Title:

Maintaining Unpaved Roads

The Federal Highway Administration reported in 2012 that 35 percent of the roadways in the nation are unpaved, however they only account for approximately 2 percent of fatalities. Unpaved roadways are generally a safer and cheaper option than paved ones, while also being able to better survive the conditions of a wildlife environment. Many unpaved roadways in New England experience a recurring loss of serviceability when drainage issues mix with the conditions produced during the transition from winter to spring, called the mud season. The goal of this report is to provide local town officials and residents with the information needed to make an informed decision regarding the repair of an unpaved roadway experiencing seasonal damage. The report focuses on two unpaved roads in southern New Hampshire that experience similar rutting and ponding problems during the mud season. To reach the project goal the project team is conducting literature research, in-person analysis and surveying local professionals in the field. The project team concluded that a geotextile is the most effective drainage structure because it provides the necessary drainage and load resistance for the road to endure usage in the mud season.

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