CHPTR 1

TANROADS
TANZANIA NATIONAL
ROADS AGENCY
ROAD MAINTENANCE
HANDBOOK
VOLUME I
PART I: INSPECTION
PART II: EVALUATION
September 2007
JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY

(JICA)
KATAHIRA & ENGINEERS INTERNATIONAL

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This Handbook has been prepared by the cooperation of

Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) and the Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Various Regional Offices of TANROADS contributed photos

of road conditions used in this Handbook. These contributions
are greatly appreciated.
Where appropriate photo is not available, illustrations have

been quoted from PIARC Road Maintenance Handbook.
These quoted illustration are those shown in the following
pages:
Part I: Inspection
Pages 4-24, 4-84, 4-102, 4-104, 4-108, 4-114, 4-116, 7-3
Part III: Execution
Page 5-3 and 5-5
TANROADS and JICA are grateful for the generous

permission for quotation of these illustrations expressed in the
back of the cover of the PIARC ROAD Maintenance
Handbook.
ROAD MAINTENANCE
HANDBOOK
PART I: INSPECTION
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ............................................. 1-1
CHAPTER 2: GLOSSARY OF TERMS .................................. 2-1

2.1 Typical Cross Section .............................. 2-1
2.2 Glossary of Terms ................................... 2-3
CHAPTER 3: CONTENTS OF HANDBOOK.......................... 3-1
CHAPTER 4: INSPECTION ITEMS ....................................... 4-1

4.1 Definition of Defect ................................. 4-1
4.2 Inspection Items....................................... 4-3
Paved Roads (Bitumen)
Table 4.2 Cracking............................... 4-7
Table 4.3 Potholes................................ 4-13
Table 4.4 Rutting/deformation.............. 4-16
Table 4.5 Heaving/shoving................... 4-18
Table 4.6 Stripping/fretting .................. 4-19
Table 4.7 Bleeding............................... 4-21
Table 4.8 Glazing................................. 4-23
Table 4.9 Edge damage ........................ 4-25
Table 4.10 Waving............................... 4-27
Table 4.11 Obstructions ....................... 4-29
Concrete Roads
Table 4.12 Loss of surface texture ........ 4-31
Table 4.13 Cracking............................. 4-33
Table 4.14 Joint settlement................... 4-35
Unpaved Roads
Table 4.15 Loss of camber ................... 4-37
Table 4.16 Rutting ............................... 4-39
Table 4.17 Potholes.............................. 4-41
Table 4.18 Corrugation ........................ 4-43
Table 4.19 Erosion gullies.................... 4-45
Table 4.20 Soft spots............................ 4-47
Table 4.22 Loss of gravel depth............ 4-51
Shoulder
Table 4.23 Obstruction..........................4-53
Table 4.24 Thick vegetation..................4-55
Table 4.25 Scouring..............................4-57
Table 4.26 Shoulder/carriageway step ...4-59
Table 4.27 Rutting ................................4-61
Table 4.28 Depressions.........................4-63
Table 4.29 Potholes ..............................4-65
Slopes
Table 4.30 Thick vegetation..................4-67
Table 4.31 Erosion................................4-69
Table 4.32 Earth slip/landslide ..............4-71
Table 4.33 Rock avalanche ...................4-73
Table 4.34 Collapse of slope protection.4-75
Embankment
Table 4.35 Collapse ..............................4-77
Drainage
Table 4.36 Silting (at culverts) ..............4-79
Table 4.37 Blockage by debris ..............4-81
Table 4.38 Settlement cracks.................4-83
Table 4.39 Erosion of stream bed at
culverts outlet ......................4-85
Table 4.40 Headwall/apron/
wing-wall damage ...............4-87
Table 4.41 Collapse of culverts .............4-89
Table 4.42 Obstruction..........................4-91
Table 4.43 Silting (at ditch and drains)..4-93
Table 4.44 Ponding (in ditch or on
shoulder) .............................4-95
Table 4.45 Erosion of inverts and
ditch sides ...........................4-97
Table 4.46 Damaged ditch lining...........4-99
Table 4.47 Erosion at drainage outfall ...4-101
Table 4.48 Overflowing manhole ..........4-103
Table 4.49 Missing manhole cover or
grating.................................4-105
Table 4.50 Manhole covered with soil
and vegetation .....................4-107
Table 4.51 Silted catchpit sump.............4-109
Structure
Table 4.52 Settlement (at drift and
causeways) ......................... 4-111
Table 4.53 Debris................................. 4-113
Table 4.54 Damaged/missing
guideposts........................... 4-115
Table 4.55 Settlement at retaining
walls/stone masonry........... 4-117
Table 4.56 Cracking............................. 4-119
Table 4.57 Collapse ............................. 4-121
Road Furniture
Table 4.58 Dirty................................... 4-123
Table 4.59 Damaged/missing ............... 4-125
Footpath
Table 4.60 Potholes/depressions........... 4-127
CHAPTER 5: INSPECTION SHEETS AND METHODS ........ 5-1

5.1 Routine Inspection................................... 5-1
5.1.1 Inspection Sheets........................... 5-1
5.1.2 Inspection Execution ..................... 5-2
5.2 Urgent Inspection .................................... 5-14
5.2.1 Inspection Sheets........................... 5-14
5.2.2 Inspection Execution ..................... 5-14
5.3 Condition Ranking of Defects .................. 5-17
CHAPTER 6: FREQUENCY OF INSPECTION ACTIVITIES 6-1

6.1 Routine Inspection................................... 6-1
6.2 Urgent Inspection .................................... 6-3
CHAPTER 7: SAFETY MEASURES ..................................... 7-1

7.1 High Traffic Volume Roads ..................... 7-1
7.2 Low Traffic Volume Roads...................... 7-2
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
This manual, is a product of a joint Japanese – Tanzanian

effort, has been compiled for the Tanzania National Roads
Agency (TANROADS), which is responsible for the
maintenance of national roads in Tanzania. Therefore, it is
hoped that consistency in the field of road maintenance
will be achieved in Tanzania via TANROADS’s use of
this manual for all of its roads.
Road infrastructure is one of the indispensable

fundamental factors for improving the socio-economic
performance of a nation. Because of this, it cannot be
stressed enough that proper maintenance after the
completion of road construction is essential. To
consistently ensure road maintenance of a sufficient
quality, it is important that the engineers, inspectors,
technicians, etc. involved in road maintenance use the
same methodologies and tools. The purpose of this manual
is to ensure such consistency by providing standard
methodologies and tools based on the experiences and
characteristics of Tanzania.
The road maintenance manual is comprised of the

following three parts:
Part I : Inspection
Part II : Evaluation
Part III : Execution
This volume Part I: include Inspection and Part II:

Evaluation.
1-1
Although the manual has carefully considered the basic
conditions of Tanzania, engineers and inspectors should
take into account the characteristics of their respective
regions when actually applying the manual.
1-2
CHAPTER 2 GLOSSARY OF TERMS
This chapter together with description of typical cross

sections contains a glossary of terms that are used in this
manual.
2.1 Typical Cross Section
The typical cross sections for paved, unpaved and

urban roads are assumed to be as follows:
2-1
2-2
2.2 Glossary of Terms
Abutment
Structure supporting a bridge deck and retaining a
road embankment
Adhesion
Sticking quality (for example, a quality that holds
aggregate to the binder in chip sealing)
Aggregate
Crushed rock or stone
Apron
Floor of concrete, masonry or stone at the inlet or
outlet of culvert or waterway to prevent scouring
Asphalt Concrete
Road construction material usually comprising a
mixture of bitumen and aggregate, also known as
hot-mix or hot-rolled asphalt
Base course
The main structural element of paved roads located
between the surface course and sub-base.
Benching
A stepped platform cut in an embankment to prevent
earth slipping. Stepping can also be used to provide
a level base for additional fill material.
Berm
A low ridge or band of soil to collect or redirect
surface water
2-3
Binder
An adhesive material, usually bitumen or bitumen
emulsion, used to seal the road surface. Also serves
as a waterproof layer to receive and hold aggregate.
The most common binders are bitumen based. A
binder is also used to hold aggregate together in
bituminous mixture.
Binder Course
The layer forming part of the bituminous surfacing
immediately below the wearing course
Bitumen
Bitumen (called asphalt cement in the US) is a black
to dark brown sticky material composed principally
of high – molecular – weight hydrocarbons. Most
bitumen is derived from the distillation of crude oil.
Bitumen is a thermoplastic material that gradually
liquefies when heated.
Borrow Pit.
An excavation area from which suitable material is
obtained usually for the earthwork or regravelling
operations of roads 1-1
Box Culvert
A culvert with a rectangular cross-section, usually
constructed with reinforced concrete
Bridge
A structure with a span of 2 meters or more
providing a means of transit above land and/or water
or above an obstruction, whether natural or artificial.
2-4
Camber (Cross Fall)
The transverse slope of a carriageway on a section of
straight alignment
Causeway
Low-level structure constructed across streams or river
with openings to permit water to pass below road level.
Carriageway
The part of a road used by vehicular traffic
Catchment Area
The area from which water runs off by gravity to a
collecting point
Catchpit
A covered, accessible chamber with a sump for
collection of silt forming part of the drainage system
and permitting inspection and maintenance of
underground drainage pipes.
Centre Line
The middle of the carriageway
1-1 normally marked with a
white dashed line on a paved road.
Compaction
Compacting embankment by roller to increase density
of soil composing embankment body. It improves the
mechanical properties of soil.
Cross-fall
The transverse gradient or fall across a formation of
pavement.
2-5
Cross-section
Section through the road construction at the right
angles to the centre-line
Crown
The highest part of a cambered surface, usually on or
near the centre-line
Culvert
A duct, usually rectangular or circular, for carrying
surface water under the road
Cut (Cutting)
Excavation in natural ground usually with graved
slopes.
Cut-off Drain
A drain cut to intercept surface water flowing from
adjacent land and to prevent it from reaching the
pavement or other prepared surfaces.
Cut Slope
A soil plane constructed at an angle to the horizontal.
Cycleway
A track used for bicycle traffic and usually separated
from other parts of a road by kerb stone or a similar
structure.
Ditch (Drain)
A long narrow excavation designed or intended to
collect and drain off surface water.
Drainage
The interception and removal of ground and surface
water by artificial or natural means.
2-6
Drainage Channel
A waterway or gutter to carry away surface water
Drift or Ford
A stream or river crossing at bed level over which a
stream or river water can flow.
Earthwork
General term of construction work involving soil and
rocks (e.g., excavation, loading, hauling, spreading
and compaction)
Embankment Slope
An artificially constructed soil plane at an angle to
the horizontal
Fill (Embankment)
Earthwork constructed below the pavement raising
the road above the surrounding natural ground level
Footbridge
An overpass bridge crossing a carriageway/railway
to ensure the safety of pedestrians and smooth
vehicle flows
Footpath
A track mainly for pedestrians and usually separated
from other parts of a road by kerb stone or a similar
structure
Gabion
A steel mesh filled with cobble or crushed stone and
mainly used for revetments and slope protection
2-7
Gravel
A non-cohesive, coarse granular materials, resulting
from natural disintegration of rock with or without
finer material. In general the particles are irregular or
flaky. It is used as material for the surface course of
roads and to correct loss of shape, ruts, potholes and
erosion gullies.
Guardrail
A safety barrier on an embankment or at a river
crossing
Gutter
A shallow waterway provided at the edge of the road
to carry surface water longitudinally
Headwalls
The walls located on the top of an outlet/ inlet of a
culvert. The wall of the inlet direct flows into the
culvert, while the walls of the outlet provide a
transition from the culvert to the outlet channel.
Headwalls also protect embankments from erosion
by flood waters.
Inlet
The point at which surface water enters a pipe
culvert or box culvert
Invert
The lowest point of an internal cross section of a
ditch or culvert
2-8
Lane
The width of a carriageway required to
accommodate one line of traffic
Manhole
Accessible chamber with a cover forming part of the
drainage system and permitting inspection and
maintenance of underground drainage pipes
Mitre Drain
Short, open, skew ditches used to remove water from
roadside ditches or gutter. Use of this drain type
reduces the necessary size of side ditches and
minimizes the velocity of water and thereby the risk
of erosion
Original Ground Level

