This paper provides insights into the current state of the management of unsealed earth and aggregate roads, with a particular emphasis on rural counties of the American West. As part of an effort to develop a methodology for the management of unsealed roads, considerable information about unsealed roads management practices both in the United States and abroad was compiled. The results of two recent surveys also help describe the current state of roadway management by smaller agencies. Legal, accounting, technical, and financial barriers to improving unsealed roads management are discussed, along with ways these problems may be overcome.
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