Book excerpt: Roads provide a key element of the infrastructure whose function it is to promote economic activity and improve the standard of living of the population. The highway engineer is concerned with the provision of a safe, stable and durable surface over which traffic may move. engineers and architects involved in highway planning and engineering, looks at the importance of highway construction and maintenance. The text is fully illustrated throughout with diagrams and tables, and the text includes references and further reading lists at the end of each chapter. The topics covered include design codes, highway construction materials, pavement foundation, bases and surfaces, temporary roads, highway drainage and hydraulic design, repair techniques and maintenance.