Publisher's Synopsis
The creation of the UK motorway network in the second half of the 20th century facilitated a dramatic improvement in the mobility of people and goods and contributed greatly to the prosperity enjoyed today. The Key coverage: recounts the many attempts to promote substantial road improvement and new road planning in the first half of the 20th century. It includes: a reprint of Sir Frederick Cook's seminal report along with other papers reflecting the altered attitude to motorways; an account of Harold Watkinson's contribution, who, though not the first to announce a motorway, did more than most Ministers of Transport to initiate the motorway programme; economic appraisal and forecasting techniques used; the technical problems that had to be mastered in the persistent search for better value for money; how the Transport Research Laboratory contributed to better safety through its interest in engineering, materials and design. A chapter is devoted to geometric design.
