Citation

Conrad PE, Schoon JG. Transp. Res. Rec. 1979; 702: 222-228.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1979, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The rural road system in The Gambia, West Africa, comprises over 2300 kilometers of paved, gravel, and earth roads. These connect rural communities with each other, to riverside staging points, to the larger towns and cities, and to produce storage and transshipment depots. The role of the road system is considered in regard to these functions and as related to needs for future rural development consistent with national goals and objectives. Data based upon recent studies in The Gambia are presented, particularly those which address future agricultural development potentials and road integration with river linkages. The categories of primary, secondary and principal feeder roads are examined from the viewpoint of current function, traffic, and existing deficiencies. Future highway needs based upon optimum use of the River Gambia and the road network for transporting a variety of import and export commodities are described and a tentative road investment program is proposed. Guidelines are then outlined to assist in the geometric and structural design of future highways in The Gambia and a review is made of material types and availability for future use.