Low-volume roads engineering: Best management practices field guide

This manual was originally published in Spanish as "Practicas Mejoradas de Caminos Forestales" by the U.S. Agency for International Development for use throughout Latin America, and has proven valuable in helping to protect forest-based resources. When it became clear that the practical advice offered in this manual could be of value to resource managers throughout the world, this updated version in English was produced. This Field Guide provides an overview of the key planning, location, design, construction, and maintenance aspects of low-volume roads that can cause adverse environmental impacts and lists key ways to prevent those impacts. The best management practices presented in the guide are also sound engineering practices and are cost effective by preventing failures and reducing maintenance needs and repair costs. Appropriate practices depend to some degree upon the location or country, degree of need for improvements, and upon local laws and regulations. Best practices are also constantly evolving with time. The guide begins with a section entitled "Definition of Terms," in which various terms used throughout the guide are defined. The contents are then presented in 14 chapters: (1) Introduction; (2) Environmental Analysis; (3) Planning Issues and Special Applications; (4) Low-Volume Roads Engineering; (5) Hydrology for Drainage Crossing Design; (6) Tools for Hydraulic and Road Design; (7) Drainage of Low-Volume Roads; (8) Culvert Use, Installation, and Sizing; (9) Fords and Low-Water Crossings; (10) Bridges; (11) Slope Stabilization and Stability of Cuts and Fills; (12) Roadway Materials and Material Sources; (13) Erosion Control; and (14) Stabilization of Gullies. The guide is amply illustrated with photographs and drawings.