Inadequate transportation facilities for rural communities

The increased centralization of goods and services in urban centres requires increased mobility for those requiring such goods and services. One of the basic requirements for developing communities is the introduction of surfaced roads and motor vehicles to allow both goods and services to enter the community and increase its development. It is crucial that an exchange of ideas occurs within the village itself, between the village and nearby urban centers, and between the village and the world if development is to be practical. In addition, the physical isolation of many rural communities reinforces their image as an anachronistic curiosity. The time necessary to get in and out of a village detracts from productivity; and commercial or industrial interests are understandably reluctant to locate in such an area. Rural commercial centres may exist, but are generally small and remote.

[Developing countries] Transport systems and communications in rural communities have remained the same for many decades: the single-lane mud and gravel roads leading into many villages cannot accommodate much traffic; motorized or commercial means of transport are lacking; there is rarely access to fields other than by footpaths so that farm machinery or trucks are unusable during rainy seasons; ankle-deep mud on roads makes travel very difficult so that people (in particular students and teachers) are cut off from education, commerce or any social exchange, often for long periods of time, particularly in countries that have long rainy seasons. Most travel in many villages, including crop transport, is by foot over long distances and difficult terrain. Although most families make one or more trips to market each week, such trips are a major undertaking, and obviously any travel is judged carefully against a number of inhibiting factors. This is especially evident in the limited amount of travel done even within a village, further isolating neighbour from neighbour.