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PIARC (World Road Association), founded in 1909 and comprising 125 member governments from all over the world, is the global forum for exchange of knowledge and experience on roads, road transport policies and practices. With consultative status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, the Association is contributing to a stable and sustainable global development of the road and transport sector.

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Road Maintenance Handbook - Practical Guidelines for Rural Road Maintenance

This is the second edition --revised, updated and complemented-- of a Road Maintenance Handbook that was first published in 1982 under the auspices of the UN Economic Commission for Africa by Germany, France and the United Kingdom.

It is designed for works foremen and is also very useful for engineers and trainers. Special emphasis is laid on intensive labour roadworks and on safety on maintenance job sites in particular.

The Handbook is richly illustrated and therefore easy to understand. It is also methodical and educational. Although it was first designed for sub-Saharan Africa, it can be used in a large number of countries, except in those with harsh winter conditions. The basic version was drafted in English and includes four colour volumes:

I- Maintenance of roadside areas and drainage (330 pages)
II- Maintenance of unpaved roads (338 pages)
III- Maintenance of paved roads (280 pages)
IV- Maintenance of structures and traffic control devices (172 pages).

The Handbook is published in several languages by several PIARC member countries which distribute it free of charge to developing countries.

In addition to the English version, versions in Spanish, French, Khmer and Portuguese are available.

A version in Arabic is scheduled.

English version
Price of the four volumes: 40 GBP
TRL Old Wokingham Road Berkshire RG45 6AU - Royaume-Uni
Tel +44 1344 770 146 - Fax +44 1344 770 193
E-mail sgroombridge@trl.co.uk - Internet http://www.trl.co.uk

Spanish version


Price of the four volumes: 53 EUR


PIARC Spanish National Committee


Asociacion Técnica de Carreteras


Calle de Monte Esquinza,


24 28010 MADRID Espagne


Tel +34 (91) 308 23 18 - Fax +34 (91) 308 23 19

Portuguese version (1)
Price of the four volumes: 70 USD
PIARC Portuguese National Committee
Praça da Portagem - 2800 Almada - Portugal
Tel +351 (21) 29 56 040 - Fax +351 (21) 29 51 997

Portuguese version (2)
Price of the four volumes: 70 USD
IPC Brasil
Rua Barão de Ataliba - Cambui - CEP 13024 - 140 - Campinas - SAO PAULO - Brésil
Fax +55 (19) 2542037

Information sheet

  • Author(s): Comité technique 3 Routes dans les régions en développement / Technical Committee 3 Roads in Developing Regions
  • Domain(s): Road Assets Management / Road Pavements
  • PIARC Ref.: 03.05.BEN
  • ISBN: 2-84060-046-3