8. Sizing low-traffic pavements

The sizing method for new pavements established for the national road network, as you have just described it, is ill-suited to very low-traffic pavements. Such pavements are mainly used by local authorities, and are characterized by a wide variety of project owners and design strategies, both in terms of design life and accepted level of risk. They are also characterized by the concern of project owners and contractors to make maximum use of local materials (natural materials or recyclable waste), of very diverse qualities and origins.

Lastly, freezing and thawing must be taken into account in different terms, as thaw barriers can often be installed, even for non-exceptionally severe winters.

It was for these reasons that Sétra and LCPC devoted a special reference document to them, the "Manuel de conception des chaussées neuves à faible...