Final answer:
Barbed-wire entanglements were used to securely and cheaply fence off land in the American West, transforming property boundaries and contributing to conflicts like the Fence Cutting War. Sensors at toll booths serve to detect vehicles to manage traffic and toll collections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of barbed-wire entanglements, including various types such as the triple-standard concertina fence, double-apron fence, low wire entanglement, and tangle foot, was to fence off land inexpensively and effectively. These types of barriers were used in the American West during the late 19th century to create boundaries for private properties, particularly in the ranching industry. Barbed wire revolutionized the way land was used, ending the era of communal grazing and long cattle drives, and leading to conflicts such as the Fence Cutting War in places like Clay County, Texas.
As for the question about tollbooth stations, while it does not mention a specific purpose for a wire being stuck in the pavement before them, commonly, sensors or induction loops are placed at tollbooths to detect the presence of a vehicle as it approaches. This is done to help manage traffic flow, toll collection, and for security purposes.