Page 103 - RoadCem Manual - PCT BV

5.The RoadCem method
My country was never so rich that it could afford poor roads
5.1 Introduction 5.1 1 General
The successful provision of roads, in developing countries especially, requires ingenuity, imagination and innovation. It entails “working with nature” and using locally available, non standard materials and other resources in an optimal and environmentally sustainable manner. It will rely on planning, design, construction and maintenance techniques that maximize the involvement of local communities and contractors. When properly engineered, such roads will reduce transport costs and through its impact on people, economy and commerce facilitate socio-economic growth and development.
The majority of rural roads and a significant proportion of the main roads in many countries are currently unsurfaced and are relatively lightly trafficked. For these roads the following points of attention need to be considered:
• Roads impact significantly on the livelihoods of the majority of the population of many countries.
• Roads are central to sustained socio-economic growth and development of the country and are a key component of development programs targeted by donors and governments.
• Unfortunately, the poor condition of roads, which can be largely attributed to the way in which they have customarily been provided and maintained, has acted as a brake on economic development.
• New, more appropriate approaches to the provision of roads are now required. If the world is to improve road transport efficiency and attain its broader goals of socio-economic growth and development.
The traditional methods of road provision are inappropriate in a modern world for a number of reasons:
• Traditional approaches to the provision of roads have stemmed from technology and research carried out in Europe and the USA over 50 years ago in very different socio economic environments that existed at the time.
• Locally prevailing circumstances are usually very different in terms of climate, traffic, materials and road users as are the current socio economic conditions in the world. It is therefore not surprising that many of the traditional approaches, designs and technologies are inappropriate for application in today’s world.
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