Theme 2: Around Town
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Activity 1: Adela Valley Highway
Patrick Young and David Hernandez
If you ask a longtime resident of your neighborhood what the town was like 30 or 40 years ago, they will tell you that there were a lot of empty spaces or fields. Ask them if they are happy with the numerous homes, businesses, roads, ... Read More
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Activity 2: Cost Analysis
Patrick Young and David Hernandez
The unit cost of highway construction varies tremendously, but state departments of transportation often publish estimates. For this activity, we assume that a four-lane divided highway will cost $5 million per mile across flat farmland.
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Activity 3: Navigation
Patrick Young and David Hernandez
Highways of the future will be more than ribbons of concrete and asphalt. They will have an information infrastructure that includes sensors, computers, and wireless connection with the computers in every moving vehicle. In the same way that people are connected by the internet, vehicles ... Read More
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Activity 4: High Visibility Signs
Patrick Young
Highway signage has evolved over time in response to driving habits and advances in automotive technology and materials science. Although most informational signs have a nondescript appearance, the microscopic structure of their surfaces is complex. Many competing designs attempt to provide advantages when illuminated by ... Read More
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Activity 5: Slow Down, Curves Ahead
David Hernandez and Peg Steffen
Highway curves are banked so the outside edge of the roadway is elevated above the inside edge. This provides additional centripetal force to keep the car on the road and following the proper path. The faster a car is moving, the more banking it will need.