Improved paths and tracks: Part 1
Practical Action
For paths in side-sloping ground the construction sequence is similar - only the ditch details
are different. Material for forming the crossfall is won from the ditch excavation or from
trimming back the uphill side-cut face.
Hand-tools
The hand-tools required for the majority of path and track improvements are:-
Hoe
Axe
A
A
Place pegs on centreline of path
(every 5 – 10 metres)
Pick axe
Machete
Shovel
Sledge-hammer
Slasher
Rake
Wheelbarrow (if appropriate)
Step 1 – Setting out
BB
Step 2 – Excavate to level
Place two pegs at the back of the
ditch (distance A depends on the
required width of the path and
ditch.
Excavate and fill between the two
outer pegs to produce a level
“bench”
Place two new pegs at the edge
of the path (distance B is half the
required width of the path)
The items in this list should
be modified where
appropriate to include tools
that are both available locally
Excavate the ditches throwing the
excavated material to the centre.
Spread the excavated material to
form the camber.
Use wooden templates cut to the
and familiar to those who will
carry out the work. The extra
cost of buying the best
Step 3 – Form camber
correct size to check and control
the ditch shape and the path
camber.
available quality of hand tools
is invariably recouped
Figure 5: Construction sequence
through higher productivity
and longer tool life, and is therefore strongly
recommended.
2 shovels full
Bucket (2 gallon)
= 1 bucket (2 gallon)
= 0.01 cubic metres
Wheelbarrow
= 0.04 cubic metres
Organization of the works
For the job to be carried out quickly and
efficiently, path and track improvement works
1 cubic metre
level
= 0.07 cubic metres
piled up
= 25 wheelbarrows
need careful planning and organization. The work
level
gang needs to be large enough to be able to
make significant progress each day, but not so
= 14 wheelbarrows
piled up
large that individuals get in each other's way. The
key steps are:
Figure 6: Some useful measures
1. Decide on the work to be carried out.
2. Calculate the quantities of excavation,
surfacing material, etc. required.
3. Ensure that the necessary materials and
tools are on the site.
4. Calculate the size of work gang required
for each activity.
5. Plan the sequence of activities.
6. Assign tasks to individuals or teams,
preferably on a daily basis and clearly mark
out the work to be done.
To assist in carrying out these steps, some
useful measures are given in Figure 6, and
some typical productivities are given in
Figure 7.
A typical sequence of activities for carrying
out the improvement of a path or track
Activity
Quantity per
person per day*
Clear grass and small bushes
25 m2
Excavate soil/Gravel
Soft
Hard
Excavate rock
4-6 m3
2-4m3
0.5-2m3
Haul and unload soil by wheelbarrows
100 meters haul
200 meters haul
Spread fill material
Dry stone masonry
Lay stone pitching
5m3
3m3
7m3
1m3
1m3
*Based on six hours work per day
Figure 7: Typical productivities
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