The historical evolution of traffic and traffic signs

When traffic is mentioned, the things that come to mind are roads, inns, caravansaries, bridges and traffic signs and since men existed on earth, they have shown a historical evolution. Roads had been made by huge animals before wheel was invented. The tracks that were made by elephants, buffalos and rhinos were the first roads men had used. Road constructions started with the invention of wheel. Roman roads were the most significant ones. Via Appia is an example to Roman roads. Silk Road and Tea Road are examples in Asia, and Sierra and Lama Roads that belong to Inca Civilization are good examples to those significant roads in South America. In The Middle Ages, after the fall of Roman Empire, there began a decline in transportation as well. During Tudor's time in the 16th century, transportation was still slow and uncomfortable. From the mid- 17th century onwards, stage coaches began to run between big towns. Unfortunately, these coaches were neither affordable nor comfortable due to the lack of leaf springs that absorbed shocks. In the18th century, transport for people and goods by stage coaches and mail coaches had already started, based on regular terms; however, rough and unattended roads were making the journeys difficult. In 19th century, road constructions decreased owing to development of railways. Only the city streets and the road-railway links were given importance to. Towards the end of the century, the invention of bicycle as a new means of transport became a cause of the construction of better roads. Taverns, caravansaries and bridges were needed after roads. Taverns and caravansaries were located either along roads or just nearby. Bridges were constructed to join roads over the rivers. With all these, traffic and traffic signs took place in the same evolution as roads. Key words: Roads, Taverns, Caravansaries, Bridges, Traffic, Sign