Sovereignty Module: Move the People
Move the People
Complete Transportation: From Trail to Road to River
Complete Transportation: From Trail to Road to River
Movement of people and goods enables trade, defense, and community. This campaign covers trail building, road construction, bridges, watercraft, and animal-powered transport.
Chapter 1: Transportation Methods
| Method | Speed | Cargo Capacity | Range | Infrastructure | Energy Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walking (human porter) | 3-4 mph | 40-80 lbs | 15-25 miles/day | Trail | Human |
| Pack animal (horse/mule) | 3-4 mph | 150-300 lbs | 20-30 miles/day | Trail | Animal (forage) |
| Ox cart | 2-3 mph | 1,000-3,000 lbs | 10-15 miles/day | Road (basic) | Animal (forage) |
| Horse-drawn wagon | 4-6 mph | 2,000-5,000 lbs | 20-30 miles/day | Road (improved) | Animal (grain + forage) |
| Canoe/kayak | 3-5 mph | 200-500 lbs | 20-40 miles/day | Waterway | Human (paddle) |
| Sailboat (small) | 5-10 mph | 500-5,000 lbs | 50-100+ miles/day | Waterway | Wind |
| Raft/barge (river) | 2-5 mph (downstream) | 5,000-50,000 lbs | Downstream only (or towed) | River | Current (or animal tow) |
| Bicycle | 10-15 mph | 50-100 lbs (+ rider) | 30-80 miles/day | Road (smooth) | Human |
| Sled (winter) | 3-5 mph | 500-2,000 lbs | 15-30 miles/day | Snow/ice | Animal or human |
Chapter 2: Road Construction
| Road Type | Surface | Load Capacity | All-Weather | Build Effort | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trail (cleared) | Natural ground | Foot/pack animal | No (mud in rain) | Low | Low (clear brush) |
| Corduroy road | Logs laid crosswise | Heavy vehicles | Yes (over swamp) | Moderate | High (rot, replacement) |
| Gravel road | Compacted gravel (6-12 inches) | Heavy vehicles | Yes | Moderate-high | Moderate (grading, gravel) |
| Macadam | Layered crushed stone (compacted) | Heavy vehicles | Yes | High | Moderate |
| Cobblestone | Set stones in sand bed | Very heavy | Yes | Very high | Low (long-lasting) |
| Concrete | Poured concrete slab | Very heavy | Yes | Very high | Low (decades) |
Gravel road construction: 1. Clear and grade route (crown center 2-4% slope to sides for drainage). 2. Dig ditches both sides (carry water away). 3. Lay geotextile or brush mat (prevents gravel sinking into mud). 4. Spread 6-8 inches crushed rock (large on bottom, smaller on top). 5. Compact with roller or traffic. 6. Add 2-4 inches fine gravel surface. 7. Compact again. Maintain crown and ditches.
Chapter 3: Bridge Types
| Type | Span | Load | Materials | Complexity | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Log bridge (simple) | 10-20 feet | Foot traffic | 2-3 large logs + decking | Very low | 5-15 years |
| Beam bridge (timber) | 15-40 feet | Vehicle | Timber beams, decking, abutments | Moderate | 15-30 years |
| Arch bridge (stone) | 20-100+ feet | Very heavy | Stone, mortar | Very high | 100-1,000+ years |
| Suspension (rope) | 50-200+ feet | Foot traffic | Rope/cable, planks, anchors | Moderate-high | 5-20 years (rope) |
| Truss bridge (timber) | 40-100+ feet | Vehicle | Timber, metal connectors | High | 30-50 years |
| Pontoon bridge | Any width (river) | Vehicle (temporary) | Boats/barrels + planks | Moderate | Temporary |
| Ford (improved) | N/A (shallow crossing) | Vehicle | Gravel/stone on river bottom | Low | Indefinite |
Chapter 4: Watercraft Construction
| Vessel | Length | Capacity | Build Time | Materials | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Log raft | 10-20 feet | 2,000-10,000 lbs | 1-3 days | Logs, rope/pins | Very low |
| Dugout canoe | 10-20 feet | 200-800 lbs | 1-4 weeks | Single large log | Moderate |
| Bark canoe | 12-18 feet | 200-600 lbs | 1-2 weeks | Birch bark, cedar ribs, spruce root | High |
| Plank boat (flat bottom) | 12-20 feet | 500-2,000 lbs | 1-3 weeks | Planks, frames, caulking | Moderate |
| Coracle/currach | 4-6 feet | 200-400 lbs | 2-5 days | Woven frame + hide/canvas | Low-moderate |
| Sailboat (small) | 15-25 feet | 500-3,000 lbs | 1-3 months | Timber, canvas, rope, hardware | High |
Flat-bottom boat: Simplest useful boat. Cut bottom plank (1-2 inches thick, 3-4 feet wide, 12-16 feet long). Attach side planks at angle (flared sides). Seal seams with oakum + tar/pitch. Add frames (ribs) every 12-18 inches. Transom (flat back). Can add oarlocks, sail, or outboard.
Chapter 5: Animal-Powered Transport
| Animal | Pull Capacity | Speed | Daily Distance | Feed Required | Terrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horse (draft) | 1,500-3,000 lbs | 4-6 mph | 20-30 miles | 20-30 lbs hay + 10-15 lbs grain/day | Roads, trails |
| Mule | 1,000-2,000 lbs | 3-5 mph | 20-30 miles | 15-20 lbs hay + 5-10 lbs grain/day | Roads, trails, mountains |
| Ox (pair) | 2,000-5,000 lbs | 2-3 mph | 10-15 miles | Forage (grass/hay, no grain needed) | Any (slow but powerful) |
| Donkey | 200-400 lbs (pack) | 3-4 mph | 15-25 miles | Forage (very efficient) | Trails, mountains |
| Dog (sled team, 6-8) | 300-600 lbs (sled) | 5-10 mph | 20-40 miles | 2-4 lbs meat/fish per dog/day | Snow/ice |
| Llama | 60-100 lbs (pack) | 2-3 mph | 10-15 miles | