Author Topic: Someone in here must know... (Read 563 times)

Dux · « **on:** July 26, 2006, 04:06:40 PM »

There's an amazing cross section of knowledge and expertise in here, so let me take a question that's got me wracking my brain and pose it to you all...

Check out this link to Google Maps; it is in the Iraqi desert...
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=33.402641,43.086491&spn=0.174834,0.292854&t=k&om=1

See how various highways follow an almost sinewave-like pattern? They go on like this for miles, and they are all over the countryside. Follow along and see for yourself. It certainly kills the "shortest distance between two points" rule. They all seem to be newer roads, and they all appear to be well paved. They do not seem to be avoiding terrain. The pattern is far too perfect to suggest it is because of some random geological reason.

What benefit is there to designing a highway like this... what problems are they avoiding? The best theory I've heard so far is that since there is more road per mile, the more money the (whatever agency which builds roads in Iraq) can charge.

What do you know, what do you think?

Mustaine · « **Reply #1 on:** July 26, 2006, 04:15:34 PM »

I'd think there is some geographical reason we are not seeing on satelite.

you know many roads in the US started as trails the colonists used...

maybe these are old trade route paths made over centuries of camels carrying goods. they just paved the most well travled and smoothest beaten down area

BlueJ1 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2006, 04:28:39 PM »

I wonder if thats pre or post war...

Nilsen · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2006, 04:34:26 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by BlueJ1
I wonder if thats pre or post war...

it cant be post war.. unless you mean the iran-iraq thing

BlueJ1 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 26, 2006, 04:35:29 PM »

The newer one.

Looking for leftovers of the Desert Storm or any kind of military.

Wolfala · « **Reply #5 on:** July 26, 2006, 04:36:00 PM »

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=k&om=1&ll=33.421403,43.153006&spn=0.00326,0.004984

I went a little bit to the east a few miles and found what look to be berms for tanks to hide around. Atleast from a sat view - is this place boardering a military post?

Dux · « **Reply #6 on:** July 26, 2006, 04:40:32 PM »

No, this isn't limited to a certain area, else I'd believe there was some tactical reason to it all, as you suggest. They go for hundreds of miles like that.

I have to believe there is some economic reason to it all... that they last longer, easier to maintain or something.

Goomba · « **Reply #7 on:** July 26, 2006, 04:43:36 PM »

Not saying this is fact, but I'll put my money on terrain.

Look at the erosion marks in the hills. If I properly recall my class in remote sensing (and reading aerials) it appears that there are actually a series of large hills that parts of the highway curves around. Looks to me like the roadbed is simply aligned with the lowest available elevation, to reduce excavation costs and create a more navigable roadway.

The lack of contrast and landmarks makes it hard to be sure, but that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Nilsen · « **Reply #8 on:** July 26, 2006, 04:43:57 PM »

Maybe its there to provide drivers with something to do so they dont fall asleep on hour long drives tru the desert. If the road is not complety straight you have to pay attention.

my money is on terrain or old trails tho

BlueJ1 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2006, 04:49:56 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Nilsen
Maybe its there to provide drivers with something to do so they dont fall asleep on hour long drives tru the desert. If the road is not complety straight you have to pay attention.

my money is on terrain or old trails tho

That does make sense.

Dux · « **Reply #10 on:** July 26, 2006, 04:53:11 PM »

The pattern is too perfect and consistent to be following terrains... take it from someone who knows terrains

101ABN · « **Reply #11 on:** July 26, 2006, 05:05:00 PM »

could be the terrian.. waddies is what we call them.. also the wind could have done some of it.. during the war we got hit with on heck of a sand storm..

i know this area, i went through there during the war.. we were supposed to block the Medina Division between the 2 lakes.. they are west of Karbala.

Maverick · « **Reply #12 on:** July 26, 2006, 05:41:28 PM »

Perhaps it's due to the cycle of sobriety of the part of the survey team and engineer.

BlueJ1 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 26, 2006, 05:42:16 PM »

The pattern people drive if they drop their hooka while driving?

JTs · « **Reply #14 on:** July 26, 2006, 07:13:18 PM »

looks like the edge of a flood plain