The Jasper news., 1917-05-31

Well-DdidnCeu anu experienced JUG
ment regarding the relative Importance
Of the various details involved Is a
much more valuable asset in undertake
ing to locate road than mere techni-
cal skill in handling surveying instru-
ments. No knowledge gained from
books alone can give that complete
grasp Of the relations existing between
a public road and the community 1t
serves which is 80 necessary II the
location and design of the road are to
secure the greatest possible good from
the money expended.
In locating or relocating public
road the prime considerations should
be, first, the comfort and convenience
Of the travelling public which 1t is in
tended to accommodate, and, second,
the economy of public funds. The first
consideration fixes the general location
Of the road and limits such details of
design and layout as affect the safety
and comfort of travellers. The second
should control the detailed working
out Of location to suit the topography
or surface layout of the region through
which the road passes, with due re-
gard for such features Of the design
as affect the cost of construction, of
maintenance and of hauling over the
completed road.
The comfort and convenience Of
travellers, requires, first, that the road
pass conveniently close to the dwell
ing places Of those for whose particu-
lar use 1t is built; second, that it be
free from dangerous curves and grades
and sufficiently wide for safe travel /;
and, third, that the surface be such as
to remain reasonably firm and smooth
and to become neither very dusty nor
very muddy under any combination Of
weather and traffic conditions. The
extent to which any particular road
must meet these requirements depends,
of course, on the state of public senti-
ment in the community which pays for
the road. But in most communities 1t
is safe to assume that the standards of
excellence as regards the accommoda-
ton demanded of public roads will be
raised rather than lowered.
Location Of Roads.
A few general rules regarding the To-
cation and design of public roads may
be stated briefly as follows:
1. Avoid sharp curves in the road,
because such curves are n menace to
traffic. On light grades and level
stretches the location should be prefer
! ably such that traveller may see at
least two or three hundred feet ahead
from any point on the road, and on
| sleeper grades this distance should be
increased If automobile traffic Is to be
reasonably safe.
2. Provide ample width for vehicles
Travelled way.
8. Bear in mind that If a road ever
becomes of any considerable impor-
lance, its users probably will demand
that all the sleeper grades be reduced
to the lowest maximum that would
conform to the general topography of
the region which the road traverses.
| A. Avoid all unnecessary distance,
Aside from the advantages to traffic
Of short route, each mile of addl-
tiopal road involves considerable
extra yearly expense for maintenance
and this consideration alone may war.
rant considerable expense in shorten.
| ing the route when the road is con.
structed, provided that the decrease In
distance does not materially increase
the steepness of the grades.
8. Regard land lines only in 30 far