Local government note: new perspectives of unsealed roads in South Africa

Abstract

This paper discusses latest perspectives regarding the improvement of the performance of unsealed roads, particularly by reducing many of the current problems. Like many countries, South Africa has a preponderance of unsealed roads in the road network. These are costly to maintain and have severe environmental repercussions. Recent work in which the specification of wearing course materials for unsealed roads developed in 1989 has been fully implemented, indicates that significant improvements in performance of the roads and reductions in gravel loss can be achieved. Mechanisms for reducing gravel loss are discussed and recent developments in the field of chemical stabilisation are highlighted.