The Highway and Its Development

THE HIGHWAY AND
ITS DEVELOPMENT
MEMBERS:
ANGELO I. ALCALA
HIS-HE PRYCIAN J. TAER
JULIE MAE O. TORMENTO
MARIEL B. PAJA
BRIEF HISTORY OF ROADS
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 food and trade of goods between
neighboring towns and cities.
Early roads with hard surfaces were found in the land of
Mesopotamia. These roads were constructed as early as 3,500
B.C. Another stone surface roads were also found in the
Mediterranean island of Crete, similarly constructed as those in the
Western Hemisphere by the Mayans, Aztecs and the Incas of
Central South America.
The Romans, who discovered cement, expanded their vast empire

through extensive road networks radiating in many directions from
the capital city of Rome. Many of the roads built by the Romans still
exist even after 2,000 years.
CHARACTERISTICALLY, ROMANS ROADS WERE
LAID ON THREE COURSES
1. A layer of small broken stones.
2. Followed by layer of small stones mixed with mortar
and then compacted firmly.
3. Wearing course of massive stone blocks properly set
and bedded with cement mortar.
Jerome Tresaguet (1716 – 1796)
- The famous French Engineer introduced new methods of construction and
maintenance of stone roads.
- He improved the crown, the drainage, and the grade of the road, including
the stone foundation by reducing the depth of broken stones to 25 cm.
- Father of modern road building.
Thomas Telford (1757 – 1834)
- 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 was made of stones having 3 inches minimum
thickness, 5 inches breadth and 7 inches height.
John Louden Mac Adam (1755 – 1836)
- The Macadam road concept has been introduced.
Eli Blake (1858)
- Invented the first stone crusher.
Aveling and Porter (1858)
- Steam roller weighing 30 tons was introduced in France.
EARLY LAWS THAT REGULATES ROADWAY
The early Saxon Laws imposes three mandatory duties for the
people to perform, namely:
1. To repair the roads and bridges.
2. To repair the castles and the garrisons.
3. To aid repel invasions.
HIGHWAYS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Early 1900
- Transportation in the country depended largely on trails, waterways, railroad,
earth roads and partially graveled roads.
- Highway at that time is nothing more than a dream to most Filipinos.
- The American government initiated the development of roadways.
- The Macadam road type was introduced.
After Second World War
- New independent government continued the rehabilitation and construction
of roads and bridges, through the reparations and war damages paid by the
Japanese Government.
- US financial grants and aids were used in the construction and rehabilitation
of roads and bridges.
Fifty years later
- Major highways and expressways were constructed through the financial
assistance and loans from foreign banks.
- Vehicles of various types and sizes started flooding the roadways.
- According to Land Transportation, more than 80,000 brand new vehicles
were added to their lists every year.
- DPWH must open 400 km new roads every year.
Year 1960 to early part of 1980
- Considered an automobile age.
- Road construction becomes a matter of priority under the slogan “This
nation is on wheels”
PLANNING DIFFICULTIES
Engineers are conscious of the need for roadways to be safe,
useful, and attractive. This needs include improvement of the
roadside, erosion control, and noise abatement. They are aware of
the fact that highways are vital to the country’s development.
Unfortunately, highway planners are confronted with problems
categorized as follows:
1. Financial
2. Political
3. Technical
HIGHWAY PROGRAMMING
Three inseparable sets of inputs involved in highway programming.
1. Economic – Deals with the questions of resources.
2. Financial – The question of who pays and who spends, how
much, and where?
3. Political and Administration – This involves decision making.
THE PLANNER
Where planners act as coordinators, catalysts or to work as
community advocates, should not be either partisan or advocate to
a particular solution. Their role is:
1. To provide technical and organizational support.
2. To receive input or information on the needs and goals of
affected persons group or agencies.
3. Incorporate the above for planning and making decision.
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE PLANNERS ARE
1. To prepare preliminary design, scoop of study and the initial
work program. Know the basic needs, plan and objectives of
affected persons.
2. Exploration of alternatives. Data gathering by contacting the
representatives of other agencies involved.
3. Detailed analysis. Prepare detailed plan for appropriate
community interaction.
4. Secure formal ratification from the local officials and have the
results documented. If nothing goes wrong, this step is
considered final.

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THE HIGHWAY AND

The Romans, who discovered cement, expanded their vast empire

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