What makes roads

What about concrete roads? Ask an adult to drive you around the area where you live to look for the different types of road construction you can find.

If possible, drive to a rural area with no traffic. Get out and examine a section of road. Pay particular attention to the edges of the road. Can you see the layers it's composed of?

Can you find any areas that need repair? Did you know that making asphalt is kind of like baking a cake? You need the right amounts of the proper ingredients, and then you need to mix them and heat them up!

Learn more about the process of making asphalt by learning how an asphalt plant works! Wouldn't it be cool to see asphalt being made up close? Summarize what you learned about the process for a friend or family member. Up for a challenge? Head over to Interesting Engineering to learn how artificial intelligence may be used to build the roads of the future!

What do you think of this idea? Write a letter or email to a friend or family member explaining your thoughts. Did you get it? Test your knowledge. Wonder Words overpasses foundation construction complex environmental asphalt contractors entities lifespan Take the Wonder Word Challenge. Join the Discussion. Josh G Feb 12, Feb 12, Jared cervantes Oct 10, Lolzs1 Oct 30, I am planning ro make a road near my house private land and iam wondering how to make it is there anywhere i can find the answer.

Nov 1, TJ Feb 5, I didn't have school today! Wonderopolis Feb 5, Bruder's Class Feb 5, What we learned: Jenna - I learned that there are many different layers in road. I thought it was only dirt and rocks and then road. Michael - I learned that there are cuts in the road so the road doesn't crack when it expands or contracts.

Hollis - I learned you shouldn't do this at home! Questions: Aidan - What are atomic structures of concrete and asphalt? Which elements make up concrete and asphalt? Sierra - Do they make roads out of tar? Kenzie - How long does it take to build an overpass? Prediction: Malak - I think tomorrow's wonder is French Fries!

Amaia - I think tomorrow's wonder is Hair! Jacob - I think tomorrow's wonder is Fur! Girbach's Class Feb 5, We liked learning about how roads were made, we are still wondering How do the trucks not melt from all the hot stuff?

Benji Feb 5, I hope I remember to come back tomorrow. I didn't learn much at all. Ana May 15, I like wonderaples it is fun to read. May 16, Tre Howard Feb 5, Burning Question: How do some roads take about 2 years to make a certain road at a certain area of a highway?

Text to World: At some point don't all roads worldwide have to be fixed, repaired, or renewed. Feb 5, Aaaand Lego Cars! A LINE!!! Evelyn L. That was pretty cool! Now I know how roads are made.

Yes they do, Landons! We are glad that you learned something new today, Wonder Friend! I love your video. I thought it was so cool. Did that take a day. Faith Feb 5, The video was cool because I saw the stuff my dad works with at work.

The fast motion was pretty cool watching. Halie Feb 5, Toren Feb 5, Tucker Feb 5, Trista Feb 5, How did you find this construction area?

I wonder what the next wonder will be? I never knew it took that long to build a road. Your website is very useful. I wonder what the next wonder is? Within a mere century, roads have erected throughout the entire world, paving the way for automotive transportation. Streets have become an inseparable part of every neighborhood and the overall global aesthetic. Have you ever wondered what road surfaces are made out of?

While gravel roads had been an early form of vehicle streets as an improvement over dirt—and still are found in some rural areas—more solid forms have taken over since then, namely asphalt, concrete, and chip seal.

Determining which form of pavement is used on a given road depends on factors like cost, traffic, and weather. Asphalt concrete—also known as flexible pavement, blacktop, or tarmac—has been around for a hundred years but has increased in prevalence in recent decades. San Francisco removed a highway section , called the Central Freeway, that carried nearly , cars per day in The boulevard that replaced it now only carries around 45, daily cars and yet they move.

Perhaps the biggest success story has been in Seoul, South Korea, where the city tore down a highway that was considered a vital roadway corridor, carrying , cars per day. Turn a lane highway into a 1-lane road and you might bring cars to a standstill. Extend that same lane highway to lanes and you might never see traffic again or your city. So what can be done about all this? How could we actually reduce traffic congestion?

Under the communist government, goods were given equally to all, with a central authority setting the price for each commodity. Because that price was often far less than what people were willing to pay for that good, comrades would rush to purchase it, forming lines around the block. The U. And just like the old Soviets, Uncle Sam is giving this commodity away for next to nothing.

Is the solution then to privatize all roads? This means raising the price of driving on a road when demand is high. During rush hour, drivers would have to pay a fee to use the most congested roads. Think about how they sit mostly empty, in the early afternoon, late evening, and at night.

The extra cost of driving would also make public transit a more attractive option, leading to more people using it. Congestion pricing has been tried successfully in places like London, Stockholm, and Singapore.

Other cities are starting to look at it as a solution. Legislators in New York rejected a plan for congestion pricing in New York City in and San Francisco periodically toys with introducing the idea in downtown. The problem? Nobody wants to pay for something that was previously free, even if it would be in their best interests to do so.