The History of Development of Inland Transport Infrastructure: Technology and Economic Aspects. Part 1

Abstract

The article, consisting of two parts, studies historical and economic aspects, physical infrastructure and technological basis of emergence, formation, and evolutionary development of inland transport infrastructure. In contrast to water and air transport, land transport, due to its linkage to a certain territory, developed in a very restrained and nonlinear manner. Its infrastructure, represented by the simplest paths and roads, of course, played a certain economic role, but until 18th–19th centuries was not considered as the basis for regular advance and exchange of goods. In different parts of the world, the infrastructure of land transport developed differently which was largely due to the prevailing socio-economic institutions. For many centuries, the technical condition of the inland transport infrastructure and its economic importance have not undergone any significant changes. Therefore, the end of the medieval era and a significant breakthrough in development of land transport are interdependent processes. The emergence of an era of economic growth, including development of international trade and an increase in social welfare, would not have been possible without a wellfunctioning land transport system. Nevertheless, land transport until the beginning of 19th century was not associated with a reliable, fast, and regular medium of exchange and travel. Only with the advent of railways the situation changed radically. Paved roads were also developing. From this moment land transport and its infrastructure has become the basis of the dynamic economic activity of society.