Highways
Military interest in highway intelligence of a given area or country covers all physical
characteristics of the existing road, track, and trail system. All associated structures and
facilities necessary for movement and for protection of the routes, such as bridges,
ferries, tunnels, and fords, are integral parts of the highway system. Planners must know
where new routes will be needed to support an operation. Road widths are given in
meters. Measurements indicate the minimum width of the traveled way. Each road
segment between intersections is assigned a width value, and that number is placed
parallel to the road segment.
The severe abuse given to roads by large volumes of heavy traffic, important bridges,
intersections, and narrow defiles makes them primary targets for enemy bombardment.
Planners must avoid maintaining unnecessary routes and must hold construction of new
routes to a minimum.
FM 5-33 US Army Field Manual, Terrain Analysis, p. 2-3