Development of a Rural Road Note (RRN) on Pavement Design Methods for Low Volume Rural Roads

The development of a Rural Road Note (RRN) on pavement design methods for LVRs is being undertaken by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL). The project was launched on the 15th May 2019 and is scheduled to be completed by 30th May 2020.

The main aim of the project is to develop a concise RRN on pavement design methods for low volume rural roads. This will draw on the strength of the low volume roads manuals that have been developed for a number of ReCAP partner countries. It will also draw on a number of other manuals and design documents, such as Overseas Road Note 31 (ORN31), Design Manual for Low Volume Sealed Roads Using DCP-DN for Malawi, and the Technical Recommendation for Highways 14 (TRH 4). Research studies, especially those conducted under ReCAP, will also be used in the development of the RRN. The guideline will assist practitioners in providing the most economic solutions to the provision of low volume roads on a case by case basis.

The project is guided by a Stakeholder Working Group (SWG), comprising eight members, to assist with development of the RRN. The main duties of the SWG are to provide technical advice and recommendations for appropriate structure, layout and content of the RRN, propose any documents that may contribute to the development of the RRN, review the draft RRN, attend review meetings, and assist in resolving any technical matters.

The project will be delivered in two phases. Phase 1 involved mainly scoping of the RRN. This was completed in December 2019. Phase 2, which is currently underway, will focus on the development of the RRN. The following tasks are envisaged across the two phases of the project:

Phase 1

  1. Project Launch Meeting
  2. Constitution of the SWG and development of their terms of reference
  3. Desk study
  4. Preparation of the Inception Report
  5. Review of existing similar manuals, documents and research outputs
  6. Scoping of the RRN and preparation of the Draft Scoping Report
  7. Review of the RRN Draft Scoping Report by the PMU and SWG
  8. Preparation of the Final Scoping Report
  9. Preparation of the Uptake and Embedment Plan

Phase 2

  1. Implementation of the Uptake and Embedment Plan
  2. Preparation of the Draft RRN
  3. Review of the Draft RRN by the PMU and SWG
  4. Preparation of the Final print-ready RRN
  5. Launch of the RRN
  6. Preparation of the Final Project Report.

As at January 2020, the first draft of the RRN has been prepared and is undergoing review by the eight SWG members and the ReCAP Technical Panel. The final RRN will be ready by May 2020, printed and distributed to partner countries. A soft copy will be available for download once completed.  Further information on the project can be obtained from the following: Andrew Otto aotto@trl.co.uk and Nkululeko Leta nkululeko.leta@cardno.com.