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There’s a Keystone in every great invention.

Roadways & Tunnels and their Electronics

Flashing lights, orange cones, cement parking lots, fender benders and traffic delays, all marking the start and end of summer vacations are a familiar sight. Whether heading to the beach, mountains or the airport, we’ve all faced detours and inconvenient work zones in our quest for a getaway.

As we reminisce about Route 66 and pre-Interstate highways, it’s worth noting how our roads and tunnel needs have evolved over the centuries, along with the technology to keep civilization moving as efficiently as possible.

Ancient Routes 

Known road construction dates to 4000 BC, with log trackways found in the UK and cobblestone roads in modern-day Iraq. The first known brick-paved roads appeared in India around 3000 BC, coinciding with the emergence of wheeled transport.

The Romans were famous for their vast infrastructure, maintaining 53,000 miles of road across three continents. Many of these ancient roads still form part of modern highway systems in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Roman roads were typically 12-24 feet wide, allowing for animal-drawn carts to pass unimpeded. Their durability came from 5-8 feet of foundation and surface, with three foundational courses topped by stone or lava, and a flat concrete surface made from volcanic ash and lime.

Roman roads introduced features we still use today, such as the crowned center to prevent water pooling, and sidewalks with raised curbs for mounting horses or loading carriages.

Running The Rails 

The Industrial Revolution brought self-propelled travel with early steam locomotives. Railways, like Roman roads, were built in straight lines, and required a means to bypass natural obstacles. While tunnels had existed for centuries, the 1820s saw Marc and Isambard Brunel construct the Thames Tunnel, 75 feet under the River Thames in London. Marc Brunel’s Tunnelling Shield overcame obstacles in soft clay and sand, providing support between excavation and permanent structure lining.

By the time the Thames Tunnel was modified for railway use, several railroad tunnels were already operating in the United States. The Park Avenue Tunnel in New York City is believed to be the oldest continually used railroad tunnel globally, having opened in 1832.

Taking The Low Road

Mass automobile production in the early 20th Century ensured roads and rails would compete for transportation needs. Much like the railroad, authorities constructing new roads came to the conclusion that sometimes you just need to go through, or underneath, an obstacle. 

Brunel’s Tunnelling Shield led to the modern day Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). One of Brunel’s earlier commissions was to survey the English Channel in the hope of linking Britain and France. As early as 1802, plans were drawn for a bored tunnel with ventilation chimneys to allow horse-drawn carriages to roam between Britain and post-revolutionary France.

In 1990 that vision was realized as British and French teams broke through 128-feet under the Channel. Armed with 11 TBMs and an array of GPS and optical surveying equipment, the two teams managed to only offset by 14-inches as they bored the two sections from Folkestone and Calais.

Ditching The Diversions

Modern technology plays a crucial role in efficiently building and maintaining roads and tunnels. Unlike durable Roman roads, modern asphalt roads are less long-lasting. Developments in self- healing concrete and recycled plastics aim to reduce damage from heavy use and adverse weather.

Increased use of artificial intelligence and data in project timing and weather forecasting should help reduce unnecessary road closures. Contractors now use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), GPS, and ground-penetrating radar for surveying new areas and monitoring existing infrastructure deterioration.

Smart road features involving the integration of smart technologies, such as dynamic paint, glow-in-the-dark markings, and anti-icing roads, help to improve safety and visibility.

Data and AI integration is using robotics, artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing to enhance construction efficiency and safety, allowing for better communication and management of road projects.

Maintenance and Monitoring

Drones are being used for land survey, project execution, security improvements and waste monitoring. Drones provide real-time site inspection and collect useful data for mapping. Sensors and infrared detectors monitor road conditions, enabling timely maintenance and repairs.

These technologies collectively represent a significant shift towards more efficient, sustainable, and safe road construction practices, reflecting the industry's adaptation to modern challenges and opportunities.

As we continue to innovate in road and tunnel construction, these technological advancements promise more efficient, durable, and safer transportation infrastructure for future generations.

A wide range of Keystone products are utilized in the construction of roads and tunnel including ground penetrating radar systems, road signs, safety signs, surveying devices, GPS systems, lights on construction helmets and flashlights to name a few.