AN ENGINEER'S LOOK AT THE WORLD'S TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

This course will provide a look at the world’s transportation systems from an engineering standpoint.  From earliest times people have traveled – by water on the rivers and seas, and overland on local and long distance routes, sometimes across continents.  The Romans built roads and structures, such as bridges and viaducts, which are still marvels today.  This is not a history course, but we will review the development of water and overland transport which has taken place over the centuries, and look at the engineering aspects, using slides, videos and other visual aids.  We won’t forget air transport, either.  We’ll look at good and bad projects, including the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal and the Channel Tunnel.  It is hoped that ILEAD travelers who join the course will contribute their experiences to the class.  Some reading will be suggested, but is not obligatory.

Class is limited to 20 members.

PETER BEHR, an engineer, spent a lifetime  in the international engineering and construction business.  In so doing, he built roads, bridges, tunnels, pipelines, electrical transmission systems, ports, and airstrips, among other things.  Since we all use the world’s transportation systems on a regular basis, it occurred to him that a discussion course on the subject might be of interest.  He lives in South Woodstock, where he provides elemental labor for his wife’s gardening and landscaping projects.