
http://www.gn.apc.org/ifrtd
DIARY
OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS
June 1997
Course: Roads and Transport in
Developing Countries
30 June - 11 July 1997, Wokingham, Berkshire, UK
Organised by: TRL
Contact: Linda Parsley, Overseas Centre, TRL.
Fax: +44 (0)1344 770719
September 1997
Seminar: Saving Lives: Policies & Programmes for Road Safety & Accident
Prevention, (ref 970740).
2-11 Sept. 1997, TRL & Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
Contact: Promotions Manager, International Seminars, The British Council (Oxford)
Tel: +44 (0)1865 316636,
Fax: +44 (0)1865 557368/516590
Course: Road Rehabilitation & Maintenance
15 Sept - 10 Oct 1997, Swaziland
Contact: Tim Newman, Crown Agents. Tel: +44 (0)181 643 3311, Fax +44 (0)181 770 0479.
October 1997
PIARC British National Congress
DFID Study Tour 28 Oct - 3 Nov 1997, UK.
Congress, 5 - 7 Nov 1997, Manchester, UK.
Contact : Colin Goodwillie, PIARC Secretariat.
Tel: +44 (0)171 921 4349, Fax: +44 (0)171 921 4505
December 1997
Training programme on Managing and Financing Rural Transport
(Sponsored by DFID and the World Bank)
1-11 December 1997, Washington DC, USA
Contact : Linda Parsley or Simon Ellis,
Overseas Centre, TRL Fax: +44 (0)1344 770719
January 1998
77th Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting
11-15 January 1998, Washington DC, USA
Contact: Angelia Summons. Tel: +1 202 334 2934, Fax: +1 202 334 2003
RURAL TRANSPORT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
The sparse population and low
incomes typical of rural areas in many developing countries often lead to difficulties in
providing and maintaining transport infrastructure.
Sub-Saharan Africa, where rural
transport problems are particularly acute is the focus of a DFID funded project into
improved transport planning methods and guidelines. The project is managed by IT
Transport, with inputs from TRL and Silsoe College, and aims to extend or adapt
traditional planning methods to become more appropriate for low-volume roads, footpaths
and tracks. It has four main components, briefly described below:
Most village transport takes place
on footpaths or tracks where simple improvements can bring significant benefits to
villages. However footpaths and tracks are not 'narrow roads' and road building techniques
cannot be transferred directly. IT Transport have carried out field investigations in
Tanzania to assess the benefits of footpath improvements. It is hoped to develop simple
guidelines on the formulation and design of projects involving path and track improvement.
Field surveys in Tanzania,
concentrating on earth roads and tracks, identified the effects of poor initial
construction standards, minimal maintenance, high rainfall levels and, in some cases,
inappropriate traffic types. Silsoe College have measured the degree of rut formation
caused by a range of vehicle tyres carrying various loads when operated on a reproducible
soil profile representing a fairly soft earth road. It is now possible to calculate a
total cost figure for each combination of vehicles and infrastructure. A computer model
has been produced and calibrated, which should assist planners in evaluating alternative
vehicle-infrastructure-maintenance regimes.
In sub-Saharan Africa, labour-based
methods are often more economic than conventional equipment-based methods for the
rehabilitation and maintenance of low volume roads. Cost comparisons are often difficult,
with much of the data being more than a decade old. An up-to-date comparison of
construction costs is being carried out by IT Transport in Ghana where comparable feeder
roads are being built using labour-based and equipment-based contractors. The aim is to
develop appraisal tools to allow rapid assessment of the relative cost-effectiveness of
these methods.
Conventional road appraisal
methodologies use road surface roughness as the main indicator of road access condition.
However, research and experience suggests that seasonal road closure is a key determinant
of overall transport costs. TRL is investigating appraisal techniques which involve
appropriate road access indicators.
For further information contact:
Gary Taylor, IT Transport,
Tel: +44 (0) 1235 833753
DFID Project Reference R6239 'Rural Transport Research Programme:
Sub-Saharan Africa'
Theme Objective T3
LOW-COST
ANIMAL CARTS
Animal traction is a well
established technology in many countries but in others it has yet to realise its enormous
potential for low cost transport. One of the main impediments to the greater use of animal
carts remains the cost and difficulty of cart manufacture. The Development Technology Unit
(DTU) at Warwick University has been working on cart design since 1990 and is now managing
a DFID funded project in Kenya and Uganda (building on work performed in Nigeria in the
early 1990s) aimed at improving animal cart design for manufacture.
The underlying themes of the DTU's
approach are accessibility and advanced simplicity using locally available materials,
local craftsmen and without the need for special tooling (ie designs which are highly
developed to be very simple, quick to build and cost-effective). Using DTU designs, cart
bodies can be built in less than one day and the complete cart in two days or less.
Quality of harnessing is crucial to
the performance of animal carts. Oxen can be acceptably harnessed using yokes, but donkeys
require something better so special sawback saddles (similar to pack saddles) are being
investigated.
Different types of axle and
bearings are also being tested as the currently used scrap automotive axles are not always
reliable or cost effective.
Although current DTU designs are
significantly cheaper and much easier to make than existing designs, there is still scope
for further cost reduction. Scrap wheels, tyres and inner tubes can be extremely expensive
overseas (sometimes approaching half the cost of new components in industrialised
countries), so wheel and tyre alternatives are being investigated as part of this project.
For further information contact: Dr
Colin Oram, Development Technology Unit, University of Warwick.
Tel: +44 (0) 1203 523135
DFID Project Reference R6475
'Low cost animal cart technology'
Theme Objective: T3
PROMOTING LOCAL MATERIALS FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION
Natural gravels are an abundant
source of road building materials but do not always meet the quality requirements for
roadbases and are frequently rejected in favour of expensive alternatives such as crushed
stone.
However, these alternatives are
often not locally available and the transportation of large quantities in heavy vehicles
is expensive and consequently large financial and environmental benefits can be achieved
if local materials can be used with confidence.
TRL is currently undertaking four
projects under the DFID funded TDR programme to promote an understanding of the
engineering properties of local materials so that they can be used effectively for road
construction. Field studies are being conducted in countries of the Southern Africa
Development Community (SADC). Collectively, the projects aim to increase awareness and
confidence in the use of different materials to encourage their application.
Unbound granular materials
The successful use of low-grade
materials largely depends upon the moisture conditions established in the road. The
project involves advanced tri-axial laboratory testing at TRL in order to examine the
behaviour of unbound granular materials under various moisture and stress regimes which
replicate conditions under the road. Results from the studies should be applicable to
other developing countries and also to Europe where the appropriate use of low-grade
materials offers similar large benefits to the construction industry. In recognition of
the wider significance of the subject, this project is co-funded by the UK Department of
Transport.
Natural gravels for road building
By studying the regionally dominant
material types, this project aims to extend the use of natural gravels in roads by
defining new limits beyond current specifications. The use of low-grade natural gravels in
developing countries is most beneficial to roads with low traffic volumes in regions of
dry climate. The project is being undertaken throughout the SADC region of southern Africa
where such conditions exist.
The studies are showing that
consideration of the road structure as a whole is needed. In order to predict the
performance of these low grade materials, many other parameters must be taken into
consideration including the road shoulder width and whether it is sealed, local topography
and drainage pattern.
Environment and road building
Many rural communities may suffer
from the adverse effects of new road construction. This project addresses the problems
associated with borrow-pits that remain along the road-line after construction materials
have been extracted. Surveys in Zimbabwe and Malawi have shown that over 80% of
borrow-pits are not reinstated correctly, which can leave agricultural land barren and
hazardous. Working with the local construction industry and soil scientists, TRL is
examining the processes required to reinstate the land in a cost effective manner that is
beneficial to the roadside communities`.
Materials database for the SADC
region
The appropriate use of natural
materials for road building relies on knowledge of the geology, distribution and
engineering properties of the most common regional material types. The project aims to
collate this information, including the application and subsequent performance of the
materials within road structures, into a materials database for the SADC region. The study
is a development of a geotechnical databank established by the Zimbabwe Department of
State Roads. The databank greatly improves engineers access to information and has led to
a substantial reduction in the intensity of field investigations needed before
construction.
For further information contact
Mick O'Connell, TRL. Email: moconnell@trl.co.uk or Tony Greening, TRL. Email: INET[Tony@trl.uz.zw]
DFID Project References: R5605 (Unbound granular materials); R6020
(Natural gravels for road building); R6021 (Environment and road building) R6022
(Materials database for the SADC region).
Theme Objective G4
1997 PIARC BRITISH NATIONAL CONGRESS : DFID STUDY TOUR
A study tour on development issues
has been organised by DFID in association with the 1997 British National Congress. The
study tour will take place in the week before the Congress and will include
- a two-day seminar/workshop on
'The needs of Developing Country Transport Research Customers', to be held at TRL,
Crowthorne. The seminar has been developed by Committee C3 and British PIARC for delegates
from developing countries, countries in transition, Committee C3 members and selected UK,
EU and World Bank delegates. (28 - 29 October 1997).
- a two day course at the
University of Birmingham on the new HDM-4 model (strategic uses). For decision makers in
developing countries, countries in transition and donor countries and aimed at senior
staff considering whether to adopt HDM-4. (30 -31 October 1997)
For further information contact
Colin Goodwillie, PIARC British National Committee Tel: +44 (0)171 921 4349, Fax: +44
(0)171 921 4505
TRAVEL BEHAVIOUR IN URBAN HOUSEHOLDS
Many cities of the developing world
have rapid population growth coupled with limited finances available for investment in
urban infrastructure which has led to severe transport and mobility constraints. These
problems are exacerbated by locating the low income community on city fringes where land
is available but employment opportunities are scarce thereby generating substantial demand
for low cost travel to workplaces and other amenities. Low income housing has frequently
developed in such areas which are inadequately served by public transport services.
Inevitably, this has an effect on the quality of life of residents in terms of
accessibility to employment and amenities essential for sustainable economic and social
development.
In 1994 British Aid funded the TRL
to undertake a three year research programme to investigate the influence of household
income and gender on travel behaviour. The results from India and Ghana suggest that women
are more dependant than men on public transport services and walking and hence, are most
affected by inadequate public transport provision. Even when personal vehicles are
available in a household, cultural traditions appear to constrain the use of such vehicles
by women though attitudes are changing.
The results of the study provide
policy makers with an improved understanding of urban travel behaviour and constraints and
will enable the formulation of better transport developmental projects in the future. This
should lead to improved mobility and accessibility to the entire transport network for low
income households and particularly women in the developing world.
For further information contact
Dave Maunder, Overseas Centre, TRL
Email: dmaunder@trl.co.uk
DFID Project Reference R6019:
'Planning for women and transport'
Theme Objective T3
SPANISH VERSION OF TRL SAFETY MANUAL LAUNCHED IN CHILE
The Chilean National Commission for
Road Safety held the launch of the Spanish version of the TRL guide 'Towards safer roads
in developing countries' in Santiago last November. The guide was first published by the
TRL in 1991 in conjunction with Ross Silcock funded under the British Aid programme. The
translation and production of the Spanish version was funded by the Chilean National
Commission for Road Safety.
The guide draws together over 20
years of experience and practice in developing countries by UK researchers and
consultants. The manual has proved to be highly successful and over 7000 copies of the
English version have been distributed to more than 130 countries. It has been adopted by
the World Bank as a road safety reference for highway projects.
The Spanish version is not yet
widely available having been published for specific use in Chile. International funding is
now being sought to enable further printing and distribution throughout Latin America. For
further information contact Brian Hills, TRL, email: bhills@trl.co.uk
ROSS SILCOCK WINS MAJOR AWARD FOR ROAD SAFETY WORK
Specialist road safety consultants
Ross Silcock, who have recently completed with TRL a study funded under the British Aid
programme into the socio-economic costs of accidents in developing countries and who
worked closely with TRL to produce the highly acclaimed manual 'Towards safer roads in
developing countries', have been awarded one of the highest accolades in British
consultancy, namely 'Consultancy Firm of the Year (small firms) 1996'.
This prestigious award, presented
annually by the British Consultancy Bureau was presented to Ross Silcock for the
excellence of its road safety work in Fiji and for 'outstanding contributions to the
country worked in and to British export earnings'.
Ross Silcock, one of TRL's closest
collaborators in road safety projects, have provided advice on road safety in over 25
countries around the world.
For further information contact Dr
Alan Ross,
Ross Silcock Ltd, Tel: +44 (0) 191 261 8101
email: 101776.3126@compuserve.com
RURAL TRANSPORT TRAINING PROGRAMME
A training programme on Managing
and Financing Rural Transport is being organised by the TRL in Washington DC, USA in
December this year, supported by both the World Bank and the Department for International
Development (DFID, formerly ODA). Aimed at senior officials from government ministries and
road agencies, the programme is intended to disseminate relevant information on
sustainable solutions to the management, planning and financing of RURAL infrastructure
and transport services, taking environmental implications into account.
