See Also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shudao https://www.newcivilengineer.com/archive/chinas-ancient-road...
Roman roads relied on thickness and rigidity, and sometimes needed excavations up to 2m deep. This meant they were long lasting but allowed nothing for temperature induced expansion or contraction. They were consequently prone to surface fissuring and uneven drainage.
The Chinese roads, on the other hand, were more akin to modern highways, being thinner and more elastic. They were built with a rubble sub-base onto which a layer of finely tamped gravel was added to produce a 'water- bound macadam'.
Obviously they were paved, but as I now understand it they were far simpler than the several layers I’d seen in history picture books in primary school! Otherwise the amount of material even a short stretch of road would need would be utterly impracticably huge.
( There's always going to be that vast length of bog, to long to justify going around, that needs crossing )
The main point here is that other large road systems existed at the same time as Roman roads.
I tend to think "stick to straight lines" was more pragmatic genius than a curse. Doable with tools available for surveying of the time, easy to communicate to staff and labour.
Modern Australian roads in the bush have inexplicable kinks, 100km of direct, then a bend. I think Fred on the tractor got bored.
Or long stretches of monotonous driving can cause people to'self hypnotize' and 'zone out', so a bit of 'variety' very so often may help with alertness.
See perhaps:
> The Autovía del Olivar which unites Úbeda with Estepa in Andalucia in southern Spain. A geometric design saved on construction costs and improved visibility with the intention to reduce the likelihood of traffic incidents
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometric_design_of_roads
Also maybe:
* https://ssti.us/2019/10/28/more-sharp-curves-make-roads-safe...
car•7mo ago
https://celtic-fields.com
gerdesj•7mo ago