Inadequate road and highway facilities

Inadequate roads and road transit infrastructure

Nature

Transportation is critical for the provision of the goods and services necessary for economic and social growth. However, at the local level, many communities lack the infrastructure which makes delivery feasible. Rough or non-existent roads, battered equipment, little public transport, irregularity of services and high costs conspire to minimize adequate delivery of and access to basic goods and services, and thus to limit growth.

Inadequate road facilities for motorists impede the safe and efficient use of motorways. Road facilities including garages and service stations, and also accommodation for rest and meals at suitable intervals on the road network and particularly in less developed areas, are essential to the comfort and safety of motorists. Standardized first aid posts, properly staffed and equipped, as well as telephone booths for emergency phone calls, are often provided at too infrequent intervals along roadways, particularly in isolated areas.

Despite the important role played by the road haulage industry in the international transport between land-locked developing countries, its efficiency is impaired by a number of factors. Basic shortages exist in all-weather, through-road transport routes linking the main commercial centres in the land-locked countries with the seaports, and in the numbers of transport vehicles. The maintenance of the road network is generally poor, due to a shortage of the requisite technical skills, as well as to inadequate supplies of maintenance equipment, facilities and spare parts. The deterioration of the road situation is compounded by the fact that the technical specifications for existing roads are not properly observed because of poor enforcement and surveillance arrangements. In several cases, there are no road transit transport agreements between the land-locked countries and their transit neighbours. Where such agreements do exist, provisions concerning vehicle dimensions, axle loading specifications, the equitable sharing of inter-state traffic, road permits and visa procurement are often cumbersome and difficult to implement. There are frequently no through transport routes from the transit port to the final destination in land-locked countries, so cargo transfers have to be made.

Background

The global significance of inadequate road and highway facilities emerged in the early 20th century with the rapid expansion of motorized transport. As urbanization and international trade intensified, deficiencies in road infrastructure became increasingly apparent, impeding economic growth and public safety. Landmark studies, such as the World Bank’s 1988 World Development Report, highlighted the widespread impact of substandard roads, prompting international efforts to assess and address these infrastructural shortcomings across both developed and developing regions.

Incidence

Inadequate road and highway facilities affect millions globally, with the World Bank estimating that over one billion people lack access to all-weather roads. This shortfall is particularly acute in low- and middle-income countries, where poor infrastructure hampers economic development, restricts access to essential services, and contributes to high rates of traffic accidents and congestion. Urbanization and population growth further strain existing networks, making the problem increasingly widespread and persistent.
In 2022, severe flooding in Pakistan exposed the vulnerability of the country’s road infrastructure, with over 12,000 kilometers of roads damaged or destroyed. This disruption impeded relief efforts and isolated entire communities.

Claim

Roads are the veins and arteries of development along which move the means of production, and in the opposite direction finished goods, as people begin to emerge above the subsistence level. They are, however, a controversial innovation because the full return on the original investment has to be awaited for several or many years.

Counter-claim

Frankly, the concern over inadequate road and highway facilities is vastly overstated. Modern navigation apps, ride-sharing, and remote work have minimized the need for constant road upgrades. Most people adapt easily to minor inconveniences, and public funds are better spent elsewhere—like healthcare or education. Complaints about roads are often exaggerated, and the supposed “crisis” is simply not a pressing issue in today’s technologically advanced, flexible society.