CWE 201 Introduction to Highway & Transportation Engineering 2022/2023 Session

History of Highway and Transportation Engineering

The history dates back thousands of years, evolving alongside human civilization's need for
efficient transportation routes.

Ancient Civilizations

Early civilizations, such as the Mesopotamians (ancient Iraq), Egyptians and Romans, constructed
primary road systems for military and trade purposes. These roads were often made from
compacted earth, stones and or gravel.

Ancient Roads

The first mode of human transport is by foot, followed by the use of animals. Subsequently, track
ways were created to accommodate loaded animals, requiring more horizontal and vertical
clearances than walking. This led to the development of harder road surfaces capable of carrying
heavier loads, with ancient civilizations such as the Assyrians constructing such roads around
1900 BC. Ultimately, this evolution paved the way for modern transportation systems by laying
the groundwork for road infrastructure.

Roman roads

Roman roads were recognized for their durability, attributed to the use of good drainage, quality
materials, and skilled workmanship. They were typically constructed on a firm subgrade,
reinforced with wooden piles, and bordered by longitudinal drains. The construction process
involved building a raised formation called the Agger, topped with a sand leveling course to
control moisture in the pavement. Roman roads featured a variety of pavement structures,
including heavy foundation stones for high-traffic areas and thick hexagonal flagstones.
Notably, Roman roads were built straight regardless of gradient, employing innovative
techniques such as mixing lime, volcanic puzzolana, and gravel to create concrete,
demonstrating their engineering prowess and lasting impact on road construction. The roads
radiate through Rome, which facilitated travel across Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa.
Typical section is shown below;

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CWE 201 Introduction to Highway & Transportation Engineering 2022/2023 Session

French roads

Road construction during Napoleon's reign saw a significant development, particularly through
the contributions of Tresaguet in 1764. Tresaguet introduced a cost-effective method of road
construction, contrasting with the extravagant and ineffective revival of Roman practices. His
approach involved using 200 mm pieces of quarried stone with at least one flat side, compacted
into a trench alongside smaller broken stones to create a level surface. Despite creating drainage
challenges, Tresaguet addressed these issues by prioritizing surface imperviousness, cambering,
and providing deep side ditches. He emphasized the importance of continuous maintenance over
intermittent repairs, advocating for organized maintenance teams covering specific road
sections, ensuring usability at all times. Typical section is shown below;

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CWE 201 Introduction to Highway & Transportation Engineering 2022/2023 Session

British roads

The British government, recognizing the importance of road construction, saw significant
advancements under the engineering innovations of John Macadam. Macadam introduced a
groundbreaking scientific method for road construction, emphasizing the crucial role of stone
size in his approach. Through empirical observation, he determined that compacted layers of
250 mm broken angular stone provided optimal strength and stiffness, surpassing expensive
pavements made of large stone blocks. Macadam's method revolutionized road construction by
offering a more economical approach. Although the mechanical interlock between stone pieces
initially provided strength, abrasion from inter-particle friction posed a challenge. Macadam
addressed this by introducing high-quality finer material, creating a well-graded mix that
improved durability, permeability, and ease of compaction, further enhancing the effectiveness
of road surfaces. Typical section is shown below;

Modern roads

Modern roads use the Macadam's technique, with the use of bituminous and cement concrete
for durable pavement constructions. Due to technological advancement in construction, modern
equipment is used for faster road development, alongside the testing of locally available materials
for cost-effective solutions. Discussions on modern road structures is as follows;

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CWE 201 Introduction to Highway & Transportation Engineering 2022/2023 Session

Road structure

A road structure simply refers to the layers of materials used for the construction of a road
pavement. The composition of the road structure comprises of the following components;

1. Surface/Wearing Course
2. Base Course
3. Sub Base
4. Sub Grade

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