Improved paths and tracks: Part 1
Practical Action
might be:
1. Hold local consultations on perceived problems with the existing path.
2. Obtain maps or make sketch maps of the existing path, and carry out technical inventory
survey.
3. Carry out a traffic survey in heavy use situations.
4. Estimate quantities, resources, and costs for each section of improvement work required
and decide on priorities.
5. Organize materials, tools, and labour.
6. Implement the improvement works following the construction sequence given above.
7. Establish, in consultation with the community, a maintenance system.
References and further reading
Improving Paths and Tracks Part 2 Practical Action Technical Brief,
Improving Paths and Tracks Part 3 Practical Action Technical Brief,
Dry Stone Causeways Practical Action Technical Brief,
Rural Transport Services Beenhakker, H., with S. Carapetis and others, IT Publishing,
1989.
Roads are not Enough, Dawson, Jonathan and Ian Barwell Practical Action Publishing,1993.
Earth Roads: Their construction and maintenance, Hindson, J., revised by J. Howe and G.
Hathway, Practical Action Publshing, 1983.
Low-cost Vehicles: Options for moving people and goods, Gordon Hathway. Practical Action
Publishing, 1985.
Low-cost Load-carrying Devices: The design and manufacture of some basic transport
technologies, Ron Dennis, Practical Action Publishing,1995.
Labour-based Road Construction: A state of the art review, Paul Larcher (Ed.), Practical Action
Publishing, 1998
Road Maintenance and Regravelling (ROMAR) Using Labour-Based Methods: Handbook,
Claes-Axel Andersson et al, Practical Action Publishing, 1996,
Footpaths and Tracks: A field manual for their construction and improvement, Ron Dennis et
al, I.T. Transport Ltd., March 2002,
Upland Pathwork Construction Standards for Scotland, Upland Path Advisory Group,
Useful addresses
IT Transport Ltd.
The Old Power Station
Ardington, Nr Wantage
Oxon
OX12 8QJ
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1235 833753 / 821366
Fax: +44 (0)1235 833753 / 821366
E-mail: itt@ittransport.co.uk
Website: http://www.ittransport.co.uk/
Consultants in transport for rural development.
International Forum for Rural Transport and Development (IFRTD)
2 Spitfire Studios
67-73 Collier Street
London N1 9BE
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7713 6699
Fax: +44 (0)20 7713 8290
E-mail: ifrtd@ifrtd.org
Website: http://www.ifrtd.org
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