2006-09-02 06:03:54 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Putting curves in roads allows the road to follow the terrain's contours more easily, avoiding washes and the like. Roman roads like the Via Appia were straight because the Romans had no way to plot curves, in other words, they HAD to make them straight. Also, they do change direction, they do not simply go staright as an arrow, but they way they did it was by sudddenly angling the road in a new direction.
2006-09-02 06:59:12 · answer #1 · answered by Harry 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that it might have something to do with the fact that there weren't too many properties around when the Romans built their roads, but later there were.
I think that you will also find that quite a few of the Roman roads were bent if they encountered a hill.
The A1, for example, is pretty straight - but what happens to it when it gets past the fen regions?
2006-09-02 13:28:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of the old English roads used by pedestrians either followed contours of the countryside where ancient people had made paths or wound between cultivated fields and existing buildings. Of course, these roads were not built for marching long distances like the Romans, but were normally for local use. Once coaches became more commonplace then roads started to straighten out to accomodate them and make longer journeys quicker.
2006-09-02 13:16:18 · answer #3 · answered by Purple 8 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The romans had slaves to toil away & carve through hills to get directly to their destination. We have to pay workmen so go for the cheaper option of building around obstacles which requires less time and effort.
2006-09-02 13:11:40 · answer #4 · answered by alicepears 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same reason a lot of men are bent . Poof roads !
2006-09-02 13:19:08 · answer #5 · answered by Tracker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Romans, in the process of trying to conquor had to make communications very quick for goods, movement of soldiers and other logistical matters for efficiency.
2006-09-02 13:11:08 · answer #6 · answered by syelark 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of them where I live (SE Wisconsin) follow old indian trails... a straight line is/was not always the easiest way to get someplace taking into consideration the terrain.
2006-09-02 13:06:54 · answer #7 · answered by Jason 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they would have to buy or pay rent to property owners to pave roads through their property, so its easier and cheaper to simply go around private property. For freeways the state government claims common domain in court to buy and take your property even if you don't want to sell if its for the common good.
2006-09-02 13:14:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Romans Ceasars were also As*holes.
The Ceasars were extremely egotistical.
They ordered the builders to make them straight as an arrow without listening to them to see if that was the best way. (which it wasnt.)
2006-09-02 13:12:49 · answer #9 · answered by James F 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. They had the right idea, didn't they.
Future road builders took the easy option, and went around any obstruction in their path!!
2006-09-02 13:24:56 · answer #10 · answered by steve b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