I am delighted to have been asked to take up the role of Rural Transport Theme Champion. I am convinced that despite substantial challenges to the sector and the ever present constraint of lack of resources, we have a unique opportunity through gTKP to bring together the vast but dispersed bank of knowledge on Rural Transport, and compile it into an easily accessible and ‘digestible’ format. This will enable the sector stakeholders and practitioners to review, adapt and apply it to achieve the desperately needed improvements in the sector performance and make that vital contribution to poverty reduction.
I see the Theme Champion’s role as a facilitator to encourage individuals and organisations with those gems of knowledge, good practice, case studies, innovations and even common sense, to come forward with their contributions, their knowledge of available documents, and share them with the other gTKP users. The contributors will also gain benefit from the recognition, from the knowledge of others and the realisation that their contributions, however large or small, will advance the sector performance.
gTKP does not aim to replace the good work that many of you are doing, but strives to enable more people to know about it and assist to bring specific worthy initiatives to the attention of the gTKP community.
We will establish a gallery of Rural Transport images, and directories of Technical Information Notes, Surface Option Notes and Case Studies.
We will be improving the ‘navigation’ of the website, posting and sign posting key documentation on a range of topics, and provide commentary and guidance where appropriate. We will seek your views on what is being provided and desirable improvements. We also need your suggestions on important knowledge gaps, so that future initiatives can be properly planned and resourced.
Your contributions and views are welcome on info@gtkp.com
In the coming months we will be focusing on a number of ‘hot topics’ and the substantial body of new research and knowledge that is becoming available through various sector initiatives. These include appropriate use of gravel and other road surfaces and what some regard as ‘the final frontier’ of road maintenance. There are numerous guidelines and manuals on ‘how to do it’, but precious few examples of working, affordable, sustainable maintenance systems in developing countries and economies in transition. If you know of any such systems the gTKP users would be very pleased to hear about them through info@gtkp.com
Other possible topics of interest to be addressed or reviewed in the coming months will include: Intermediate Means of Transport (IMTs), Community Participation, Basic Access, Engineered Natural Surfaces (ENS), Environmentally Optimised Design and Spot Improvement Strategies, Low Cost Structures, Standards and Specifications, Local Resource Based Methods, Mainstreaming into Practice and Road Funding. We will also revisit the topics already accommodated on the gTKP website. If you have something to say on any of these topics or other topics, or know of documentation that may benefit other gTKP users, then please share this knowledge through info@gtkp.com.
Lastly, humour has an important role in lightening the burden of sector salvation. If you have a humorous story or cartoon that could generate smiles, then please share it with the community.
I look forward to networking with and supporting you all.
Regards
Rob Petts
Rural Transport Theme Champion
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