Description
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.

Key coverage

• Recounts the many attempts to promote substantial road improvement and new road planning in the first half of the 20th century
• 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
• Chapter devoted to geometric design

Contents

• Visualising the system - insights into the history of Britain's motorway
• The economic justification for and delivery of affordable motorways
• Orientation of motorways
• Resolving issues in the design and construction of motorways
• The influence of science and technology within motorway policy
• Safety provision
• Administration
• Direction of policy towards the future
• Technical appendices