Roads
What is a road ?
Road design
Jobs and the economy
Road policy
Roads are used by millions of drivers who often know absolutely nothing about road design, construction and operation. It might be useful for those who are eager to critize the shortcomings of roads to understand how they work so they can be more appreciative.
A road is characterized by the dimensions of its carriageway, its structure, the characteristics of the wearing course and the number of traffic lanes.
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Construction of the A6 motorway (Photo : DREIF)
Once the decision to construct a road has been taken, there are several stages to the project. These may be successive or simultaneous and involve amany parties and a large number of studies.
Central government is responsible for the network of trunk roads and conceded motorways. County roads and local roads are the responsibility of the Départements and Communes.
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Access to an industrial and commercial zone (rights reserved)
Roads are needed in order to exchange the products and know-how that are essential for development. This is why those parts of the world which are undergoing rapid economic growth have large road and motorway construction programmes. The two largest road construction companies in the world, which are both French, are involved in some of these programmes. Roads are a dynamic sector of the economy that provides jobs.
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Developing the network to serve users at national and local levels (DR)
Roads account for more than 90% of passenger transport and 75% of freight transport. Roads are the most flexible transport infrastructure. Central government is responsible for planning the network of motorways and major roads in a way that is integrated with other transport modes.
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The Streets
A 28 Motorway
Matérials and Machinery
PLace Gabriel Péri near the Gare Saint Lazare in Paris at the beginning of the 20th century (Photo Direction de la Voirie Mairie de Paris)
The street is an illuminated urban road often lined with trees and with buildings on either side. All types of personal and public transport share this space. Transport facilities, energy and water distribution and telecommunications networks can be located underground
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The A 28 motorway (rights reserved)
The A28 Alençon, Le Mans - Tours motorway belongs to the generation of motorways which play a regional planning role. This is because the road has a dual function. Firstly it provides local access within the areas it passes through. Secondly, it plays a transit role, at national level providing a transverse link without passing through Paris, and at European level improving access to northern Europe and the Iberian Peninsula.
The information on the following pages provides an essentially practical account of the construction of a section of this (...)
Earthworks and laying materials (Photo : F CHILLARD)
Building a road requires a large variety of materials and equipment which are used to manufacture and lay the mixes used in the different pavement layers.
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Research and innovation
Road, discovery and leisure
A43 & Environment
Use of GPS for driving assistance (Rights reserved)
Continual research is required to develop innovative techniques that will better satisfy the needs of road users and residents and provide a high level safety.
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Escape (Rights reserved)
The road has played a dominant role in opening up to all members of the community the new opportunites that have been created by the development of the automobile and has become a symbol of relaxation and freedom. The road opens the way for tourism.
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The lake of Les Hurtières with the motorway beside it (Rights reserved)
The A43 motorway (La Maurienne) is an example of sustainable development and shows how a motorway can make a valley beautiful and attractive.
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