Rural transport plan of “Practical action” - IELTS reading practice test

For more than vãn 40 years, Practical kích hoạt has worked with poor communities đồ sộ identify the types of transport that work best, taking into consideration culture, needs and skills. With our technical and practical tư vấn, isolated rural communities can design, build and maintain their own solutions.

A

Whilst the focus of National Development Plans in the transport sector lies heavily in the areas of extending road networks and bridges, there are still major gaps identified in addressing the needs of poorer communities. There is a need đồ sộ develop and promote the sustainable use of alternative transport systems and intermediate means of transportation (IMTs) that complement the linkages of poor people with road networks and other socio-economic infrastructures đồ sộ improve their livelihoods.

B

On the other hand, the development of all weathered roads (only 30 percent of the rural population have access đồ sộ this sánh far) and motorable bridges are very costly for a country with a small and stagnant economy. In addition, these interventions are not always favourable in all geographical contexts environmentally, socially and economically. More than vãn 60 percent of the network is concentrated in the lowland areas of the country. Although there are a number of alternative ways by which transportation and mobility needs of rural communities in the hills can be addressed, a lack of clear government focus and policies, lack of fiscal and economic incentives, lack of adequate technical knowledge and manufacturing capacities have led đồ sộ under-development of this alternative transport sub-sector including the provision of IMTs.

C

One of the major causes of poverty is isolation. Improving the access and mobility of the isolated poor paves the way for access đồ sộ markets, services and opportunities. By improving transport poorer people are able đồ sộ access markets where they can buy or sell goods for income, and make better use of essential services such as health and education. No proper roads or vehicles mean women and children are forced đồ sộ spend many hours each day attending đồ sộ their most basic needs, such as collecting water and firewood. This valuable time could be used đồ sộ tend crops, care for the family, study or develop small business ideas đồ sộ generate much-needed income.

Road building

D

Without roads, rural communities are extremely restricted. Collecting water and firewood, and going đồ sộ local markets is a huge task, therefore it is understandable that the construction of roads is a major priority for many rural communities. Practical kích hoạt is helping đồ sộ improve rural access/transport infrastructures through the construction and rehabilitation of short rural roads, small bridges, culverts and other transport-related functions. The aim is đồ sộ use methods that encourage community-driven development. This means villagers can improve their own lives through better access đồ sộ markets, health care, education and other economic and social opportunities, as well as bringing improved services and supplies đồ sộ the now-accessible villages.

Driving forward new ideas

E

Practical kích hoạt and the communities we work with are constantly crafting and honing new ideas đồ sộ help poor people. Cycle trailers have practical business use too, helping people carry their goods, such as vegetables and charcoal, đồ sộ markets for sale. Not only that, but those on the poverty-line can earn a decent income by making, maintaining and operating bicycle taxis. With Practical Action’s know-how, Sri Lanka communities have been able đồ sộ start a bus service and maintain the roads along which it travels. The impact has been remarkable. This service has put an kết thúc đồ sộ rural people’s social isolation. Quick and affordable, it gives them a reliable way đồ sộ travel đồ sộ the nearest town; and now their children can get an education, making it far more likely they’ll find a path out of poverty. Practical kích hoạt is also an active thành viên of many national and regional networks through which exchange of knowledge and advocating based on action research are carried out and one conspicuous example is the Lanka Organic Agriculture Movement.

Sky-scraping transport system

F

For people who live in remote, mountainous areas, getting food đồ sộ market in order đồ sộ earn enough money đồ sộ survive is a serious issue. The hills are sánh steep that travelling down them is dangerous. A porter can help but they are expensive, and it would still take hours or even a day. The journey can take sánh long that their goods start đồ sộ perish and become worthless and less. Practical kích hoạt has developed an ingenious solution called an aerial ropeway. It can either operate by gravitation force or with the use of external power. The ropeway consists of two trolleys rolling over tư vấn tracks connected đồ sộ a control cable in the middle which moves in a traditional flywheel system. The trolley at the top is loaded with goods and can take up đồ sộ 120kg. This is pulled down đồ sộ the station at the bottom, either by the force of gravity or by an external power. The other trolley at the bottom is, therefore, pulled upwards automatically. The external power can be produced by a micro-hydro system if access đồ sộ an electricity grid is not an option.

Bringing people on board

G

Practical kích hoạt developed a two-wheeled iron trailer that can be attached (via a hitch behind the seat) đồ sộ a bicycle and be used đồ sộ carry heavy loads (up đồ sộ around 200 kgs) of food, water or even passengers. People can now carry three times as much as before and still pedal the bicycle. The cycle trailers are used for transporting goods by local producers, as ambulances, as mobile shops, and even as mobile libraries. They are made in small village workshops from iron tubing, which is cut, bent, welded and drilled đồ sộ make the frame and wheels. Modifications are also carried out đồ sộ the trailers in these workshops at the request of the buyers. The two-wheeled ‘ambulance’ is made from moulded metal, with standard rubber-tyred wheels. The “bed” section can be padded with cushions đồ sộ make the patient comfortable, while the “seat” section allows a family thành viên đồ sộ attend đồ sộ the patient during transit. A dedicated bicycle is needed đồ sộ pull the ambulance trailer, sánh that other community members bởi not need đồ sộ go without the bicycles they depend on in their daily lives. A joining mechanism allows for easy removal and attachment. In response đồ sộ user comments, a cover has been designed that can be added đồ sộ give protection đồ sộ the patient and attendant in poor weather. Made of treated cốt tông, the cover is durable and waterproof.