HIGHWAY ENGINEERING/TRANSPORTATION

Role of Transportation:

• The evolution and advancements in transportation facilities have been closely linked with the development of human being throughout the history of the world. Transportation contributes to the economic, industrial, social, and cultural development of any country. Transportation is vital for the economic development of any region since every commodity produced, whether it is an agricultural or industrial product needs to be transported at various stages from production to distribution.

•  At the production stage, transportation is required for carrying raw materials like seeds, manure, coal, steel, machines, component parts, etc. At the distribution stage, transportation is required from the production centers like the farms and factories to the marketing centers and later to the retailers and to the consumers. 

• Inadequate transportation facilities retard the process of socioeconomic and cultural development of the country. The development of an adequate transportation system in a country indicates its economic growth and progress in social development.

In the present day concept, the main objective of a good transportation system is to provide a safe, economical, efficient transportation facilities for the travel of passengers and transportation of goods.

Economic Activity and Transport

Economic activities are the processes in which the products are utilized to satisfy human needs.  Two important factors well known in economic activity are:

• Production or supply 
• Consumption for human wants or demand

The people, their products, and the natural resources of the locality are not bound to the local surroundings. The importance of transportation in economic activity has its effect on meeting the demand for goods and also by enhancing the efficiency of production and distribution. Increased productivity of various items such as agricultural and industrial products and their distribution through efficient transportation systems can lower the cost of the products. The cost of transportation substantially influences the consumer price of the commodities.

1. Different Modes of Transportation
2. Geometric Design
3. Highway Materials
4. Pavement Design
5. Highway Construction
6. Highway Maintenance