RoadsBy Edric, Tushaar and Arpit

History (Summary)

• Roads started out as walking tracks/paths for walking and beasts of burden

• In 5000 BC wheels were invented as well as stone paved roads• Better roads than dirt was needed as it was difficult for wheels to travel in a soft surface

• During the Roman age crushed stone paved roads were used• Muddy roads made it difficult for soldiers and transportation to travel through

• The first tar-paved roads were in the Arab empire in the 8th century• Tar was derived from petroleum gotten from the oil fields in the Arab empire regions

• One of the first highways were in 500 BC in Iran created by Darius the Great and was named The Persian Royal Road.

History (in depth)Road transport started out by development of tracks for walking and

beasts of burden. One of the earliest roads was the Natchez Trail which connected 3 rivers in

the United States.Around 5000 BC wheels were invented and the need for better roads

increased. Dirt was not stable enough for wheeled transportation, so stoned paved

roads were developed. During the Roman age, muddy roads reduced the efficiency of transporting

armies and supplies between regions, so roads were paved with crushed stone instead.

One of the first tar-paved roads was in the 8th century in Arab Empire.

Development• Motorways and highways- increase efficiency of long distance journeys

• Speed limits- Increase safety on public roads

• Lane systems- Speed, trucking, bus, cycles- reduce congestion, more efficient

• Petrol stations and rest stops- Allows long distance journeys to be more comfortable

• Mountain or desert roads- Allow for access to less accessible terrain

Advantages• Allows for easier transport of large goods domestically

• Convenient for short journeys

• Less costly than air, sea or train

• Not restricted to fixed locations (can stop along the way)

• Can access extreme climates (desert roads) that cannot be easily accessed by air or sea (lack of sufficient infrastructure)

Costs• Environmental cost- Encourages more cars and takes up lots of land

• Results in more pollution in places (air, light and noise)

• Expensive to build (about US$30 per square yard)

• Ruins landscape- Hills and sceneries

• Limited to regional area

• Takes longer than train/planes