Line of natural ground
Outfall
The point at which water discharges from a pipe or
box culvert
Paved Road
For the purpose of this manual, a paved road is a
road which is surfaced with concrete, concrete
blocks, surface dressing or asphalt concrete.
Pavement
The road structure above the formation design to
spread loading over the base and subbase
2-9
Pipe Culvert
A culvert with a circular cross-section and usually
constructed in pre-cast concrete
Premix
Premix is a paving manufacture by mixing aggregate,
filler and bitumen. Most premix is mixed and placed
hot. Premix is used in the construction of wearing
course, binder course and base course.
Prime Coat
A coating of low viscosity binder applied to
stabilized or naturally compacted soil before sealing
or paving.
Road Reserved (Right-of-way)

It is the area reserved for future development of the
road and for the road utilities.
Road Furniture
Road or street furniture (e.g., traffic signs, traffic
boards, traffic signals, lane markings, guardrails, and
street lights).
Roadway
The portion of a road including shoulders for
vehicular use.
Scour Checks
Structures to prevent the scouring of drains. Simple
scour checks may be constructed of wood pegs or
stones. All scour checks should have an apron
downstream built of stones or grass turves pinned to
the ditch invert with wooden pegs.
2 - 10
Shoulders
Paved or unpaved part of the road next to the outer
edge of the pavement. The shoulder provides side
support for the pavement and allows vehicle to stop
or pass in an emergency.
Side Drain
Drain beyond the shoulders, parallel to the centre-
line, to take the run-off from the road surface.
Slope
A natural or artificially constructed soil plane at an
angle to the horizontal.
Sub-base
The layer of material between the base course and
the subgrade.
Subgrade
Upper layer of the soil that supports the pavement.
Superelevation
The raising of the outside level of the road of curves
to reduce the effect of centrifugal forces and
improve road-holding qualities
Surface Course
Top layer of a paved road consisting of a wearing
course and sometimes a base or binder course.
2 - 11
Surface Dressing
A sprayed of hand applied film of bitumen followed
by the application of a layer of stone chippings,
which is then rolled.
Tack Coat
Asphalt material to bond lower layer (asphalt
material or cement) and upper (asphalt mixture). It is
sprayed on surface of lower layer.
Traffic Lane
The portion of the carriageway defined by a road
marking for the movement of a single line of
vehicles.
Transverse Joint
Joint at right angles to the road centre-line.
Transverse Joint Taper

Slope or ramp of asphalt mix at the end of freshly
laid asphalt course.
Unpaved Road
For the purposes of this manual, an unpaved road is
a road with a gravel or earth surface.
Wearing Course
The part of the road surface in contact with the
wheels of vehicular traffic.
Wing-Wall
Retaining walls at a bridge abutment to retain and
protect the embankment fill behind the abutment.
2 - 12
2 - 13
2 - 14
CHAPTER 3 CONTENTS OF HANDBOOK
The road maintenance manual consists of three parts. Below

the contents of each volume are briefly described.
(1) Part I: Inspection

Part 1: Inspection describes the inspection method for
engineers/inspectors and contains the following:
- Inspection sheets
- Defect descriptions
- Frequency of inspection
- Safety measure during inspections
(2) Part II: Evaluation

Part II: Evaluation describes the evaluation methods for
defects and the selection methods for repair works. This
manual is prepared for engineers and contains the
following:
- Evaluation standards
- Selection methods for execution of maintenance
works
(3) Part III: Execution

Part III: Execution describes the methods for repair works,
cleaning and clearing based on the evaluation results. This
manual is prepared for engineers and contains the
following:
- Contents of each execution method
- Safety measure during execution of the works
There are four type of road maintenance and they are as

follows:
3-1
(a) Routine Maintenance
It shall mean all maintenance works required continuously or
at intervals on every road whatever its engineering
characteristics or traffic volume, and comprises of activities
such as shoulder repair, grass cutting, drain cleaning, culvert
and bridge cleaning and – maintenance, road furniture and
bridge guide rails maintenance paved road patching, edge
repair, crack sealing, and line remarking, and also unpaved
road grading, shaping, and pothole repairs.
(b) Periodic Maintenance

It shall mean all maintenance works carried out at intervals
of several years. Some activities included here are also
referred to as preventive maintenance. Typical activities on
paved roads include resealing, overlays of less than 100 mm,
fog sprays and shoulder re-forming. Pavement layer
reconstruction or the addition of a pavement layer must not
be included here, but under rehabilitation.
(c) Emergency Maintenance

It shall mean all maintenance activities required to open or
repair roads, bridges and other parts of the road
infrastructure after a natural or other unforeseen disaster like
fire, major accidents that cause damage to the road and
natural events like floods.
(d) Spot Maintenance

It shall mean localized maintenance works carried out on
short sections (typically 1 km or less ) of roads in order to
ensure a reasonable level of passability, and comprises of
activities such as road surface repairs embankment repair,
culvert and drainage repairs, localized road reshaping and
regravelling, and the construction of diversions. Spot
maintenance is done due to the excessively poor condition of
a road over a short section that threatens the flow of traffic.
3-2
CHAPTER 4 INSPECTION ITEMS
4.1 Definition of Defects
“Definition of Defect” sheets have been developed to

provide a uniform definition and description of defects
accruing on roads across Tanzania. There is a sheet for
each defect that contains the following elements:
(a) Item and Sub-Item
The item and sub-item are taken from the “List of
Road Defects” described in section 4.1.
(b) Defect
Each defect contained in the List of Road Defects has
a separate sheet.
(c) Description
The description is designed to give as much as is
necessary to identify the defect on site and to
distinguish it from other defects.
(d) Possible Causes.

Possible causes are listed to help staff identify the
most likely cause or causes of this defect. This is
important because different causes may require
different actions for repair. This is particularly so in
the case of water logged pavement, which may
require drainage work or maintenance to be carried
out in addition to the pavement repair.
4-1
(e) Effect (if neglected)
This describes what might happen if a defect is not repaired.
This helps staff to appreciate the potential danger of
pavement deterioration.
(f) Inspection Reporting Method

This states the information to be measured and/ or recorded
on the inspection sheet. This will vary for different defects
and in some cases involves measurement and in others the
assessment of defect ranking from A to D.
(g) Photograph
A photograph of each defect is provided to make
absolutely clear the name of each defect.
The definitions for each defect are described below in Tables

4.2 to 4.61
4-2
4.2 Inspection Items
This manual covers the road defects shown in Table 4.1.
Table 4.1 List of Road Defects
Item Sub-Item Defects

Paved Surface (4.2) Cracking
Roads (4.3) Potholes
(Bitumen) (4.4) Rutting/deformation
(4.5) Heaving/shoving
(4.6) Stripping/fretting
(4.7) Bleeding
(4.8) Glazing
(4.9) Edge damage
(4.10) Waving
(4.11) Obstructions
Base Course Spot failure