The aim is to encourage the sharing
of experience between participants as well as between participants and speakers through
discussions and plenary sessions. Presenters will include transport professionals and
international experts.
The programme will cover both
infrastructure and services and include financing and resource mobilisation, designated
and undesignated roads, the off-road transport burden, institutions, planning and
implementation, environmental issues and mitigation plans.
For further information contact
Linda Parsley or Simon Ellis, Overseas Centre, TRL. Tel: +44 (0) 1344 770551/770552.
E-mail lparsley@trl.co.uk or sellis@trl.co.uk
CURRENT TDT PROJECTS SPONSORED BY DFID
Key:
* New Projects (including description)
# Existing Projects (see previous newsletters for descriptions)
THEME T1
* Accident recording, investigation and evaluation systems
(R6883) TRL: Mr C J Baguley
UK support and in country training provided for existing and new users of MAAP for
sustainability in the least advanced countries. Training to develop accident investigation
skills. Under reporting to be investigated using hospital records.
* Safety and road worthiness:
assessing urban and rural public transport (R6888) TRL: Mr T C Pearce
Assess the scale of the problem resulting from accidents and the effect of varying
maintenance practices on bus fleets' roadworthiness. Role of vehicle usage and design in
bus
accidents will be studied and recommendations developed for safer travel.
* Road safety education in
developing country schools and
communities (R6890) TRL: Mr I Sayer
Development of road safety education materials and teaching methods that bring about
improved road safety knowledge and attitudes by young road users in schools and community
groups in developing countries.
* Cost and safety design of rural
roads in developing
countries (R6891) TRL: Mr C J Baguley.
Aspects of rural highway design identified that optimise costs and safety; detailed design
manual drafted; lookup tables relevant to models such as HDM generated. Manual published
and in country seminars conducted.
# Road safety development and
evaluation of engineering
countermeasures (R5614) TRL: Mr C J Baguley
# Accident data collection and
analysis: sub-Saharan Africa
(R6028) TRL: Mr R Gorrell
# Road safety development and
evaluation of educational
programmes (R6029) TRL: Mr I A Sayer
# Pedestrian accidents/
vulnerability in developing
countries (R6236) WS Atkins International: Dr F Kamali
THEME T2
* Low cost structures for rural roads: A field manual(R6851)
Loughborough University: Mr D W J Miles
Preparation of a practical field manual to encourage local engineers and contractors to
utilise local labour, skills and materials more effectively in the construction of low
cost and readily maintainable structures on rural and urban roads.
* Improved vehicle maintenance cost
relationships (R6885)
TRL: Mr J L Hine
Fundamentally new vehicle maintenance cost relationships will be developed for use in the
road investment model HDM4. These relationships will enhance the applicability and
transfer of the model for world wide use.
* Promoting the use of lower cost
marginal materials
(R6887) TRL: Mr M J O'Connell
Guidelines promoting the use of low cost marginal materials in the road industry. Using
existing research where possible these will identify suitable applications for the use of
such materials and warn of the associated risks.
* Transferring road maintenance
into the private sector
(R6889) TRL: Mr C C Parkman
Critical assessment of the extent and nature of the adoption of contract road maintenance
procedures and the factors governing the successful transfer of road maintenance into the
private sector, to inform agency policy.
* Secondary compaction of
bituminous materials (R6892)
TRL: Mr H R Smith
Develop a method of assessing the susceptibility of bituminous mixes to secondary
compaction under heavy traffic for use in the design of road surfacings which are more
durable and resistant to plastic deformation.
* Benefits of structured highway
and earthwork
maintenance (R6893) TRL: Mr W Heath
Assess the benefit of applying maintenance programmes based on a number of identified key
factors that at present contribute to the poor maintenance of mountainous roads. Full
scale trials will be monitored using TRL's ECAT techniques. Guidelines will be produced.
* Road planning, funding and funds
allocation (R6894)
TRL: Mr J L Hine
Identify the main constraints preventing the efficient planning and funding of the road
network, in particular procedural conflicts and institutional limitations. Innovative
funding and management methods eg, DBFO and BOT will be explored.
* Management guidelines and
performance models for
unpaved roads (R6895) TRL: Mr T Toole
Provide management guidelines on unpaved roads and motorable tracks for use by senior
engineers and planners and new road performance models for incorporation into HDM4 aimed
at improved access quality on rural roads and increased use of local resources.
