3.2 The development of road transportation to the present

History

Grade 4

How transport has served mankind

Module 11

The development of road transportation to the present

In time, it became necessary to build good roads for carts and wagons in and around Dogsville.

Activity 1

To use your sources [lo 1.2]

The main street of Dogsville in 1930 . . .

A)examine the sketch that is provided and answer the questions about the pictures that are given above:

1. How many different vehicles can you identify?

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1. Which vehicles are still in use in your environment?

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1. Why could horses pull a train running on a track more easily than one running along a road?

…………………………………………………………………………………

1. What made it possible for the different kinds of vehicles to move?

………………………………………………………………………………………..

1. How were roads built in the past?

………………………………………………………………………………..

1. Which means were used to cross mountains and rivers?

…………………………………………………………………………………….

1. What equipment is used to build roads in your environment?

…………………………………………………………………………………….

Interesting facts

The German Carl Benz built a motorcar with a petrol-driven engine in 1885. Its top speed was about 18 km per hour! Grandpa says that the first car to arrive in our country was imported in 1897. Cars were not built in factories on a large scale in South Africa at the time. Each one was built individually for some person who was wealthy enough to buy it. In time, however, less expensive cars like Grandpa's Model T Ford were built in factories.

Activity 2

To differentiate between different eras [lo 2.3]

A)talk about how transportation has developed since the early times that we have discussed!

Why would it be better if more people went to work by bus?

Why is the motorcar regarded as a convenient means of transport?

Nowadays, roads are more generally built of t . . r or of c . . . . . . . . . . e.

Good roads that are built to link large cities are known as n . . . . . . . . . . l roads.

Dogsville today

B)going on a class outing!

Ask your educator to take you to a busy road or street where you can do a traffic count. You already know that transportation has changed over time. Now you have to find out whether there are noticeable changes that occur during a single day.

Take turns to work in pairs for an hour at a time.

Count the number of vehicles travelling past a certain point in both directions.

Give a report on the following when you are back in the classroom:

- At what time do most people travel to work and back?

- Such traffic is known as p . . . . . . . . . . k-hour traffic.

- Which kinds of vehicles are used most at different times? Explain this?

C)debate!

• Which is used more during peak hours - motorbikes or minibuses?

Assessment

LEARNING OUTCOME 1: HISTORICAL ENQUIRY The learner will be able to use enquiry skills to investigate the past and present.

Assessment standard

We know this when the learner:

1.2 answers questions: uses information from sources to answer questions.

LEARNING OUTCOME 2: HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The learner will be able to demonstrate historical knowledge and understanding.

Assessment standard

We know this when the learner:

• similarity and difference: identifies similarities and differences between past and present ways of doing things in a given context.

Memorandum

a) 1. 5

1. Own answers.
2. The tracks were smoother and more level compared to the bad roads of that time.
3. Let learners give own answers. The tram runs on steel rails – drawn by horses. (South Africa’s first tram came into operation between Cape Town and Green Point in 1863. Ladies were seated inside and men on top

Bicycles became popular in South Africa in the late 1800’s – without springs, tyres, and gears.

1. In the 1600’s and 1700’s roads were ruts – also no bridges. People Walked, rode on horseback or travelled by ox-wagon. By 1820 the main-route was between Cape Town and Grahamstown after the arrival of the Settlers. Prisoners were often used to build roads. Read the story of Andrew Bain, South Africa’s best-known pioneer road-builder.
2. Let learners provide own answers.
3. After 1935 the surface of many gravel roads were covered with a layer of tar or cement. It was supposed to last for approximately 20 years.

• Tar or bricks, national roads
• Peak hour traffic