Sub-base Spot failure
Subgrade Spot failure
(4.12) Loss of surface texture
Concrete
Surface (4.13) Cracking
Roads
(4.14) Joint settlement
(4.15) Loss of camber
(4.16) Rutting
(4.17) Potholes
(4.18) Corrugation
(4.19) Erosion gullies
(4.20) Soft spots
Unpaved (4.21) Obstructions
Carriageway
Roads (4.22) Loss of gravel depth
4-3
(4.23) Obstruction,
(4.24) Thick vegetation,
(4.25) Scouring,
Shoulder N/A (4.26) Shoulder/carriageway step
(4.27) Rutting,
(4.28) Depressions
(4.29) Potholes
(4.30) Thick vegetation
(4.31) Erosion,
Slopes N/A (4.32) Earth slip/landslide
(4.33) Rock avalanche
(4.34) Collapse of slope protection
Embankment N/A (4.35) Collapse
(4.36) Silting
(4.37) Blockage by debris
(4.38) Settlement cracks
(4.39) Erosion of stream bed at
Culverts
culverts outlet
(4.40) Headwall/apron/wing-wall
Damage
(4.41) Collapse of culverts
(4.42) Obstruction
Drainage (4.43) Silting
(4.44) Ponding in ditch or on
Ditches & shoulder
Drains (4.45) Erosion of inverts and ditch
sides
(4.46) Damaged ditch lining
(4.47) Erosion at drainage outfall
(4.48) Overflowing manhole,
Manhole (4.49) Missing manhole cover or
& grating
Drainage (4.50) Manhole covered with soil
pipes and vegetation
(4.51) Silted catchpit sump
4-4
(4.52) Settlement,
Drift and
(4.53) Debris
Causeways
(4.54) Damaged/missing guideposts
Structure Retaining (4.55) Settlement
Walls/ (4.56) Cracking
Stone (4.57) Collapse
Masonry
(4.58) Dirty
Road Furniture N/A
(4.59) Damaged/missing
(4.60) Potholes/depressions
Footpath N/A
(4.61) Obstructions
Note : Figure in ( ) indicate the Table No.
4-5
(Blank Page)
4-6
Table 4.2 Defect: Cracking
Item: Paved Roads Sub-Item: Surface
(Bitumen)
Description:
Alligator Cracking.
Alligator cracking is a series of interconnecting cracks creating
interconnected patterns. The cracks start at the bottom of
asphalt surface and propagate to the surface, initially as one or
more longitudinal parallel cracks. After repeated traffic
loading, the cracks interconnected, forming polygonal, sharp
angled pieces that resemble chicken wire or the skin of an
alligator. Alligator cracking occurs only in areas subject to
repeated traffic loading, such as wheelpaths.
Transverse Cracking
Transverse cracks run perpendicular to the direction of traffic
flow. Transverse cracks can start at the curb or shoulder, be
contained in only one lane, or extend completely across the
roadway. These cracks can start also in the middle of a lane or
at the centerline.
Longitudinal Cracking
Longitudinal cracks occur parallel to the direction of traffic
flow. Longitudinal cracks can occur along the centerline, in
mid-lane, in the wheeltracks and along the edge. Cracks can be
relatively short in length or run the entire length of pavement
section.
4-7
Table 4.2 (2) Defect: Cracking
Item: Paved Sub-Item: Surface
Roads (Bitumen)
Possible Causes:
Alligator Cracking.
- Inadequate pavement thickness
- Low modulus base
- Brittle base or wearing course (e.g., cemented, aged).
Transverse Cracking
- Reflection of shrinkage crack or joint in underlying
base (common with Portland cement concrete or
cemented material).
- Construction joint or shrinkage crack (due to low
temperatures or bitumen hardening) in asphalt
surfacing.
- Structural failure of Portland cement concrete base.
Longitudinal Cracking
- Reflection of shrinkage crack or joint in underlying
base (common with Portland cement concrete,
cemented base of asphalt surfacing.
- Poorly constructed paving lane joint in asphalt
surfacing.
- Daily temperature cycles or asphalt hardening.
- Displacement of joint at pavement widening.
- Expansion of clay sub-grade.
- Cyclical weakening of pavement edge.
- Different settlement between cut and fill.
4-8
Item: Paved Sub-Item: Surface
Roads (Bitumen)
Effect (if neglected):
- Allow water to enter the pavement causing soften and

weakening of pavement and lower layers. This may
cause premature failure of the pavement.
- If severe, causes uneven ride for the motorist and may
reduce traffic speed.
Inspection Reporting Method:

- Quantification of % of sub-section length.
Inspection Tools:
- Tape
4-9
Item: Paved Roads Sub-Item:
(Bitumen) Surface
Alligator Crack
4 - 10
(Bitumen) Surface
Transverse Crack
Photo : Dodoma Reg. Office
4 - 11
(Bitumen) Surface
Longitudinal Crack
4 - 12
Table 4.3 Defect: Potholes
(Bitumen) Surface
Description:
Potholes are small bowl-shaped depressions on the pavement surface/base
course, usually less than one metre in diameter. They generally have sharp
edges and vertical side near the top of the hole. Their growth is accelerated by
free water collecting inside the hole. Potholes are reproduced when traffic
abrades small pieces of pavement surface. The pavement then continues to
disintegrate because of poor surface quality, weak spots in the base of sub-
grade, or because of severe alligator cracking. Most potholes are due to
structurally related distress and should not be confused with raveling and
weathering. When holes are created by high-severity alligator cracking, they
should be identified as potholes.
Possible Causes:
- Asphalt content too low
- Excessive heating of asphalt.
- Poor quality mixture.
- Lack of compaction allowing ingress of water.
- Excessive axle loads.
- Mechanical damage to the road due to poor reinstatement of
roads after services installations.
- Injury to pavement.
- Spills or leakages of fuel, oil or other agents.
- Aging of bitumen
- Allows water to enter the pavement causing softening and
weakening of the pavement and lower layers. This may cause
premature failure of the pavement.
- If left unrepaired, damage can rapidly expand.
- Create poor ride quality for motorists and may reduce traffic
speed.
- If large, can cause damage to vehicles.
- Can increase the risk of an accident.
4 - 13
Table 4.3 (2) Defect: Potholes
(Bitumen) Surface
- Quantification of length, width, depth and number of
potholes.
Inspection Tools: - Tape
Photo : Mwanza Reg. Office
Photo : Mbeya Reg. Office
4 - 14
Table 4.4 Defect: Rutting/Deformation
(Bitumen) Surface
Description:
Rutting is characterized by longitudinal depressions in the
pavement surface that occur in the wheel paths of a roadway.
Possible Causes:
- Inadequate pavement thickness.
- Inadequate compaction in surfacing or base
- Inadequate strength (stability) in surfacing or base.
- Excessive bitumen in mix.
- If water penetrates into the pavement, then there will be a
rapid increase in the degree of rutting, which often leads
to cracking and the breaking up of the pavement.
- If excessive, can reduce in serviceability and reduce
vehicle travel speeds and very severe cases, may result to
accident.
- Quantification of average depth.
Inspection Tools:
- Tape
- Straight Edge
- Marker
4 - 15
Table 4.4 (2) Defect: Rutting/Deformation
(Bitumen) Surface
Photo : Lindi Reg. Office
Photo by Mbeya Reg. Office
4 - 16
Table 4.5 Defect: Heaving/Shoving
(Bitumen) Surface
Description:
Usually heaving/shoving occurs on either side of a wheel track
and is associated with deformation and subsidence.
Possible Causes:
- Ingress of water: reduced bearing capacity of the
pavement.
- Materials: poor quality.
- Workmanship: insufficient compaction.
- Traffic: passage of vehicles too heavy for pavement
structure.
- Forcing up of weak materials as deformation occurs.
- Progressive disintegration of pavement.
- Quantification of sub-section length.
Inspection Tools:
- Tape
- Straight Edge
4 - 17
Table 4.5 (2) Defect: Heaving/Shoving
(Bitumen) Surface
Photo : Ruvuma Reg.Office
4 - 18
Table 4.6 Defect: Stripping/Fretting
(Bitumen) Surface
Description:
Stripping/fretting is the wearing away of the pavement surface
caused by the dislodging of aggregate particles and loss of asphalt
binder. This generally indicates that the asphalt binder has hardened
significantly. Loss of coarse aggregate of a sprayed seal that leaves
the binder exposed to tyre contact can happen bit by bit, or over a
localized area.
Possible Causes:
- Low binder content.
- Poor binder to stone adhesion (dirty or hydropholic
Aggregates, ineffective pre-coating with adhesion agent or wet
stone).
- Aging or absorption of binder.
- Stone deterioration.
- Incorrect blending of binder.
- Inadequate rolling before opening of seal to traffic.
- Poor workmanship.
- Progressive breaking away of chippings resulting in surfacing
becoming more slippery and more permeable.
- Quantification of sub-section length.
Inspection Tools:
- Tape
4 - 19
Table 4.6 (2) Defect: Stripping/Fretting
(Bitumen) Surface
Photo : Dodoma Reg. Office
4 - 20
Table 4.7 Defect: Bleeding
(Bitumen) Surface
Description:
Bleeding is a film of bituminous material that covers the
pavement surface and which creates a shiny, glass-like
appearance. It occurs when asphalt fills the void of the mix
during hot weather and then migrates to the pavement surface.
Possible Causes:
- Excessive application of binder with respect to stone
size.
- Excessive prime coat incorporated into the seal.
- Excessive binder in underlying surface (path or flushed
area).
- Primer seal covered before volatiles in primer binder
evaporated.

- Road surface become slippery and hazardous to traffic.
- Separation and breaking away of surface layer due to
traffic.
- Defect ranking
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 21
Table 4.7 (2) Defect: Bleeding
(Bitumen) Surface
4 - 22
Table 4.8 Defect: Glazing
(Bitumen) Surface
Description:
Pavement surface having a smooth, shiny appearance.
Possible Causes:
(a) Wearing away of surface chippings.
(b) Embedment of chippings into bases.

- Continued wear of chippings resulting in pavement
surface becoming more and more slippery, particularly
when wet. This creates a hazard to traffic and increase
the potential for accidents.

- Defect ranking
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 23
Table 4.8 (2) Defect: Glazing
(Bitumen) Surface
(a)
(b)
4 - 24
Table 4.9 Defect: Edge Damage
(Bitumen) Surface
Description:
Edge damage is a difference in elevation between the
pavement edge and the shoulder and occurs along the edge of
the pavement.
Possible Causes:
- Shoulder wear (formation of step)
- Erosion by water.
- Insufficient compaction at edges of bituminous
pavement.
- Road too narrow.
- Rapid deterioration during rainy season.
- Traffic will worsen defect.
- Quantification of % of sub-section length and average
depth.
Inspection Tools:
- Tape.
4 - 25
Table 4.9 (2) Defect: Edge Damage
(Bitumen) Surface
Photo : Ruvuma Reg.Office
4 - 26
Table 4.10 Defect: Waving
(Bitumen) Surface
Description:
Undulations in road surface of a wavelength longer than
corrugations.
Possible Causes:
- Poor quality material.
- Variations in compaction and bearing capacity of lower
layers.
- Poor quality or lack of prime coat or tack coat.
- Material not suited to temperature range.

- In hot weather, surface stripping can occur.
- Poor ride quality for motorists.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 27
Table 4.10 (2) Defect: Waving
(Bitumen) Surface
4 - 28
Table 4.11 Defect: Obstructions
Surface
Description:
Rocks, trees or tree branches, mounds of soil, wind blown
sand, animal carcasses, debris and abandoned vehicles on the
road surface.
Possible Causes:
- Material fallen from slopes or trees.
- Material blown or washed onto the road surface.
- Debris left by road users.
- Debris from road accidents.
- Animals hit by vehicles.
- Hazard to road users.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 29
Table 4.11 (2) Defect: Obstructions
Surface
Photo : Ruvuma Reg. Office
4 - 30
Table 4.12 Defect: Loss of Surface Texture
Item: Sub-Item:
Concrete Roads Surface
Description:
Surface texture worn down or stripped away by traffic.
Possible Causes:
- Soft aggregate.
- Inadequate construction work (e.g., insufficient
compacting, inappropriate concrete mix, inappropriate
grooving depth or type of grooving).

- Loss of friction grip for vehicle tyres creating a safety
risk.
- Water is unable to disperse from the carriageway along
the grooves creating standing water on the carriageway
and a serious accident hazard.

- Quantification of % of sub-section length
Inspection Tools:
- Tape
4 - 31
Table 4.12 (2) Defect: Loss of Surface Texture
Item: Sub-Item:
4 - 32
Item: Sub-Item:
Description:
Longitudinal or transverse cracks in pavement surface.
Possible Causes:
- Excessively dry conditions during construction work.
- Bearing capacity of subgrade/sub-base insufficient.
- Inadequate structure/function of joint
- Thickness of concrete slab insufficient.
- Poor quality of concrete
- Differential settlement of ground.
- Problem with underground utilities (e.g., water pipe
leakage).
- Increase in extent or severity of cracking causing
potential premature pavement failure.
- Water penetration causing softening of lower layers and
potential pavement failure.
- Quantification of % of sub-section length
Inspection Tools:
- Tape
4 - 33
Item: Sub-Item:
4 - 34
Table 4.14 Defect: Joint Settlement
Item: Sub-Item:
Description:
The vertical movement of concrete on one side of a joint
relative to that on the other side of the joint.
Possible Causes:
- Insufficient compaction of subgrade/base course
- Due to pumping action.
- Inadequate function of dowel bar and/or tie-bar.
- Water penetration of the joint causing softening of the
supporting layers.
- Problem with underground utilities (e.g., water pipe
leakage).
- Increase in severity of settlement causing a hazard to
traffic.
- Increase in water penetration causing softening and
erosion of the supporting layers.
- Cracking of concrete adjacent to the joint.

- Defect ranking
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 35
Table 4.14 (2) Defect: Joint Settlement
Item: Sub-Item:
4 - 36
Table 4.15 Defect: Loss of Camber
Item: Sub-Item:
Unpaved Roads Carriageway
Description:
Road camber is flat and non-existent, or has a reverse camber
with road edges higher than the centre portion of the road
surface; thereby, trapping or preventing surface water from
draining away.
Possible Causes:
- Poor construction or maintenance practice.

Water penetration will cause softening of pavement and make
the road impassable.
- Defect ranking
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 37
Table 4.15 (2) Defect: Loss of Camber
Item: Sub-Item:
Photo : Manyara Reg. Office
Photo : Singida Reg. Office
4 - 38
Table 4.16 Defect: Rutting
Item: Sub-Item:
Description:
Rutting is characterized by a longitudinal depression in the
road surface that occurs in the wheelpaths of a road.
Possible Causes:
- Inadequate wet strength of subgrade.
- Wearing away of surface material due to traffic or
erosion.
- Excessive loose material.
- Traffic compaction of subgrade.

- Cause poor ride quality.
- Water can collect in ruts and cause aquaplaning problem
for vehicles.

- Defect ranking
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 39
Table 4.16 (2) Defect: Rutting
Item: Sub-Item:
Photo : Mwanza Reg.Office
4 - 40
Item: Sub-Item:
Description:
Bowl-shaped depressions in the road surface which can be
oval or irregular in shape.
Possible Causes:
- Ponding of water.
- Excessive weakening of layer by moisture and/or traffic
action.
- Inadequate initial compaction.
- Variable quality of materials.
- Insufficient structural thickness.

- If left unrepaired, extent of damage can rapidly expand.
- Creates poor quality for the motorist and may reduce
traffic speed.
- If large, can cause damage to vehicles.
- Can increase the risk of an accident.

potholes.
Inspection Tools:
- Tape
4 - 41
Item: Sub-Item:
Photo : Shinyanga Reg. Office
4 - 42
Table 4.18 Defect: Corrugation
Item: Sub-Item:
Description
A series of closely-spaced crests and valleys. Resembling an
old fashioned “washboard”. Corrugations always occur with
ripples perpendicular to the direction of travel and are more
pronounced at wheelpaths, although they sometimes cover a
whole section of pavement surface.
Possible Causes:
- Insufficient pavement structural thickness (pavement
strength)
- Inadequate quality of base material for prevailing
climatic and traffic conditions. Most common in dry
conditions.
- Generally reduces vehicles travel speed.
- Vehicles bounce as they travel over corrugations.
- Vehicles slip sideways and driver must maintain firm
grip on steering wheel.
- Generally reduces vehicles travel speed.
- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 43
Table 4.18 (2) Defect: Corrugation
Item: Sub-Item:
4 - 44
Table 4.19 Defect: Erosion Gullies
Item: Sub-Item:
Description:
Erosion gullies are longitudinal or transverse depressions in a
road surface that normally occur in the wheel paths and sides
of a roadway.
Possible Causes:
- Rainwater running along wheel paths.
- Poor transversal drainage or high road gradient.
- Sewage water pipe leaks in urban areas.

- Ponding of water in gullies that will lead to softening of
pavement and the creation of an impassable road.
- Reduce vehicle travel speed.

depth.
Inspection Tools:
- Tape
4 - 45
Table 4.19 (2) Defect: Erosion Gullies
Item: Sub-Item:
4 - 46
Table 4.20 Defect: Soft spots
Item: Sub-Item:
Description:
Localized softening of running surface. Subgrade soils may
punch up through a gravel surface, with the broken surface
usually surrounded by a depression or dish type distortion.
This defect likely to occur in wheel tracks.
Possible Causes:
- Caused by shear failure of the base of subgrade soil.
- Traffic loads combined wit excessive moisture from
improperly drained surface.
- Poor quality material.
- Lack of compaction.
- Road become impassable to traffic.
- Soft spot expands and thereby requires major
reconstruction.
- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 47
Table 4.20 Defect: Soft spots
Item: Sub-Item:
4 - 48
Item: Sub-Item:
Description:
sand, animal carcasses, debris and abandoned vehicles on the
road surface.
Possible Causes:
- Material fallen from slopes or trees.
- Material blown or washed onto road surface.

- Hazard to road user.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 49
Item: Sub-Item:
4 - 50
Table 4.22 Defect: Loss of Gravel Depth
Item: Sub-Item:
Description:
Gravel on windrows in the centre of the road alongside the
wheel tracks, or along the shoulder, all parallel to the direction
of traffic. Traffic action also segregates coarse aggregates from
fine particles, with loose aggregates being moved away from
wheel tracks to from windrows parallel to the direction of
traffic over the less traveled roadway.
Possible Causes:
- Inadequate compaction at construction or regravelling.
- Segregation of course aggregate from fine particles due
to traffic action.
- Road eventually closed to traffic.
- Softening of surface makes road impassable to traffic.
depth.
Inspection Tools:
- Tape
4 - 51
Table 4.22 (2) Defect: Loss of Gravel Depth
Item: Sub-Item:
4 - 52
Item: Sub-Item:
Shoulders
Description:
sand, animal carcasses, and abandoned vehicles/debris on the
shoulder.
Possible Causes:
- Material fallen from slope or trees.
- Material blown or washed onto shoulders.

- Hazard to road users.
- Obstruction of water flow from carriageway.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 53
Item: Sub-Item:
Shoulders
4 - 54
Table 4.24 Defect: Thick Vegetation
Item: Sub-Item:
Shoulders
Description:
Vegetation growth overruns the shoulder and reaches or
approaches the roadway edge.
Possible Causes:
- Grass, weeds, bush or trees have been allowed to grow
unchecked.

- Surface water can pond at the edge of the carriageway
and weaken the pavement.
- Silt accumulates at the edge of the carriageway.
- Visibility for road users is reduced, with increased risk of
accidents.
- Increased fire hazard in the dry season.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 55
Table 4.24 (2) Defect: Thick Vegetation
Item: Sub-Item:
Shoulders
Photo :Mwanza Reg. Office
4 - 56
Table 4.25 Defect: Scouring
Item: Sub-Item:
Shoulders
Description:
Loss of edge support to pavement.
Possible Causes:
- Lack of sufficient edge drainage.
- Poor edge compaction.

- Safety hazard for motorists.
- Further deterioration likely, exposing lower pavement
layers to possible softening due to water flows.
- Complete break up of shoulder and pavement edge.

Inspection Tools:
- Tape
4 - 57
Table 4.25 (2) Defect: Scouring
Item: Sub-Item:
Shoulders
4 - 58
Table 4.26 Defect: Shoulder/ Carriageway Step
Item: Sub-
Shoulders Item:
Description:
Loss of edge support to pavement.
Possible Causes:
- Lack of sufficient edge drainage.
- Poor edge compaction.

- Become a safety hazard for motorists.
- Further deterioration likely, exposing lower pavement
layers to possible softening due to water action.
- Complete break up of shoulder and pavement edge.

Inspection Tools:
- Tape
4 - 59
Table 4.26 (2) Defect: Shoulder/ Carriageway Step
Item: Sub-
Shoulders Item:
4 - 60
Table 4.27 Defect: Rutting
Item: Sub-Item:
Shoulders
Description:
Rutting is characterized by longitudinal surface depressions.
Possible Causes:
- Carriageway is too narrow.
- Excessive loose material.
- Traffic compaction.
- Construction too shallow.

- Further deterioration and failure of shoulders.
- Standing water in ruts could penetrate to lower layers
causing early failure.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 61
Table 4.27 (2) Defect: Rutting
Item: Sub-Item:
Shoulders
4 - 62
Table 4.28 Defect: Depressions
Item: Sub-Item:
Shoulders
Description:
Any deviation of the surface from its original shape (other than
that described previously for corrugation or rutting).
Depressions usually take the shape of a dish, bump, or dip
which give rise to the pitching, rolling or jarring in a moving
vehicle.
Possible Causes:
- Differential settlement of subgrade or base materials.
- Lack of subgrade support.
- Embankment slope failure.
- Water ponding in a depression can penetrate lower layers
and cause softening and potential early failure.
Depressions may expand into cracking and potholes.

Inspection Tools:
- Tape
- Straight Edge
4 - 63
Table 4.28 (2) Defect: Depressions
Item: Shoulders Sub-Item:
4 - 64
Item: Sub-Item:
Shoulders
Description:
Bowl-shaped depressions in the surface those are oval or
irregular in shape.
Possible Causes:
- Ponding of water.
- Excessive weakening of layer by moisture and traffic.
- Inadequate initial compaction.
- Variable quality of material.
- Insufficient shoulder depth.

- Standing water can penetrate lower layers causing early
failure.

potholes.
Inspection Tools:
- Tape
4 - 65
Item: Sub-Item:
Shoulders
4 - 66
Table 4.30 Defect: Thick Vegetation
Item: Sub-Item:
Slope
Description:
Vegetation growth overruns the slope and reaches or
approaches the roadway edge, reducing visibility and creating
a safety hazard.
Possible Causes:
- Insufficient grass cutting, bush clearing and tree
trimming.