* Innovative compaction technology
for low volume roads
(R6896) TRL: Mr P A K Greening
Development of methods to improve compaction and performance of materials for low-volume,
low-cost and labour based sealed roads.
* Dense bituminous surfacing for
developing countries: A
guide (R6897) TRL: Mr C R Jones
Produce a guide describing the design and construction of dense bituminous surfacings in
tropical climates. It will be targeted at engineers in the developing world and enable
them to supervise the construction of improved surfacings.
* Guidelines on the selection and
use of road construction
materials (R6898) TRL: Mr M J O'Connell
Production and dissemination of a new Overseas Road Note containing concise but
comprehensive advice on the sampling and testing of granular materials and soils for the
construction and rehabilitation of roads in the developing world.
* Promoting the use of volcanic
ash, a natural pozzolan
(R6841) TRL: Mr M J O'Connell
Use of volcanic ash for the construction of major civil engineering works to alleviate the
damage caused by recent volcanic eruptions, develop road and building technology and
promote commercial ventures.
* Appropriate and efficient
maintenance of rural feeder
roads (R6852) Roughton International: Mr M J Carr
An assessment and maintenance method will be developed for gravel rural feeder roads using
simple, affordable, yet novel techniques. The result will promote appropriate technology
and practice so maximising efficiency.
# Transport planning road
investment modelling (R5591)
TRL: Mr J L Hine
# Unpaved roads (R5599) TRL: Mr T
Toole
# PC concrete pavements (R5602)
TRL: Mr J Parry
# Rehabilitation design (R5610)
TRL: Mr H R Smith
# Bituminous materials - their
improvement and use for road building (R5612) TRL: Mr H R Smith
# Rehabilitation of roads with
bituminous surfacings (R6023) TRL: Mr C R Jones
# Environmental impact of road
construction (R6026) TRL: Mr C J Lawrance
# The design of stabilised
sub-bases for very heavy traffic(R6027) TRL: Mr M J O'Connell
# Management of appropriate road
technology (R6238)Loughborough University: Mr D W J Miles
# International study - highway
development and management tools (R6472) University of Birmingham: Dr H Kerali
# Longer life road surfacing using
bitumen modifiers
(R6473) TRL: Mr H R Smith
# Recycling of bituminous road
materials (R6474)
TRL: Mr H R Smith
THEME T3
* Gender issues in rural transport (R6854) IFRTD:
Ms P Fernando
Through analysis of the impact of a range of interventions aims at developing practical
guidelines for the incorporation of gender concerns into the planning, design and
implementation of rural transport interventions.
* Rural transport services in
sub-Saharan Africa enhancing
the role of small and medium enterprises (R6882)
Cranfield University: Dr C P Crossley
Enhance the contribution made by informal small industrial enterprises to the efficient
provision of rural transport services that are vital to the economies of developing
countries by identifying and reducing some key restraints.
* Availability of rural transport
services (R6884)
TRL: Mr S D Ellis
Identify factors that inhibit the supply of rural transport
services. Also investigate the sensitivity of demand to changes in the price of transport.
The findings will enhance the capability of planners to improve the provision of rural
transport services.
* Barriers to the availability of
cost-effective transport
(R6886) TRL: Mr G Gardner
Provide a methodology for an Urban Transport Audit to rapidly assess a city's ability to
introduce cost-effective transport systems. Determine where blockages are occurring that
prevent the use of low cost appropriate traffic and safety measures.
* Low-cost motorised ambulance
service for rural communities (R6895) IT Transport: Mr I Barwell
To evaluate the viability of motorcycle-based ambulance services for rural communities and
if found viable, to develop guidelines for setting up and operating the services.
# Rural transport research
programmes in sub-Saharan Africa (R6239) IT Transport: Mr G A Taylor
# Low cost animal cart technology
(R6475) University of Warwick: Dr C E Oram
# Community participation in road
maintenance (R6476)IT Transport: Mr G A Taylor
# The establishment of small scale road transport contractors (R6477) Intech Associates:
Mr W William
THEME T4
* Increasing the efficiency of the road freight transport
sector (R6883) PTRC Education and Research Services:
Ms A Fine
To improve the Egyptian road freight sector. Identification of management best practices
will be grouped into policy programmes with the aim of increasing the efficiency of this
sector.
