Where to Seek Financial, Economic and Green House Gas Efficiencies, and Social Benefits for Durable and Sustainable Rural Transport Provision in Developing and Emerging Regions?

The paper explores various aspects of the Rural Road sector in developing and emerging economy nations. It focuses on the potential for improving asset management practices and further developing the currently embryonic road transport networks to achieve durable infrastructure and sustainable mobility while minimising Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and environmental impacts. The approach is to reference accepted good practice and experience, and identify common existing shortcomings from observed deficiencies and capability in procedures and implementation. No attempt is made to quantify or prioritise the relative importance of the various issues. However the outline assessment indicates where further detailed research and analysis could help realise significant efficiency gains for the sector and benefits to rural communities. Consideration is given to common features of the sector; including lack of universal access, underdeveloped networks, low investment and poor network conditions. Generally poor asset management practices fail to deliver good investment returns; from policy through to delivery and aftercare; denying access, social and economic development for rural communities. Substantial improvements would be achievable through better, pro-active and pragmatic management of the various sector facets including; policy and strategy, planning, resource mobilisation, operational framework, technology options, socio-economic engagement and cross-sector cooperation, to develop and implement locally-relevant good practice guidelines, mobilising sector stakeholders and communities to achieve environmental compatibility and resilience.