- Overgrown trees or branches can fall and block
carriageway.
- Visibility for road users reduced, with increased risk of
accident.
- Vegetation can block the drainage system or prevent its
inspection maintenance.
- Increased fire hazard in dry season.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 67
Table 4.30 (2) Defect: Thick Vegetation
Item: Sub-Item:
Slope
4 - 68
Table 4.31 Defect: Erosion
Item: Slope Sub-Item:
Description:
The wearing away of material by natural causes such as water or wind.
Possible Causes:
Cut Slope Embankment Slope
- Slope too steep - Slope too steep.
- Poor quality materials. - Lack of drainage system.
No protection for slope - Poor construction methodology
surface. or quality of materials.
- Runoff water, spring water - No protection for slope surface.
and seepage water. - Runoff water, spring water and
- Weathering of slope. seepage water.
- Lack of proper - Erosion due to river or sea.
compaction during - Weathering of slope.
construction. - Lack of proper compaction
- Lack of cut-off drainage. during construction.
- Road may be closed - Shoulder and roadbed may
and cause traffic collapse.
disruption. - Landslide may occur.
- Side ditch and other - Side ditch and other concrete
concrete structures structures may be damaged,
may be damaged, causing drainage problems.
causing drainage
problems.
Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 69
Table 4.31 (2) Defect: Erosion
4 - 70
Table 4.32 Defect: Earth Slip/ Landslide
Description:
Sliding of slope material downhill because of instability or water
penetration.
Possible Causes:
- Slope gradient too steep. - Water running between natural
- Lack of drainage system ground and fill material.
- Lack of berm and berm ditch. - Poor construction methodology.
- Rain water and underground water - Slope gradient too steep.
runoff. between top soil and - Lack of berm and berm ditch.
foundation rock. - Lack of proper compaction.
- Dip of rock or weathered rock - Lack of bearing capacity of lower
layers.

- May cause serious problems for - May cause serious problem for third
third parties. parties.
- May result in long-term road - May result in long-term road
closure to traffic. closure to traffic.
- Urgent countermeasures required. - Urgent countermeasures required.
- Quantification of % of sub-section length and average height/ depth.
Inspection Tools:
- Tape
- Leveling staff
4 - 71
Table 4.32 (2) Defect: Earth Slip/ Landslide
Item: Sub-Item:
Slope
4 - 72
Table 4.33 Defect: Rock Avalanche
Item: Sub-Item:
Slope
Description:
Displaced rock material falling due to gravity.
Possible Causes:
- Dipping of rock
- Poor quality control of construction
- Weathering
- Development of joint in rock.
- Seepage water.
- Closure of road causing traffic disruption.
- Possible damage to side ditch and other concrete
structures, causing drainage problems.
- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 73
Table 4.33 (2) Defect: Rock Avalanche
Item: Sub-Item:
Slope
4 - 74
Table 4.34 Defect: Collapse of Slope Protection
Item: Sub-
Slope Item:
Description:
Failure of slope retaining structures such that they are
unable to work as designed.
Possible Causes:
Cut Slope Embankment
- Poor quality of material. - Unstable embankment.
- Lack of bearing capacity of - Poor quality fill materials.
structure. - Poor quality control of
- Rock fall. construction.
- Lack of proper compaction of - Weathering of slope.
surface resulting in slope - Washing out underneath of
cracking. embankment by river water.
- Unstable cut slope deforms.

- Causes poor countermeasure - May result in road closure to traffic or
function for slope defects. create a hazard and disturb traffic
- Rainwater can cause softening flows.
and weakening of slope. - Side ditch and other concrete
structures may be damaged, and cause
drainage problems.
Inspection Tools:
- Tape
- Leveling staff
4 - 75
Table 4.34 (2) Defect: Collapse of Slope Protection
Item: Sub-Item:
Slope
Photo : Mtwara Reg. Office
4 - 76
Table 4.35 Defect: Collapse
Item: Sub-Item:
Embankment
Description:
Movement of the embankment such that the structural integrity
of the embankment has failed, making it unable and safe to
take design loads.
Possible Causes:
- Lack of compaction
- Poor material.
- Saturation due to lack of drainage or flooding.
- Soften of sub-grade due to groundwater or lack of
drainage.
- Scouring of toe by water action.
- Earthquakes or other natural disasters.

- Road closure causing traffic disruption.
- Difficult and expensive reconstruction.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 77
Table 4.35 (2) Defect: Collapse
Item: Sub-Item:
Embankment
4 - 78
Table 4.36 Defect: Silting
Item: Sub-Item:
Drainage Culverts
Description:
Culvert is blocked by silt.
Possible Causes:
- Invert slope too flat.
- Culvert constructed too low, so that material from the
stream bed is deposited in the culvert.
- Vegetation and floating debris carried by water have
become lodged in the culvert.

- The intended waterway opening will be so reduced that
flood water cannot flood out.
- Water will back-up or pond on the upstream side of the
culvert and may eventually overflow the road
embankment with the risk of the road being washed
away.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 79
Table 4.36 (2) Defect: Silting
Item: Sub-Item:
Drainage Culverts
Photo : Kilimanjaro Reg. Office
Photo : Mtwara Reg. Office
4 - 80
Table 4.37 Defect: Blockage by Debris
Item: Sub-Item:
Drainage Culverts
Description:
Culvert is blocked by debris.
Possible Causes:
- Invert slope too flat.
- Culvert constructed too low, so that material from the
stream bed is deposited in the culvert.
- Vegetation and floating debris carried by water have
become lodged in the culvert.

- The intended waterway opening will be so reduced that
flood water cannot flood out.
- Water will back-up or pond on the upstream side of the
culvert and may eventually overflow the road
embankment with the risk of the road being washed
away.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 81
Table 4.37 (2) Defect: Blockage by Debris
Item: Sub-Item:
Drainage Culverts
Photo : Mwanza Regional Office
4 - 82
Table 4.38 Defect: Settlement Cracks
Item: Sub-Item:
Drainage Culverts
Description:
Cracks appearing on the surface of a road above a culvert.
Possible Causes:
- Settlement of soil below culvert.

- Minor damage: If settlement is minor, only light cracking
will result in headwalls, wingwalls and the main
structure. This will hardly affect the function of structure
but cracking should be sealed as soon as possible.
- Major damage: If settlement is severe, it will cause a
relatively large movement of the culvert pipes so that
embankment soil will enter through the cracks and block
the culverts, or the culvert may collapse. The culvert
must then be reconstructed.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 83
Table 4.38 (2) Defect: Settlement Cracks
Item: Sub-Item:
Drainage Culverts
4 - 84
Table 4.39 Defect: Erosion of Stream Bed at Culvert
Outlet
Item: Sub-Item:
Drainage Culverts
Description:
Stream bed of culvert outlet is eroded by water flow.
Possible Causes:
- Culvert invert constructed at too steep gradient resulting
in excessively fast water flows.
- Culvert invert constructed too flat with an excessive drop
at the outfall.
The above are design or construction mistakes.

- Stream bed washed away and a pool or ravine develops.
- Head and wingwalls of downstream culvert and even a
section of the culvert and road embankment can collapse
into the pool or ravine.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 85
Defect: Erosion of Stream Bed at Culvert
Table 4.39 (2)
Outlet
Item: Sub-Item:
Drainage Culverts
Photo : Kilimanjaro Reg. Office
4 - 86
Table 4.40 Defect: Headwall/Apron/Wing-wall
Damage
Item: Sub-Item:
Drainage Culverts
Description:
Headwall/Apron/Wing-wall is damaged (e.g., cracked,
collapsed).
Possible Causes:
- Minor settlement.
- Scouring or erosion.
- Poor construction.
- Poor design.
- Unexpected site condition.

- Erosion headwall/ apron/ wing-wall.
- Culvert blockage or collapse.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 87
Table 4.40 (2) Defect: Headwall/AproWing-wall Damage
Item: Sub-Item:
Drainage Culverts
4 - 88
Table 4.41 Defect: Collapse of Culverts
Item: Sub-Item: Culverts
Drainage
Description:
Culverts collapsed by external forces.
Possible Causes:
- Excessive traffic loads.
- Damaged by rock fall.
- Poor materials.
- Weak foundation.
- Inadequate cover for culvert.

- May cause traffic accident.
- Water may enter cracks and weaken roadbed.
- Runoff water may cause landslide.
- Reduces drainage capacity with potential for flooding
upstream and consequent damage to road foundation.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 89
Table 4.41 (2) Defect: Collapse of Culverts
Item: Sub-Item:
Drainage Culverts
4 - 90
Item: Sub-Item:
Drainage Ditches & Drains
Description:
Trees, branches, grass cuttings, silt and man-made waste
blocks the flow of water.
Possible Causes:
- Bushes, fallen trees, debris, loose silt, loose rocks.
- Illegal settlement.

- Blockage of ditch leading to flooding, erosion and
potential erosion of ditch slopes.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 91
Item: Sub-Item:
4 - 92
Table 4.43 Defect: Silting
Item: Sub-Item:
Description:
Water flow in blocked due to silt.
Possible Causes:
- Invert slope is too flat and water cannot flow at a
sufficient speed.

- Blockage of ditches causing flooding and potential
erosion of ditch slopes.

- Quantification of silt thickness.
Inspection Tools:
- Tape
- Leveling staff
4 - 93
Table 4.43 (2) Defect: Silting
Item: Sub-Item:
4 - 94
Table 4.44 Defect: Ponding in Ditch or on Shoulder
Item: Sub-Item:
Description:
Water overflowing from a ditch/drain.
Possible Causes:
- Ditch cross-section too small.
- Ditch gradient too flat
- Obstruction in ditch.

- Shoulder could become soft and easily eroded.
- Pavement could be flooded and thereby weakened.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 95
Table 4.44 (2) Defect: Ponding in Ditch or on
Shoulder
Item: Sub-Item:
4 - 96
Table 4.45 Defect: Erosion of Inverts & Ditch Sides
Item: Sub-Item:
Description:
Invert and sides of ditch eroded by water flow.
Possible Causes:
- Invert slope too steep.
- Invert and slopes not compacted.
- Material too soft and needs protection.

- Erosion becomes more severe and sides collapse, causing
flooding and endangering the shoulder and pavement.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 97
Table 4.45 (2) Defect: Erosion of Inverts & Ditch Sides
Item: Sub-Item:
4 - 98
Table 4.46 Defect: Damage Ditch Lining
Item: Sub-Item:
Description:
Part of ditch lining is broken, dislodged or damaged.
Possible Causes:
- Poor construction workmanship.
- Soil settlement, erosion of soil under ditch lining.
- Poor alignment or sudden change in flow of water.
- Damage caused by debris.

