The UK’s Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) will study low-volume road improvements in Ethiopia and Mozambique under two new contracts, as part of the African Community Access Programme.

In Ethiopia, the TRL will develop and demonstrate revised pavement design standards and specifications for low-volume roads.

The results will be compiled in a manual for the planning, design, construction and maintenance for such roads in the country, encouraging local resources use and cost-effective measures.

Work, which will also look to improve natural gravel materials, low-cost bituminous seals and dressed-stone paving, will be carried out over the next three and a half years.

In Mozambique, TRL will provide technical designs, training of Road Authority staff and consultants as well as monitoring the country’s low-volume roads to prevent easy erosion of pavements, particularly over swampy soils and areas prone to flooding.

The Mozambique work is a second phase project following earlier technical support on low-volume roads, and will be carried out over the next three years.