Roads provide dependable pathways for moving people and goods from one place to another. They range in quality from dirt paths to concrete-paved multilane highways. Roads are used by various forms of transportation, such as trucks, automobiles, buses, motorcycles, and bicycles. Roads allow trucks to move goods from points of production, such as fields and factories, directly to markets and shopping centers.
Private individuals rely on roads for safe and efficient automobile, motorcycle, and bicycle travel.
Fire departments, medical services, and other government agencies depend on an organized system of roads to provide emergency services to the public in times of need. The earliest roads evolved from animal paths and served as trails for early hunters. Paths eventually grew around primitive settlements, and as trade grew, longer routes were developed to transport food and other important materials. The use of wheeled vehicles encouraged construction of better roads. The roads built by the ancient Romans were carefully planned and solidly constructed.