Europe to be explored by everyone
Transnational road usage has grown immense in the first half of the past century, increasing tourist flows resulted in large traffic jams. [1]
Since the mass production of cars started around 1905 [2], they became a common way of transport for the citizens. As the photo shows, doctor Karl Løken took a trip with his family, driving the first mass-produced car. Ever since tourism took a broader shape, in which people travelled not only surrounded villages, but through several nations in Europe.
Because of that the former roads could not suffice anymore, they were overloaded. Before WWII, companies shaped tourism through Europe by tourist guides for example. In the years after the war these companies and car clubs merged to organisations, the International Road Federation (IRF) and the World Road Association (PIARC).
PIARC’s engineers were tasked to report and advise how roads should be changed to create the best/safest inter-urban connections, as the organisation cooperated with the governments to create sufficient connections, which formed the basis for the E-road network. [3,4].
A few years later plans were made to create a European road network by building new roads, combining and renewing former roads and road aspect standardization. This is where the E-road network started to take its shape.
How to cite this page
'Europe to be explored by everyone', Inventing Europe, http://www.inventingeurope.eu/story/europe-to-be-explored-by-everyone
Sources
1. Schipper, Frank - "Driving Europe - Building Europe on roads in the twentieth century" August 14th, 2008
From this thesis, I found that in the beginning of the century companies like Shell had big influence in tourism. Also that companies founded international road organisations to create European standards.
2. Bruins Slot, Rob; “Een auto voor iedereen: Honderd jaar T-Ford”. Andere Tijden, Octobre 16th, 2009
Accessed: 30th of November 2013
An article about the history of the Ford Model T. This was the first mass-produced car on an assembly line.
3. Mom, Gijs - “PIARC and History” Routes/Roads Magazine N° 335, 2007
The article reveals that it has become more and more important that the history of networks and infrastructures is analysed and applied in today’s decisions on these subjects.
4. PIARC Technical Committees
http://www.piarc.org/en/Technical-Committees-World-Road-Association/
Accessed: 4th of December 2013
The page about the experts of PIARC, what their tasks are and how this should affect the road network. Used to find how the PIARC deals with the road governance.
