Drainage

Abstract

The importance of adequate drainage was realised by Roman road builders, but after the decline of the Roman Empire the standard of highway construction in Europe declined and planned drainage became almost non-existent. With the advent of industrialisation increasing attention was paid to the removal of surface water and the lowering of the water-table beneath the pavement. In the United Kingdom the pioneer road-building of Telford and Macadam laid stress on the incorporation of a camber or crown into the road so that surface water could be quickly removed. Increasing urban development made open ditches inappropriate and led to the increasing use of road gulleys connected to road sewers as the means of removing surface water. Improvements in the quality of road materials have resulted in impervious pavements, making the problem of sub-soil usually greatest in the cuttings, where cut-off drainage is required.