# Road network management (R6024)
TRL: Mr T Toole
# Reducing the cost of freight in
Africa (R6240)
Mott MacDonald: Mr R Mansfield / M Mallwork
THEME E3
# Development of environmental impacts and energy
balance models for HDM4 (R6486)
University of Birmingham: Dr H Kerali
THEME G1
# Environment and roadbuilding (R6021)
TRL: Mr P A K Greening
THEME G4
# Unbound granular materials (R5605)
TRL: Mr M J O'Connell
# Natural gravels for road building
(R6020)
TRL: Mr P A K Greening
# Materials database for the SADC
region of Southern Africa
(R6022) TRL: Mr P A K Greening
# Manual of concrete design using
local materials (R6235)
Gifford & Partners: Dr G P Tilly
THEME U2
# Urban mass transit (R5596) TRL: Mr G Gardner
# Traffic database and audit (R6017) TRL: Mr P Fouracre
NEW
TRL OVERSEAS ROAD NOTES
ORN 14 - Hydrological design manual
for slope stability in the tropics.
Most slope failures in tropical
soils are triggered by local rainfall leading to changes in the soil-water conditions. The
objective of this manual is to provide advice on how to determine if these conditions are
critical and if so how to measure them. The predictions of stability are based on a
combined slope hydrology/ stability model developed at Bristol University through British
Aid funded research. The results have been tested under field conditions and integrated
with existing practice.
The main part of the manual
consists of a series of ÔInstructions', which are procedures to expand site
investigations. These introduce new slope stability design charts, the use of the
dimensionless resistance envelope and the measurement of permeability and suction together
with factors affecting the use of piezometers. The manual concludes with a section on data
collection.
DFID Project Reference R506:
'Terrain surveys and site investigation'
Theme Objective G5
ORN 16 - Principles of low cost
road engineering in mountainous regions, with special reference to the Nepal Himalaya
The results of more than twenty
years of research and practical experience of road construction and maintenance in
mountainous regions are brought together in this publication. TRL has collaborated with
consultants Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick to combine experience in overcoming the special
engineering problems presented by an unstable, ever-changing mountainous environment, such
as Nepal, 'Low cost' design philosophy implies some relaxation of road standard and normal
design procedures. Occasional damage to the road must be expected, so the desire for a
high road standard needs to be balanced against the costs of reinstatement. Design must be
related to the landscape; aspects such as identifying the most stable route (relatively
speaking!) and preserving natural drainage systems are vital.
ORN 16 concentrates on the
principles behind design decisions and procedures demanded by the rigours of a mountainous
environment. Emphasis is placed upon the risks associated with inappropriate design or
poor construction practice, and upon techniques or procedures that are effective and safe.
Nepal experiences natural disasters regularly and is a good proving ground for the
techniques described. However, the principles are applicable in any unstable landscape.
DFID Project Reference R6026
'Environmental impact of road construction'
Theme Objective T2
BOOK REVIEWS
Health at the Crossroads -
Transport Policy and Urban Health
Editors: T Fletcher & A J McMichael
Published by J Wiley & Sons, 1997
The title of the book was chosen to imply that the future direction of transport policy
should be influenced by increasing health concerns and that a choice needs to be made
about the levels of transport-related health problems that can be tolerated.
Aimed at public health care
professionals, health researchers, transport policy makers and members of local and
national governments, it contains a summary of papers presented at the Fifth Annual Public
Health Forum held in April 1995 at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
There are five main sections: pollution and health, traffic and injury, wider public
health, city case studies and transport policies.
The British Aid programme
co-sponsored the forum and the Rt Hon. the Baroness Chalker of Wallasey, provides a
foreword to the publication in which she identifies the key areas where transport policy
impacts on urban health. This issue is one of the subject areas which will be kept under
constant review by the Department's, newly formed `Urban Development Focus Group'.
Reviewed by Goff Jacobs, TRL
Bio-engineering for effective road
maintenance in the Caribbean (LR 11).by J Clark and J Hellin. Published by Natural
Resources Institute (NRI), 1996
Produced by NRI and funded under
the British Aid programme the purpose of this handbook is to initiate and stimulate the
development of routine bio-engineering activities which can help engineers to improve the
effectiveness of their work in the road sector. In addition, many of the principles set
out in this manual can be applied to other sectors where exposed soils and slopes need to
be protected.
This concise handbook focuses on
eleven plant species found in the Caribbean region. There are four main sections. The
first describes the species and their bio-engineering uses. The second shows how the
plants can be incorporated into seven bio-engineering techniques for protecting slopes and
gullies. The third describes propagation and nursery care and the fourth outlines case
studies on Caribbean road projects where bio-engineering has been used. The layout and
instructions in the handbook are very clear and well-presented.
