UNIT I: INTRODUCTION

The early road systems were constructed primarily for the following purposes:

1. For the movement of armies in their conquest and for defense against invasion.

2. For transport of foods and trade of goods between neighboring town and cities.

THE ROMANS – who discovered cement

JEROME TRESAGUET (1716-1796) – famous French Engineer introduced new methods of

construction and Maintenance of stone roads. He improved the crown, the drainage and the grade
of road, including the stone foundation by reducing the depth of broken stones to 25 centimeters.
Tresaguet made it possible for Napoleon to build the massive highways of France, He was accredited
The title “Father of Modern Road Building.”

THOMAS TELFORD (1757-1834) – A Scottish Engineer born in Westminster Abbey, president and
founder of the Institute of Civil Engineer, introduced some improvements in the construction
Methods of Jerome Tresaguet. The road foundation course of Telford was made of stones having 3
inches minimum thickness, 5 inches breadth and 7 inches height. Smaller stones were driven by
mauls on top voids and trued the surface by breaking the projecting points. Telford employed a flat
sub-grade, providing slight crown using stones of varying sizes.

THE MACADAM ROAD CONCEPT named after JOHN LOUDEN MAC ADAM – another famous Scottish
Engineer road builder and Cotemporary of Telford, was developed and widely accepted.

In 1858, ELI BLAKE – invented the first stone crusher and at the same period, a steam road roller
weighing 30 tons was introduced In France by its inventor, AVELING and PORTER.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS/FUNCTIONS OF TRANSPORTATION:

1. Extensive Market:
2. Mobility of Labor and Capital
3. Specialization and Division of Labor
4. Economies of Large-Scale Production
5. Stability in Prices
6. Benefits to Consumers
7. Employment Opportunities and Increase in the National Income
8. Discouragement to Monopoly
9. Development of Agriculture
10. Industrial Development
11. Increase in National Wealth

SOCIAL BENEFITS/FUNCTIONS OF TRANSPORTATION:

1. Discovery of New Lands

2. Diffusion of population
3. High Standard of Living
4. Mutual Understanding
5. Ability to Face Natural Calamities
6. Broadens the Outlook of the People
7. Destroys Ignorance
POLITICAL BENEFITS/FUNCTIONS OF TRANSPORTATION:

1. National Unity, Integration and Peace

2. National Defense
3. Political Awakening
4. Source of Revenue

DIFFERENT MODES OF TRANSPORTATION

Mode of transport - is a term used to distinguish between different ways of Transportation or

transporting people or goods.

TRANSPORTATION - is used for moving of people, animals, and other goods from one place to
another.

THE MEANS OF TRANSPORT - refers to the (motorized) vehicles necessary for transport according to
the chosen mode (car, airplane, ship, truck and rail)

1. Animal-powered Transport – the use of working animals for the transport of people and/or
goods. Humans may use some of the animals directly, use them as pack animals for carrying
goods, or harness them, alone or in teams, to pull sleds or wheeled vehicles.
2. Air Transport – the fastest method of transport, Commercial jets reach speeds of up to 955
kilometers per hour (593 mph) and a considerably higher ground speed if there is a jet
stream tailwind, while piston powered general aviation aircraft may reach up to 555
kilometers per hour (345 mph) or more.
3. Human Powered Transportation