Road Education

Progress, Volume XII, Issue 8, 1 April 1917, Page 920

Road Education

By B. J. B. STONERING, M.E.

The increasing general interest being shown in road building throughout the United States, and the wholesale demand for better constructed and hard surfaced roads have called for more cooperation among the different communities and organizations interested in this line of work. In fact, no other single subject has more of a vital personal interest to every inhabitant of any country. Stated briefly, tin' cost of living is considerably affected by the expense of hauling and delivering produce to the markets, and to the consumer. Do bad roads lower hauling costs? Who pays for this hauling ultimately f Ask yourself these pertinent questions.

The latest impetus on a large scale has been' the addition of Federal aid, which has called for a closer co-operation between municipal, county, state and government officials. It will lead to more logical planning of methods of construction, selection of routes, and. a more comprehensive programme of building and systems of maintenance.

The magnitude of the movement and work to be undertaken require a thorough knowledge of the different types of construction, so that the most modern methods may be selected and the greatest amount of good permanent work" done at the least cost. There has been so much "hit-and-miss" road building, that a great deal of the work simply results in a total loss. By close co-operation among road officials, and the better education of the general public on road subjects, it is hoped that every dollar spent will bring its full value in actual comprehensive beneficial results.

Among the latest means taken to further the educational side of road construction and maintenance is the road building moving picture film. This method, taken from actual construction scenes, shows the very latest up-to-date road building methods and has for its object the education of the general public, enabling them to talk' and work intelligently on road subjects, thus lending their cooperation and aid in this most vital movement for the building up and progress of the whole nation.