Reviewed by Cliff Lawrence, TRL
Financing Road Maintenance:- a
study of organisational and financial conditions for securing road assets in developing
countries by Dr G Metschies. Published by GTZ, 1996.
Concentrating on the well reported road maintenance crisis of sub-Saharan Africa,
Financing Road Maintenance presents ideas for policy makers on how best to secure and
disburse road finance. Prepared by the German Agency for Technical Co-operation (GTZ), the
report includes extensive case studies from West and Central Africa and also draws heavily
on recent initiatives in road management by the World Bank.
The report identifies the need for
an effective organisational structure and promotes the use of an independent Roads
Authority. It also suggests how finance should be secured and properly managed, describing
how a Road Conservation Fund might be set up and funded, with particular focus on
appropriate levels for fuel levies.
The report argues that the
transport sector as a whole should be treated as a taxed economic sector, rather than as a
subsidised social service. At times the translation is difficult to follow, but the ideas
will be of interest to those responsible for road policy in the developing world.
Reviewed by Chris Parkman, TRL
RECENT
PUBLICATIONS
BOOKS
ANDERSON, C A, A BEUSCH and D MILES (1996). Road maintenance and regravelling (ROMAR)
using labour-based methods. Handbook 314pp and Workbook 143pp. Published by IT
Publications Ltd, London. Handbook
ISBN 1-85339-348-7 (£12.95) and Workbook
ISBN 1-85339-349-5 (£9.95) (IT Publications Ltd)
ANDERSON, C A, D MILES, and others.
Improve Your Construction Business series (IYCB). Published by International Labour
Office, London.
IYCB-1 Pricing and Bidding (1994).
Handbook 97pp and Workbook 101pp (£14.85) (ILO)
IYCB-2: Site Management (1996).
Handbook 102pp and Workbook.148pp (£14.85) (ILO)
ICYB-3: Business Management (1996).
Handbook 111pp and Workbook 127pp (£14.85) (ILO)
CLARK, J and J HELLIN (1996).
Bio-engineering for effective road maintenance in the Caribbean.
(Ref. LR 11). 121pp. Published by Natural Resources Institute, Chatham, UK.
ISBN 0-85954-453-2 (£10, but free to organisations in countries eligible to receive
British Government Aid) (NRI)
FLETCHER, T and A J McMICHAEL
(1997). Health at the Crossroads - Transport Policy and Urban Health. 340pp. Published by
J Wiley & Sons Ltd.
ISBN 0-471-96272-4 (£35) (J Wiley Ltd)
METSCHIES, G and E RAUSCH (1996).
Financing Road Maintenance - a study of organisational and financial conditions for
securing road assets in developing countries. 270pp. Distributed by GTZ, Germany. (no
charge) (GTZ)
UNIFEM (1996). Rural Transport:
Energy & environment technology source book. 80pp.
Published by IT Publications Ltd, London.
ISBN 1-85339-345-2 (£7.95) (IT Publications Ltd)
REPORTS
ORN 14
TRL (1997). Hydrological design manual for slope stability in the Tropics. TRL Overseas
Road Note 14. (£10*) (TRL)
ORN 16
TRL (1997). Principles of low cost road engineering in mountainous regions. TRL Overseas
Road Note 16. (£15*) (TRL)
TRL 247
GHEE, C, D SILCOCK, A ASTROP and G D JACOBS (1997). Socio-economic aspects of road
accidents in developing countries. TRL Report 247. (£10*) (TRL)
TRL 256
CUNDILL, M A, J L HINE and P A K GREENING (1997). The cost of maintaining and repairing
vehicles in developing countries. TRL Report 256. (£10*) (TRL)
TRL 259
ELLIS, S (1997). Key issues in rural transport in developing countries. TRL Report 259.
(£10*) (TRL)
TRL 263
PALMER, C, A ASTROP and D MAUNDER (1997). Constraints, attitudes and travel behaviour of
low income households in two developing cities. TRL Report 263. (£10*) (TRL)
PAPERS
ASTROP, A, C J PALMER, D MAUNDER and M BABU (1996). The urban travel behaviour of low
income households and females in Pune, India. National Conference on Women's Travel
Issues, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, 23-26 October 1996, (PA3206/96) (TRL)
GORELL, R S J (1997) Accident
collection and analysis: The use of MAAP in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa. 3rd African
Road Safety Congress, Pretoria, 14-17 April 1997.
