This Scoping Report describes the outcome of desk study research and in-country
discussions and fact finding in the Low Volume Rural Roads (LVRR), Transport Services (TS)
and Road Traffic Safety (RTS) sectors of Sierra Leone and Liberia. In both countries a
review is undertaken of recent and current developments in these sectors in order to form
the basis of a gap analysis. From this gap analysis a long list of potential ReCAP research
projects is developed for each country. These projects are prioritised and a preliminary
assessment made of the required duration, staffing and resources needed to implement
them. Given the geographical proximity of both countries and the fact that both are
recovering from civil war and the Ebola crisis, it is not surprising that the proposed
projects for each are very similar.
As far as LVRR projects are concerned these commence with a study of the geographical
variability of terrain, geology, soils, drainage and materials in each country, supported by
in situ and laboratory testing in order to provide guidance on the variability of subgrade
conditions and the suitability of materials for use in road works. The DCP (Dynamic Cone
Penetrometer) design method, developed and applied elsewhere by AfCAP, will be trialled
in both countries to provide a rapid and low cost means of assessing subgrade strength
and investigating pavement layers. There are proposals for trialling the use of alternative
road surfacing options by several donor agencies in Liberia. These will be reviewed, a
workshop will be held in Monrovia, and a decision made as to whether ReCAP should
become involved in additional trials in either or both countries. It is probable, however,
that this will be the case, in some form or another, using construction resources provided
by feeder road rehabilitation projects in both countries. A Feeder Roads Design Manual
will be developed for both countries, building upon the existing Liberia Ministry of Public
Works (MPW) manual first, incorporating the outputs from the projects described above,
and making maximum use of relevant design manuals developed by AfCAP elsewhere in
Africa. These manuals will take account of varying terrain, ground conditions, materials
and drainage, and will be regional-specific to each country. A set of revised Specifications
will also be developed. These research projects will be developed first in Liberia and then
transferred, modified and tailored to suit conditions in Sierra Leone.