Standard Width Size of A Road in Kenya
What Is the Standard Width Size of A Road in Kenya?
In Kenya, the standard width size of a road can vary depending on various factors such as location, traffic volume, and land use. However, the common road sizes, which include the road carriageway and road reserve, are as follows:
- 9 meters
- 12 meters
- 15 meters
- 18 meters
- 25 meters
- 30 meters
The decision on which road size to use is usually based on the recommendation of the physical planner and the town planning department of the local authority.
The factors considered include the expected traffic volume, the types of vehicles that will use the road, the land use, and the safety of road users.
The standard width size of a road in Kenya varies depending on the type and classification of the road. Here are the general standards:
- Urban Roads:
- Primary Roads: Typically have a carriageway width of about 7.0 to 10.5 meters, with additional lanes for parking and sidewalks.
- Secondary Roads: Usually have a carriageway width of about 6.0 to 7.0 meters.
- Rural Roads:
- Gravel Roads: Common in rural areas with a carriageway width of approximately 6.0 meters.
- Earth Roads: Found in less developed rural areas with a carriageway width of about 5.0 meters.
- Bitumen Roads: In some rural areas with higher traffic, these roads have a carriageway width ranging from 6.0 to 7.0 meters.
- Highways:
- Single Carriageway: Typically has a width of 7.0 meters.
- Dual Carriageway: Each carriageway usually has a width of 7.0 meters, making the total width 14.0 meters for the two carriageways.
- Road Reserves:
- The total width of the road reserve, which includes the carriageway, drainage, and space for utilities, ranges from 15.0 to 30.0 meters, depending on the road classification and expected future developments.
These standards are provided by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA). For the most accurate and detailed specifications, it is advisable to refer to the latest guidelines from these authorities.
What Is The Standard Size Of A Road?
The standard size of a road can vary depending on various factors such as location, traffic volume, and land use. However, the width of travel lanes is an important consideration for road design and safety.
In urban settings, travel lane widths of 10 feet are generally considered adequate for safety while also discouraging speeding.
In some cases, cities may choose to use 11-foot lanes on designated truck and bus routes, or adjacent to lanes in the opposing direction. This can help accommodate larger vehicles and improve traffic flow.
It’s important to note that road design should also take into account other factors such as pedestrian and cyclist safety, parking requirements, and the need for turning lanes and other features.
The design of a road should also comply with relevant standards and regulations to ensure the safety and convenience of all road users.
What Is The Width Of KeNHA Road?
The average carriageway width of a paved main road managed by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) with a distance of 27 kilometers is 6.5 meters. This means that the width of the road available for vehicles to use is approximately 6.5 meters wide on average.
It’s important to note that this may not be the width of the entire road including the road reserve, which can vary depending on various factors such as the location, traffic volume, and land use.
How Are Roads Classified In Kenya?
In Kenya, roads are classified into different categories based on their importance and function. The main road classification system used by the Kenya Roads Board (KRB) is as follows:
- National Trunk Roads (Class A): These are major highways that connect the country’s major cities and towns. They are usually paved and maintained by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
- Primary Roads (Class B): These are important roads that connect major towns and are also usually paved. They are maintained by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA).
- Secondary Roads (Class C): These are feeder roads that connect smaller towns and villages to the primary road network. They can be either paved or unpaved and are also maintained by KeRRA.
- Urban Roads (Class D): These are roads within towns and cities that connect various neighborhoods, business districts, and other important destinations. They are usually paved and maintained by the respective county governments.
- Access Roads (Class E): These are roads that provide access to individual properties such as homes, farms, and small businesses. They are usually unpaved and maintained by the respective landowners.
- Other Roads: These include Forest Roads (Class F), Roads serving Schools, Hospitals, and Government Institutions (Class G), Roads leading to Coffee (Kahawa) growing areas (Class K), and Roads accessing settlement schemes (Class L).
These roads are usually managed by the relevant government agencies or landowners.
The road classification system helps to guide road construction and maintenance activities, as well as ensure proper allocation of resources based on the importance and function of each road.
What Is The Size Of A Road Reserve?
The size of a road reserve refers to the full width of a public road, which includes the roadway, shoulders, sidewalks, and any other areas from boundary to boundary.
This means that the road reserve encompasses the entire width of the land set aside for a public road, including the space above it, and extends from one boundary to the other.
The actual width of the road reserve can vary depending on the specific road and location and may be influenced by factors such as traffic volume, land use, and available space.
The common road sizes (road carriageway plus road reserve) are at least nine metres
For access roads in subdivisions, the typical width is 9 meters. This is the standard width recommended for urban residential areas to accommodate infrastructure like drainage, utilities, and pedestrian walkways.
Standard Width Of Rural Roads In Kenya
The standard width of rural roads in Kenya typically depends on the classification and intended use of the road. The guidelines provided by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) and other relevant agencies offer specific standards for these roads.
Here are the general standards for rural roads in Kenya:
- Gravel Roads: These are common in rural areas and usually have a carriageway width of about 6 meters.
- Earth Roads: These roads, often found in less developed rural areas, have a carriageway width of about 5 meters.
- Bitumen Roads: In some rural areas where higher traffic is expected, bitumen roads may be constructed with a carriageway width ranging from 6 to 7 meters.
Additionally, the total width of the road reserve, which includes the carriageway and space for drainage and other utilities, typically ranges from 9 to 30 meters, depending on the classification and expected future developments.
For precise specifications and any updates to these standards, it is advisable to refer to the latest guidelines from the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) or the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), as they provide detailed manuals and design standards for road construction in the country.
Road Dimensions In Meters In Kenya
Road dimensions in Kenya vary widely based on road type and classification. Common road sizes in meters include 9m, 12m, 15m, 18m, 25m, and 30m, encompassing both road carriageway and road reserve widths depending on local authority and planning considerations.
Specific guidelines and standards for road design and markings are detailed in Kenya’s Road Design Manuals, emphasizing geometric design principles and safety audits.
Urban street design standards in Kenya also provide specific guidelines tailored for urban environments, ensuring infrastructure adequacy and safety.
Legal frameworks such as the Public Roads and Roads of Access Act and the Traffic Act CAP 403 outline regulatory requirements for road construction and maintenance in Kenya.
What Are The Standard Road Sizes In Kenya?
The standard road sizes in Kenya can vary based on their classification and purpose. Here are the typical road dimensions observed:
- Urban Roads:
- Carriageway widths range from approximately 7 meters to 12 meters.
- Additional road reserves are often included, making total widths up to 30 meters depending on the area’s development plan.
- Rural Roads:
- Generally narrower than urban roads.
- Carriageway widths can vary between 6 meters to 9 meters.
- Road reserves are typically included for safety and future expansion, totaling up to 18 meters in width.
- Highways:
- Designed for higher speeds and heavier traffic.
- Carriageway widths are usually between 12 meters to 18 meters.
- Road reserves are wider, ranging from 18 meters to 30 meters, ensuring safety and allowing for future upgrades.
These dimensions ensure compatibility with local traffic volumes, safety standards, and future infrastructure needs in Kenya.
