Minimal technical standards in forest and rural road construction [Switzerland]
1996
Hirt, R. (ETH-Zentrum, Zuerich (Switzerland). Departement Wald- und Holzforschung der ETHZ)
Within the framework of the planned political break-up of tasks and considering the changed basic financial conditions, a critical review of the present technical standards is being undertaken. A review of the project standards for forest and rural roads is needed in view of the claims that more economical minimal standards could be used. The necessary standards are stipulated as rules of construction science in specifications and guidelines and should ensure safe and economical constructions. A critical assessment of the structural engineering specifications and regulations with regard to pavement design, the selection of base and surface courses and the geometry of the roads reveals that the actual standards are based on modern fundamental principles, well backed up and proven in practice, which already lie at the lowest permissible limit. A more flexible implementation of the maximum permissible gradient seems to be justified in well-founded cases provided the corresponding technical precautions are taken. The limited financial means and the usually difficult topographical, geotechnical and climatic conditions have led to the development of an innovative and economical structural engineering technique for low-volume roads in rural areas. The corresponding specifications and standards have been effectively adapted to varying conditions. They have, however, only very small safety margins. The required minimal technical standards are already included in the specifications and are also implemented in the practical work
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