I have worked as a consultant on the planning, appraisal and evaluation of projects in many countries. Specializing initially in cost-benefit analyses of public sector investments he concentrated progressively on the transport sector, becoming increasingly specialized in rural transport. Recently, his interest in roads has shifted to the broader goal of making rural services more accessible to users, integrating the many sectors involved in rural infrastructure provision. Roads are simply a means, among others, to make people more mobile. Whether this mobility will facilitate access to wells, clinics, schools or markets must be critically assessed. Maybe people, especially the poor, cannot afford to use them. Perhaps building services closer to their users would be better. This site tries to clarify these issues and thus promote better informed decisions.
When it was designed some eight years ago these obvious truths were frequently ignored. Roads were often seen as an end in themselves and too much attention was given to constructing them to high technical standards inappropriate for small numbers of motor vehicles. Now I am glad to say that perceptions are slowly changing. I hope this site has contributed.
I am now interested in giving lectures or seminars on the subject of rural transport or its history and am open to proposals. There is much more to be said than could be squeezed into my site and I would be pleased to explore in more detail the multiple avenues it opens.
