REVIEW OF THE MAJOR FACTORS INFLUENCING ROAD DEVELOPMENT DURING THE XXTH CENTURY

摘要

Taking an international rather than a regional perspective, the paper reviews the majorfactors which have influenced road system development during the XXth century. Whilstmuch of this development might be attributed to the introduction and subsequentwidespread use of motorised vehicles, the paper discusses a range of other social, culturaland technical factors which also played significant roles. It begins by examining theinherited momentum of the XIXth century, establishes road-related social conditions andtechnological development at the beginning of the XXth century, and then exploressubsequent changes. It focuses on overall trends but also nominates specific events andiconic occasions. The paper observes that the car powered by internal-combustion (IC)engines burst on the scene like a new puppy, with limitless energy and with little care forthe consequences of its leaps and bounds. The paper concludes that the XXth century hasput the IC engine to magnificent and extensive use and that, after a century, the currentgeneration have learnt how to civilise the car and the truck, although many of theselessons have yet to be put into universal practice.