When flowing water reaches the soil protected by the lining,
erosion starts. The amount of soil washed away increase and
the lining is further damaged by loss of support, leading to
complete destruction of the lining.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 99
Table 4.46 (2) Defect: Damage Ditch Lining
Item: Sub-Item:
4 - 100
Table 4.47 Defect: Erosion at Drainage Outfall
Item: Sub-Item:
Description:
Drainage outfall eroded by water flow.
Possible Causes:
- Water flow too fast.
- Water flow too concentrated.
- Unsuitable soil material at outfall

- Erosion may continue into the ditch and extend the area
of outfall. The erosion may cause erosion of road
structure as well as the surrounding land.

- Referring ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 101
Table 4.47 (2) Defect: Erosion at Drainage Outfall
Item: Sub-Item:
4 - 102
Table 4.48 Defect: Overflowing Manhole
Item: Sub-Item: Manhole
Drainage & Drainage Pipes
Description:
Water overflows onto road surface from manhole/pipe.
Possible Causes:
- The manhole or connected underground pipes are
blocked and water cannot flow as intended.
- Downstream pipe is broken or silted up.
- Poor construction (e.g., small diameter inserted after
larger diameter pipe).

- Flooding of road shoulder of carriageway.
- Drainage system becomes ineffective, danger of earth
slip or weakening of pavement.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 103
Table 4.48 (2) Defect: Overflowing Manhole
Item: Sub-Item: Manhole &
Drainage Drainage Pipes
4 - 104
Table 4.49 Defect: Missing Manhole Cover or Grating
Description:
There is no manhole/ditch cover/grating on road
surface/shoulder/verge.
Possible Causes:
- Accident, vandalism.
- Cover/grating broken.

- Open manholes/ditches are dangerous for vehicles,
people and animals
- Vegetation and debris have uncontrolled access and
blockage can occur.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 105
Table 4.49 (2) Defect: Missing Manhole Cover or Grating
4 - 106
Defect: Manhole Covered with Soil &
Table 4.50
Vegetation
Item: Sub-Item:
Drainage Manhole &
Drainage Pipes
Description:
Manhole is covered with soil and vegetation.
Possible Causes:
- Silting of ground area at manhole, manhole cover level
possibly too low.
- Manhole covered during new construction or
maintenance works.

- Possible blockage of drainage system at manhole, due to
an undetected accumulation of silt in manhole.
- Unable to find manhole in an emergency.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 107
Defect: Manhole Covered with Soil &
Table 4.50 (2)
Vegetation
4 - 108
Table 4.51 Defect: Silted Catch-pit Sump
Description:
Catch-pit sump is filled with silt.
Possible Causes:
- Silt and debris collecting in the sump have not been
removed sufficiently and regularly.

- Possible blockage of drainage system catchpit at down
stream due to a buildup of silt or debris.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 109
Table 4.51 (2) Defect: Silted Catch-pit Sump
4 - 110
Table 4.52 Defect: Settlement
Item: Sub-Item:
Structures Drifts & Causeways
Description:
Vertical movement of a drift or causeway, putting at risk the
ability to carry design loads.
Possible Causes:
- Poor construction or construction materials.
- Scouring or erosion.

- Unsafe conditions for road users.
- Risk of further settlement and potential collapse.
- Reduction in water flow capacity.

Inspection Tools:
- Tape
4 - 111
Table 4.52 (2) Defect: Settlement
Item: Sub-Item:
4 - 112
Table 4.53 Defect: Debris
Item: Sub-Item:
Description:
Surface of drift/causeway is covered with debris.
Possible Causes:
- Natural movement of riverbed material by flowing water.

- Pavement border cannot be seen and vehicles may drive
onto loose riverbed material at the edge of the drift and
become damaged or immobilized.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 113
Table 4.53 (2) Defect: Debris
Item: Sub-Item:
4 - 114
Table 4.54 Defect: Damaged/ Missing Guideposts
Item: Sub-Item:
Description:
Guideposts/markers are damaged or missing.
Possible Causes:
- Accident, flood damage, vandalism.

- When a drift/ causeway become submerged during a
flood, the edge of the pavement cannot be seen. Without
guideposts, vehicles could accidentally drive into deep
water.
- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 115
Table 4.54 (2) Defect: Damaged/ Missing Guideposts
Item: Sub-Item:
4 - 116
Table 4.55 Defect: Settlement
Item: Sub-Item:
Structures Retaining Wall/Stone Masonry
Description:
Due to insufficient bearing capacity settlement of retaining
wall/stone masonry occurs.
Possible Causes:
- Softening of sub-grade due to groundwater, flooding or
lack of drainage.
- Lack of compaction below foundation.

- Risk of collapse.
- Risk of retaining material spilling onto road.

- Quantification of length and height of damaged section.
Inspection Tools:
- Tape
- Leveling staff
4 - 117
Table 4.55 (2) Defect: Settlement
Item: Sub-Item: Retaining
Structures Wall/Stone Masonry
(Photo to be Inserted)
4 - 118
Item: Sub-Item:
Structures Retaining Wall/Stone Masonry
Description:
Crack on surface of retaining wall/stonemasonry.
Possible Causes:
- Vehicle impact.
- Insufficient wall thickness.
- Excessive build up of water behind wall due to lack of or
weep-blocked holes/drainage.

- Risk of collapse.

- Defect ranking
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 119
(Photo to be Inserted)
4 - 120
Table 4.57 Defect: Collapse
Description:
Collapsed retaining wall/Stone masonry.
Possible Causes:
- Vehicle impact.
- Insufficient wall thickness.
- Excessive build up of water behind wall due to lack of or
weep-blocked holes/drainage.
- Landslide, major slip or rockfall.
- Inadequate foundation.

- Blockage of roadway with collapsed wall or retained
material may occur.
- Unsupported material may cause risk of collapsed to
retained slope.

- Referring ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 121
Table 4.57 (2) Defect: Collapse
4 - 122
Table 4.58 Defect: Dirty
Item: Sub-Item:
Road Furniture
Description:
Road furniture (e.g., road sign) is dirty and/or covered by dust.
Possible Causes:
- Traffic raises dust clouds during dry weather or splashes
mud during wet weather onto signs and posts.

- Sign can not serve intended purpose.
- Danger of rusting of steel plate sign increases.
- Increased risk of accidents occurs.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 123
Table 4.58 (2) Defect: Dirty
Item: Sub-Item:
Road Furniture
4 - 124
Table 4.59 Defect: Damaged/Missing
Item: Sub-Item:
Road Furniture
Description:
Road furniture (e.g., road sign, traffic signals) is damaged or
missing.
Possible Causes:
- Traffic accident, vandalism or bush fire.
- Severe weathering, corrosion or vandalism.

- Road users can become disoriented with the loss of
important traffic signs, resulting in an increased risk of
accident occurrence.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 125
Table 4.59 (2) Defect: Damaged/Missing
Item: Sub-Item:
Road Furniture
4 - 126
Table 4.60 Defect: Pothole/Depressions
Item: Sub-Item:
Footpath
Description:
Potholes are small bowl-shaped depressions usually less than
one metre in diameter on the pavement surface. They generally
have sharp edges and vertical sides near the top of the hole.
Possible Causes:
- Asphalt content too low.
- Excessive heating of asphalt.
- Poor quality mixture.
- Lack of compaction allowing ingress of water.

- Water can enter pavement causing softening and
weakening of pavement and lower layers. May result in
early failure of pavement.
- Obstacle for pedestrians.

potholes.
Inspection Tools:
- Tape
4 - 127
Table 4.60 (2) Defect: Pothole/Depressions
Item: Sub-Item:
Footpath
4 - 128
Item: Sub-Item:
Footpath
Description:
sand, debris, rubbish and abandoned vehicles are on the
footpath.
Possible Causes:
- Material fallen from slopes or trees
- Material blown or washed onto the footpath.
- Debris/ rubbish left by road users.

- Hazard to pedestrians.

- Defect ranking.
Inspection Tools:
- Nil
4 - 129
Item: Sub-Item:
Footpath
4 - 130
4 - 131
CHAPTER 5: INSPECTION SHEETS AND
METHODS
5.1 Routine Inspection
5.1.1 Inspection Sheets
Five (5) routine inspection sheets listed below have

been prepared as shown in Table 5.1 to 5.5.
Form PR : Paved Roads

Form UR : Unpaved Roads
Form RF/RS : Road Furniture and Roadside
Structures
Form DSS : Drainage System and Drainage
Structures
Form URB : Road Facilities in Urban Roads
The procedure for using an inspection sheet is as

follows:
(a) All defect items to be inspected are shown on

inspection sheet.
(b) Each sheet covers a 2 km section of road.
(c) The following basic data entered on each
inspection sheet: District name, Date of inspection,
Inspector’s name, Road number, Road class,
Surface type, Location, Terrain, and Cause of
Defects.
5-1
5.1.2 Inspection Execution
Inspectors using the above inspection sheets should

carry out inspections as described below:
(1) Inspectors should prepare inspection sheets for

each road section to be inspected.
(2) When inspectors find a defect, the defect should

either be measured or ranked in accordance with
Table 5.12 (“Condition Ranking of Defects”). The
defect Measurement or ranking is entered on the
inspection sheet. “Condition Ranking”, or
measurement, should be carried out according to
the methods described in the “Definition of
Defect” tables in Chapter 4.
Tables 5.6 to 5.8 shows the examples of entry

methods on inspection sheets.
(3) Inspectors should use the same inspection sheets

for one to two years, because these sheets can also
be used as a record for repair work.
Table 5.6 to 5.8 show entry method examples for

defect and repair records. Red entries indicate
results from a second inspection, and yellow
entries indicate the completion of execution works.
(4) Inspectors should select the most likely cause of

the defect from those given in Tables 4.2 to 4.62.
Tables 5.6 to 5.8 show entry method
examples for defect causes.
5-2
(5) Inspections for carriageways, shoulders and road
facilities should be carried out from a vehicle at a
running speed of less than 20 km/hr in order to
accurately detect defects. Upon finding a defect, the
inspector will leave his vehicle to carry out further
inspection.
(6) Basic inspection activities are as follows:

- Inspectors carry out inspections three (3) days per
week.
- Inspectors organize inspection data and prepare
reports for engineers on the other two (2) days.
Table 5.9, “Report of Inspection Results and
Execution Plan”, shows the format of the
inspection report. Inspectors should enter the
following items in the report District, Reporter’s
Name, Date of report, Route No., Road class,
Location, KM, Defect Type and Condition
Ranking of Defect.
Inspectors should also submit to engineers their

inspection sheets.
- The inspection distance for one (10 day should be

approximately 50 km).
(7) The basic activity flow for inspection work is

shown in Figure 5.1.
5-3
Inspector prepares the
inspection sheets.
Inspector finds defects on the roads.
(A)Condition Ranking, or
(A) (B)
(B)Measurement of
Defect Scale
(A) Inspector evaluates

defect level by the
(B) Inspector measures
"Condition Ranking of
defect
Defects"
Inspector enters defect condition or

measurement on inspection sheets.
Inspector reports and submits inspection

sheets to Engineer
Figure 5.1 Inspection Activity Flow
5-4
Table 5.1 Form PR Road Condition Survey for Paved Roads (Routine)
_____of_____
District Date of Inspection / / Inspector’s Name
Road No. / / Concrete or Asphalt Concrete or Surface
Pavement Type
Location Km from Road Class Class Dressing or Block Paving
Location (km) 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
Obstructions
Thick Vegetation
Scouring
Shoulder Shoulder/Carriageway Step
(Left Side) Defects
Rutting/Depressions
Potholes (Area x Depth x Nos)
Cause of Defects
Carriageway Cracking
Potholes (Area x Depth x Nos)
Rutting/Deformation (Depth)
Defects Heaving/Shoving
Stripping/Fretting
Bleeding
5-5
Glazing
Edge Damage
Wave
Obstructions
Spot Failure of Base Course
Loss of Surface Texture
Joint Settlement
Cause of Defects
Obstructions
Thick Vegetation
Shoulder Scouring
(Right Side) Defects Shoulder/Carriageway Step
Rutting/Depressions
Potholes (Width x Depth x Nos.)
Cause of Defect
Terrain: Mountainous (M), Rolling (R), Hilly (H) or Flat (F)
Table 5.2 Form UR Road Condition Survey for Unpaved Roads (Routine) _____of_____
Road No. / / Pavement Type Gravel or Earth
Location Km From / /
Road Class Class / /
Location (km) 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
Obstructions
Thick Vegetation
Shoulder Defects Scouring
(Left Side) Shoulder/Carriageway Step
Rutting/Depressions
Potholes (Width x Depth x Nos)
Cause of Defects
Loss of Camber
5-6
Rutting (Depth)
Carriageway Corrugation
Erosion Gullies
Soft Spots
Obstructions
Loss of Gravel Depth
Cause of Defects
Obstructions
Shoulder Thick Vegetation

(Right Side) Scouring
Shoulder/Carriageway Step
Rutting/Depressions
Cause Defects
Terrain: Mountainous (M), Rolling (R), Hilly (H) or Flat (F)
Table 5.3 Form RF/RS Road Condition Survey for Road Furniture and Roadside Structures (Routine) _____of______
Road No. / / Location Km from
Location (km) 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
Road Furniture Dirty
(Left Side) Defects Damaged
Missing
Structure Settlement
(Retaining Wall Defects Cracking
etc.) Collapse
(Left Side) Cause of Defects
Thick Vegetation
Erosion
Slope Defects Earth Slip/Landslide
(Left Side) Rock Avalanche
Collapse of Slope Protection
Cause of Defects
5-7
Settlement
Embankment Defects Collapse
Cause of Defects
Thick Vegetation
Slope Erosion
(Right Side) Defects Earth Slip/Land Slide
Rock Avalanche
Collapse of Slope Protection
Cause of Defects
(Retaining Wall Cracking
etc) (Right Side) Defects Collapse
Cause of Defects
Dirty
Road Furniture Defects Damaged
(Right Side) Missing
Terrain: Mountainous (M), Rolling (R), Hill (H) or Flat (F)
Table 5.4 Form DSS Road Condition Survey for Drainage System or Drainage Structures (Routine) ____of____
District Date of / / Inspector’s Name
Road No. Inspection / / Location Km from
Location (km) 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
(Drift and Defects Erosion
Causeway) Debris
Structure Cracking
Potholes
Damaged /Missing Guideposts
Cause of Defects
Silting
Blockage by Debris
Drainage Defects Settlement Cracks
(Culverts) Erosion by Stream Bed
Collapse
5-8
Loose Bolts
Rust
Cause of Defects
Obstructions
Silting
Drainage Defects Ponding in Ditch
(Ditches and Erosion of Invert and Side Ditch
Drains) Damaged Ditch Lining
Erosion at Drainage Outfall
Cause of Defects
Overflowing Manhole
Drainage Defects Missing Manhole cover or Grating
(Manholes Manhole Cover with Soil
& Drainage Catchpit sump silted up
Pipes)
Table 5.5 Form URB Road Condition Survey for Road Facilities in Urban Roads (Routine) ____of____
City/Town Date of Inspection / / Inspector’s Name
Location (km) 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
Dirty
Road Lighting Defects Damaged
Missing
Dirty
Traffic Signs Defects Damaged
Missing
Dirty
Traffic Signals Defects Damaged
Missing
Traffic Boards Dirty
Defects Damaged
5-9
Missing
Footpath Cracking
Defects Potholes (Area x
Depth x Nos)
Wave
Obstructions
Course of Defects
Settlement
Kerb Stones Defects Cracking
Collapse
Course of Defects
Defects
Defects
Defects
Defects
Defects
Table 5.6 Form PR Road Condition Survey for Paved Roads (Routine) ____of____
Road No. / / Pavement Type Concrete or Concrete or Surface
Road Class Class / / Dressing or Block Paving.
Location (km) 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
Obstructions
Shoulder Defects Thick Vegetation
(Left Side) Scouring
Rutting/Depressions
Potholes (Area x Depth x Nos.)
Course of Defects
Cracking
Rutting/Deformation (Depth)
Heaving/Shoving
Carriageway Stripping/Fretting
5-10
Bleeding
Defects Glazing
Edge Damage
Wave
Obstructions
Spot Failure of Base Course
Loss of Surface Failure
Joint Settlement
Course of Defects Load
Obstructions
Shoulder Defects Thick Vegetation
(Right Side) Scouring
Rutting/Depressions
Course of Defects
Table 5.7 Form DSS Road Condition Survey for Drainage System or Drainage Structure (Routine) ____of____
District Date of / / Inspector’s Name
Road No. Inspection / / Location
Location (km) 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
Settlement
Structure (Drifts Erosion
and Causeway) Defects Debris
Cracking
Potholes
Damaged/ Missing Guideposts
Course of Defects
Silting
Blockage Cracks
Drainage Erosion of Stream Bed
(Culvert) Defects Headwall/Apron/Wing wall Damage
5-11
Collapse
Loose Bolts
Rust
Course of Defects
Obstructions
Drainage Defects Silting
(Ditches and Drain) Ponding in Ditch
Erosion of Invert and Side Ditch
Damaged Ditch Lining
Erosion at Drainage Outfall
Course of Defects
Drainage Overflowing Manhole
(Manholes & Defects Missing Manhole Cover or Grating
Drainage Pipes) Manhole Covered with soil
Catchpit sump silted up
Course of Defects
Table 5.8 Form URB Road Condition Survey for Road Facilities in Urban Roads (Routine) ____of____
City/Town Date of / / Inspector’s Name
Road No. Inspection / / Location Km from
Location (km) 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
Dirty
Road Defects Damaged
Lighting Missing
Dirty
Traffic Signs Defects Damaged
Missing
Dirty
Traffic Defects Damaged
Signals Missing
Dirty
Traffic Defects Damaged
Boards Missing
5-12
Cracking
Footpath Defects Potholes (Area x Depth x Nos)
Wave
Obstructions
Course of Defects
Settlement
Kerb Stones Defects Cracking
Collapse
Course of Defects
Defects
Defects
Defects
Defects
Defects
Table 5.9 Report of Inspection Results and Execution Plan
District Location
Road No. Road Class Class From
Inspector’s Name: Engineer’s Name:
Date: Date:
Km Defect Condition Ranking Recommended Planned Quantity Estimated Remark
Type of Defects Action Action Cost (Tsh)
5-13
Total
5.2 Urgent Inspection
5.2.1 Inspection Sheets
There is one (1) form for urgent inspections and this is

shown in Table 5.10.
The procedure for using an inspection sheet is as follows:
a) All defect items for urgent maintenance are indicated

on inspection sheet.
b) Each sheet is only for the defect point or section.
c) The inspection sheet records basic date such as
district name, date of inspection, inspector’s name,
road number, road class, and location.
5.2.2 Inspection Execution
Inspectors using the above inspection sheet should carry

out inspection as described below:
1) Inspector should prepare inspection sheets only for

sections with defects.
2) Data entry method is the same as that for routine
inspections.
3) An example of the entry method is shown in Table
5.11.
4) Inspectors organize inspection date and submit reports
to engineers as shown in Table 5.9. The data entry
method is the same as that for routine inspection.
5 - 14
Table 5.10 Form UGT Road Condition Survey (Urgent)
Road Class / /
Location (km) Km - km Km - km Km - km Km - km Km - km
Obstructions
Carriageway Defects
Obstructions
Footpath Defects
Erosion
Rock Avalanche
5-15
Obstructions
Ditches and Drains Defects
Overflowing manhole
Drainage (Manholes) Defects
Missing Manhole cover or
grating
Structure (Drafts, etc) Debris

Defects
Table 5.11 Form UGT Road Condition Survey (Urgent)
Road Class / /
Location (km) Km - km Km - km Km - km Km - km Km - km
Obstructions
Carriageway Defects
Obstructions
Footpath Defects
Erosion
5-16
Rock Avalanche
Obstructions
Ditches and Drains Defects
Overflowing manhole
Drainage (Manholes) Defects Missing Manhole cover or grating
Structure (Drafts, etc) Debris

Defects
5.3 Condition Ranking of Defects
If Inspector cannot quantitatively measures the size or

scale of defect, then inspectors should judge the damaged
level of a defect based on Table 5.12 (“Condition
Ranking of Defects”). This ranking consists of four (4)
levels “A” to “D”. In addition, the road elements for the
ranking are divided into the following four (4) items:
- Carriageway and shoulder

- Drain (Ditches)
- Culverts
- Others
5 - 17
(Blank Page)
5 - 18
Table 5.12 Condition Ranking of Defects
Ranking Rank A Rank B
Carriageway (1) Minor defect (1) Minor defect

and (2) Vehicles can pass at (2) Vehicles can pass at normal
Shoulder normal design speed for design speed for paved roads
paved roads or at a speed as or at a speed of 60 to 40
of more than 60 km/hr for km/hr for unpaved roads.
unpaved roads. (3) Normal routine maintenance
(3) No immediate action but required such as:
continue monitoring - Local sealing, crack
needed sealing, spot sealing
(4) Removal of Obstructions. - Grading
- Patching
- Manual reshaping
- Sanding
(4) Removal of obstruction.
Drain (1) Minor defect (1) Minor defects such as:

(Ditches) (2) No immediate action but - Local erosion
continued monitoring - Drainage silted up
needed. halfway.
(3) Removal of obstructions (2) Collapse but functions
maintainable.
(3) Normal routine maintenance
required such as:
- Cleaning
- Local reconstruction
(4) Removal of obstructions
5 - 19
Ranking Rank C Rank D
Carriageway (1) Major defect (1) Major defect

and Shoulder (2) Vehicles can pass at (2) Vehicles can pass at a speed
normal design speed for of more than 20 km/hr
paved roads or at a (3) Routine or periodic
speed of more than 40 maintenance required such
to 20 km/hr for unpaved as:
roads. - Heavy reshaping
(3) Routine or periodic - Regravelling
maintenance required - Overlay, surface dressing
such as: - Reconstruction including
- Heavy grading rehabilitation
(recovery of material + - Emergency maintenance
compaction. required
- Manual heavy reshaping (4) Removal of obstruction.
- Resealing (5) Emergence maintenance
- Regravelling required
(4) Removal of obstruction. (6) Removal of obstruction
Drain (1) Major defects such as: (1) Major defects such as:
(Ditches) - ¾ silted drainage - Local erosion
- Ditch lining is - Drainage silted up
damaged halfway
- Ponding (2) Collapse but functions
(2) Collapse but functions maintenance.
maintained (3) Normal routine maintenance
(3) Routine or periodic required such as:
maintenance required - Cleaning
such as: - Local reconstruction
- Cleaning (4) Removal of obstructions
- Repair lining (5) Emergence maintenance
- Reshape required
(4) Removal of (6) Removal of obstructions
obstructions.
5 - 20
Ranking Rank A Rank B
Culvert (1) Minor defect such as (1) Minor defect such as:
spot cracking - Cracking
(2) No immediate action - Local collapse
but continued - Culvert silted up halfway
Monitoring needed. (2) Collapse but function
(3) Removal of Maintainable.
obstructions. (3) Normal routine maintenance
required such as:
- Sealing
- Cleaning
- Repair for local collapse
(4)Removal of obstruction.
Drain (1) Minor defects such as (1) Minor defects such as:
(Ditches) spot cracks: - Local erosion
(2) No immediate action - Dirty of road furniture
but continued - Cracks
monitoring needed. (2) Collapse but functions
(3) Removal of maintainable.
obstructions. (3) Normal routine maintenance
required such as:
- Filling
- Cleaning
- Crack sealing
(4) Removal of obstruction.
5 - 21
Ranking Rank C Rank D
Culvert (1) Major defects such as: (1) Major defect such as:
- Collapse - Collapse
- ¾ silted culvert - Fully silted culvert
(2) Collapse but functions (2) Collapse and function
maintainable lost
(3) Routine or periodic (3) Routine or periodic
maintenance required such maintenance required
as: such as:
- Cleaning - Cleaning
- Local reconstruction (4) Reconstruction
(4) Removal of obstruction including rehabilitation.
(5) Emergency maintenance
required
(6) Removal of obstruction
Others (1) Major defects such as: (1) Major defects such as:
- Collapse - Collapse
- Damaged road furniture - Settlement
(2) Collapse but functions - Earth slip/landslide
maintainable - Missing road furniture
(3) Routine or periodic (2) Collapse and functions
maintenance required such lost
as: (3) Routine or periodic
- Repair of road furniture maintenance required
- Local reconstruction such as:
(4) Removal of obstructions. - Replacement of road
furniture
(4) Reconstruction
including rehabilitation.
(5) Emergency maintenance
Required
(6) Removal of obstructions
5 - 22
CHAPTER 6 FREQUENCY OF INSPECTION
ACTIVITIES
6.1 Routine Inspection
The frequency of routine maintenance is as shown in Table

6.1. Since there is a minimum and desirable frequency for
each, engineers and inspectors should decide on the
appropriate inspection frequency for their region based on
factors such as staffing, available maintenance budget
terrain, climate, defect types, and rainfall.
Table 6.1 Frequency of Routine Inspection

Item Frequency Remarks
Minimum Desirable
Carriageway of Every 2 Every
Paved Road Months week
Carriageway of Every 2 Every
Unpaved Road Months week
Footpath Every 2 Every
Months week
Shoulder Every 2 Every
Months week
Slopes Every 4 Every Inspection immediately
Months Month after end of rainy season
Embankment Every 4 Every Inspection immediately
Drainage Every 4 Every Inspection immediately
Roadside Every 4 Every Inspection immediately
Structures Months Month after end of rainy season
Road Furniture Every 2 Every
Months week
6-1
The basic policies for executing routine inspections at a
minimum frequency are as follows:
1) A routine inspection for slopes and embankment

should be executed immediately after the end of the
rainy season to see if there are any major problems.
2) Routine inspection for drainage facilities should be
executed before beginning of the rainy season to
prevent serious road damage, such as the collapse of
embankments and facilities, silting and flooding.
3) Inspection frequency should be increased from the
minimum when the road maintenance budget has
improved.
Table 6.2 Minimum Inspection Schedule

Item Inspection Schedule (Month)
2nd 4th 6th 8th 10th 12th 14th
Carriageway of
* * * * * * *
Paved Road
Carriageway of
* * * * * * *
Unpaved Road
Footpath and
* * * * * * *
Road Furniture
Slope and
* * *
Embankment
Drainage * * * *
Roadside
* * *
Structures
Note: *Execution of Inspection
6-2
Inspection for slopes and embankment, drainage facilities
and roadside structures that are carried out every four (4)
months should not be executed at the same time, because
there would be too much inspection work involved.
Inspectors should consider inspection times based on the
volume of inspection items. For example, if inspection for
slopes, embankments and roadside structures are carried
out in the first and fourth months, then inspection for
drainage facilities should be carried out in the second and
sixth months. But considering the seasonal issues are
shown in Table 6.1.
6.2 Urgent Inspection
Urgent inspection should be carried out after the following

events:
(1) After heavy rain
Heavy rain can cause road damage such as the collapse

of embankments, slopes, drainage facilities and
structures. Therefore, inspectors should inspect roads
after a heavy rain.
(2) After reports of problems from road users or

residents.
The maintenance office may receive reports from road

users or residents regarding road defects or major
damage. These should be investigated in order to
maintain roads to an acceptable standard.
6-3
(3) After major traffic accidents.
Major traffic accidents may damage pavement or road

furniture (e.g., traffic signs, traffic boards, traffic
signals, guardrail, etc.) The maintenance office will
probably receive reports of major traffic accidents from
the police, but they could also come from users or
residents. The inspector should visit the site to check
for any damage and to organize any necessary urgent
repairs.
6-4
CHAPTER 7 INSPECTION SAFETY
When inspection is being carried out on a carriageway, it is

the inspector’s responsibility to see that adequate measures
are taken to warn and protect road users and inspectors. He
should consider and instruct all inspection members
regarding safety measures, including traffic control and the
use of temporary road signs.
7.1 High Traffic Volume Roads.
Before inspection work start, warning signs and cones

should be placed around the area. Work should be
carried out on one side of the road at a time, allowing
traffic to pass on the other: Signs and cones should be
placed in the following order:
(a) “Speed limit” signs should be placed 100m in front

of the work area.
(b) Cones should be placed in a taper at the approaches
to the inspection work area and at a maximum
spacing of 10 m along the middle of the road next to
the inspection work area.
Also, traffic controllers should stand next to the cones

in the centre of the road to operate the reversible
“Stop/Go” signs. The controller closest to oncoming
traffic should decide when to stop the flow and allow to
travel in the other direction.
Figure 7.1 shows the basic traffic control method.
7-1
7.2 Low Traffic Volume Roads.
Engineers working on roads with low traffic volumes

should consider and use a simple system of traffic
control as follows:
(a) Two controllers stand at the start of the work area.

(b) Cones are placed only at the start of the work area.
7-2
7-3

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TANROADS

JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY

KATAHIRA & ENGINEERS INTERNATIONAL

This Handbook has been prepared by the cooperation of

Various Regional Offices of TANROADS contributed photos

Where appropriate photo is not available, illustrations have

TANROADS and JICA are grateful for the generous

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ............................................. 1-1

CHAPTER 2: GLOSSARY OF TERMS .................................. 2-1

CHAPTER 3: CONTENTS OF HANDBOOK.......................... 3-1

CHAPTER 4: INSPECTION ITEMS ....................................... 4-1

CHAPTER 5: INSPECTION SHEETS AND METHODS ........ 5-1

CHAPTER 6: FREQUENCY OF INSPECTION ACTIVITIES 6-1

CHAPTER 7: SAFETY MEASURES ..................................... 7-1

This manual, is a product of a joint Japanese – Tanzanian

Road infrastructure is one of the indispensable

The road maintenance manual is comprised of the

This volume Part I: include Inspection and Part II:

This chapter together with description of typical cross

2.1 Typical Cross Section

The typical cross sections for paved, unpaved and

Original Ground Level

Road Reserved (Right-of-way)

Transverse Joint Taper

The road maintenance manual consists of three parts. Below

(1) Part I: Inspection

(2) Part II: Evaluation

(3) Part III: Execution

There are four type of road maintenance and they are as

(b) Periodic Maintenance

(c) Emergency Maintenance

(d) Spot Maintenance

4.1 Definition of Defects

“Definition of Defect” sheets have been developed to

(d) Possible Causes.

(f) Inspection Reporting Method

The definitions for each defect are described below in Tables

Table 4.1 List of Road Defects

Item Sub-Item Defects

Base Course Spot failure

- Allow water to enter the pavement causing soften and

Inspection Reporting Method:

Photo : Dodoma Reg. Office

Photo : Mwanza Reg. Office

Photo : Mbeya Reg. Office

Photo : Lindi Reg. Office

Photo by Mbeya Reg. Office

Photo : Ruvuma Reg.Office

Photo : Dodoma Reg. Office

Effect (if neglected):

Photo : Mwanza Reg. Office

Effect (if neglected):

Inspection Reporting Method:

Photo : Ruvuma Reg.Office

Photo : Lindi Reg. Office

Effect (if neglected):

Inspection Reporting Method:

Inspection Reporting Method:

Photo : Ruvuma Reg. Office

Effect (if neglected):

Inspection Reporting Method:

Inspection Reporting Method:

Effect (if neglected):