cross section of a road![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Road: thoroughfare connecting two geographical points, usually urban centers.
solid line ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Line demarcating the edge of the roadway or, when in the center of the roadway, indicating that passing is prohibited.
broken line ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Line demarcating the two lanes of the roadway and showing that passing is permitted.
subgrade ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Layer supporting the base course and the subbase and providing drainage.
slope ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Steeply sloped ground between the ditch and the bank and between the ditch and the shoulder.
ditch ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Ditch parallel to the roadway; surface water drains into it.
subbase ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Base of a roadway, made up of coarse compacted gravel, making the roadway solid and stable.
bank ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Natural land along the edge of the road.
base course ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Top foundation layer, made up of fine compacted material; the driving surface lies on it.
shoulder ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Area between the roadway and the ditch, providing the roadway lateral support; it is also a place for emergency stops.
bed ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Composed of the embankment and the earth foundation; the base rests on it.
earth foundation ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Part of the ground that was not excavated during the road’s construction.
embankment ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Layers of material used to build up or level the route the road is to take.
base ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Series of layers above the embankment reducing stress exerted by the traffic and preventing the bed from deforming.
surface course ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Roadway’s driving surface; it is smooth, impermeable and provides a good grip for vehicles.
roadway ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Surface upon which vehicles drive.