Final answer:
Turnouts are designed for drivers to use when they need to pull off the road. Tollbooth stations have sensors, such as wires embedded in the pavement, to detect approaching vehicles and manage traffic flow. The use of tolls is part of a historical approach to fund the maintenance and operations of road networks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Turnouts on roadways are areas that are designed to be used by drivers who need to pull off the road, whether to let faster vehicles pass, to rest, or deal with car issues, without impeding the regular flow of traffic. In the context of tollbooth stations, they are equipped with various technologies including sensors. Tollbooth sensors often use a piece of wire or similar mechanism embedded in the pavement to detect an approaching car. This helps manage traffic flow and ensures the proper operation of the toll collection system by alerting personnel or automated systems to the presence of an approaching vehicle. These mechanisms are part of a broader effort to create efficient transportation systems through infrastructure developments such as turnpikes, roads, and eventually the interstate highway system that require funding through mechanisms like tolls.
The construction of turnpikes and toll roads has a long history, dating back to the 1700s. These privately built roads would charge fees to users, enabling the road owners to maintain and operate them. As the number of cars increased, so did the need for roads, leading to the construction of local, state, and finally the interstate highway networks that facilitate travel and commerce throughout the nation. Tollbooth stations and the corresponding charges are a continuation of this economic model, supporting the maintenance and expansion of the transportation infrastructure.