Africa-Press – Rwanda. Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) on April 17 acquired a high-tech scanner for monitoring road quality.
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The machine, known as the “Roughometer IV device”, was provided by the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA).
The NCTTCA is a regional intergovernmental organisation in East Africa that coordinates transport and trade along the Northern Corridor, one of the most important trade routes in the region.
The Roughometer IV will improve road maintenance planning through accurate, data-driven insights,
The authority was established by East African Community (EAC) partner states to implement and oversee the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Agreement, a treaty designed to improve the movement of goods and people across countries.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Canoth Manishimwe, welcomed the road scanner, saying it will help supervise newly constructed roads.
The Roughometer IV is a compact, vehicle-mounted device that measures how smooth or rough a road is while driving, essentially a “road health scanner”.
As a vehicle moves, the device collects real-time data on road conditions, helping engineers quickly identify damaged or deteriorating sections that require maintenance.
John Deng Diar Diing, Executive Secretary of the NCTTCA, said the equipment had previously been available but broke down, necessitating replacement.
“The government is building roads. Therefore, when this equipment failed, and given how closely we work with the government of Rwanda, we felt it was appropriate to provide support,” he said.
How the scanner operates
“The equipment is mounted on a truck; you drive it along the road and back, and it provides data on the road’s condition. It measures what is known as the International Roughness Index (IRI). If the IRI is between one and three, the road condition is good. If it is between four and six, repairs are needed,” he said.
John Deng Diar Diing, Executive Secretary of the NCTTCA, said the equipment had previously been available but broke down, necessitating replacement
Without such equipment, he noted, the government may lack the data required to make informed decisions on resource allocation.
“The importance of this equipment is that it provides real-time data, enabling the government to prioritise road rehabilitation effectively. Otherwise, decisions may be arbitrary or based on sentiment rather than evidence,” he added.
He pointed out supports evidence-based decision-making.
“Rwanda is performing very well in infrastructure development and rehabilitation. Currently, about 98% of Rwanda’s roads are in excellent condition, based on assessments conducted every six months. The remaining 2% are in fair condition, none are classified as poor within the Northern Corridor network.”
The 98% figure refers specifically to roads designated for Northern Corridor logistics, approximately 960 kilometres in total. These include routes such as Gatuna–Kigali, Rusumo–Kigali, and Kigali–Karongi, of which 98% are in very good condition.
The regional network is also developing logistics hubs along the corridor to bring goods closer to Rwanda’s borders.
For example, in Naivasha, Kenya, the Northern Corridor is supporting the development of an inland container depot (ICD). Goods can be transported directly from the Port of Mombasa to Naivasha by rail.
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