Infrastructure Requirements for Non-Motorised Transport

Abstract

In developing countries animal-based transportation is one form of non-motorised transport that may be critical to the local and national economy. The paper will address how remote sensing systems can be used to evaluate remote areas for improvements that will allow free movement of people and materials. Transportation infrastructures such as roads and bridges are easily distinguished in both air photography and satellite imaging. Pavements such as asphalt retain heat and are also easy to see in thermal imaging. Unpaved roads are not as easily detected but they can be found using high resolution systems. This paper is limited to a discussion of roads and related structures and will not address the infrastructure of other forms of transport.

Animal-based transportation is important in the economies of developing countries. The roads these non-motorised vehicles travel on either are unimproved or have been built exclusively for motor vehicles. This paper will address the needs of animal-drawn transport and how these requirements can be included in road planning. Safety issues such as the causes of runaways and a structure to control this situation will be described. Evaluation of the road user population and a method of conducting a road census will be presented.