(PA3230/97) (TRL)
HEATH, W and B McKINNON (1996).
Highway earthwork management: A need for strategies to control slope problems. Highways
into the next Century Conference, Kowloon, Hong-Kong, 24-26 November 1996. (PA3145/96)
(TRL)
JACOBS, G D, and C J PALMER (1996).
Road
safety in the emerging nations. Intertraffic Middle East Ô96 Safety Symposium, Dubai,
24-25 November 1996. (PA3202/96) (TRL)
MAUNDER, D, C J PALMER, A ASTROP
and
M BABU (1997). Attitudes and travel behaviour of residents in Pune, India. Transportation
Research Board, 76th Annual Meeting, Washington D.C.,
12-17 January 1997. (PA3216/97) (TRL)
PALMER, C J, A ASTROP, M BABU and D MAUNDER (1996). The travel behaviour of households in
Pune, India. International Symposium on Infrastructure of the Future, Bangalore, India,
25-29 November 1996. (PA3207/96) (TRL)
RUTTER J C, G GARDNER, D MAUNDER
and T PEARCE (1997). Public transport and car use in developing cities: energy and
environmental issues. Indian Journal of Transport Management, February 1997. (PA3224/97)
(TRL)
SAYER, I A and C J PALMER (1997).
Pedestrian accidents and road safety education in selected developing countries. 3rd
African Road Safety Congress, Pretoria, 14-17 April 1997.
(PA3229/97) (TRL)
NEWSLETTER
EDITORS
Transport
Linda Parsley, Overseas Centre, Transport Research Laboratory, Old Wokingham Road,
Crowthorne, Berks
RG45 6AU, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)1344 770551 Fax: +44 (0)1344 770719
Email: lparsley@trl.co.uk
Earthworks
Dr John Bennett, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)115 936 3465 Fax: +44 (0)115 936 3474
Email: j.d.bennett@bgs.ac.uk
Energy Efficiency
Dr Andrew Gilchrist, ETSU, Harwell, Oxon OX11 ORA, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)1235 433589 Fax: +44 (0)1235 433727
Email: andy.gilchrist@aeat.co.uk
Urbanisation
Dr Andrew Cotton, Water, Engineering and Development Centre, Loughborough University,
Leicestershire LE11 3TU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1509 222885 Fax: +44 (0)1509 211079
Email: wedc@lut.ac.uk
Water
Geoff Pearce, Overseas Development Unit, HR Wallingford, Howbery Park, Wallingford, Oxon
OX10 8BA, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)1491 835381 Fax: +44 (0)1491 826352
Email: odunit@hrwallingford.co.uk
CONTACT
ADDRESSES
The British Council (Oxford), 1
Beaumont Place, Oxford OX1 2PJ. UK. Fax: +44 (0)1865 557368/516590
Cranfield University (Silsoe
College), Silsoe, Bedfordshire MK45 4DT, UK. Fax: +44 (0)1525 863001
DFID, 94 Victoria Street, London
W1E 5JL, UK.
Fax: +44 (0)171 917 0072
Development Technology Unit (DTU),
Engineering Dept, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK. Fax +44 (0)1203 418922
GTZ, Energy and Transport Division,
PO Box 5180, D-65726 Eschborn, Germany.
Fax: +49 6196 79 1115
IFRTD New Premier House, 150
Southampton Row, London WC1B 5AL, UK. Fax: +44 (0)171 278 6880
Institute of Development Engineering, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU,
UK.
Fax: +44 (0)1509 211079
International Labour Office (ILO),
CH-1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland or Vincent House, Vincent Square, London SW1P 2NB, UK. Fax
+44 (0)171 233 5925
IT Publications Ltd, 103-105
Southampton Row, London WC1B 4HH, UK. Fax: +44 (0)171 436 2013
IT Transport Ltd, The Old Power
Station, Ardington, Nr. Wantage, Oxon OX12 8QJ, UK.
Fax: +44 (0)1235 832186
Natural Resources Institute (NRI),
Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)1634 880088
Ross Silcock Ltd, Old Brewery
Court, 156 Sandyford Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1XG, UK.
Fax: +44 (0)191 261 8340
Transport Research Laboratory, Old
Wokingham Road, Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 6AU, UK.
Fax: +44 (0)1344 770719
J Wiley and Sons Ltd, Baffins Lane,
Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1UD, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1243 779777
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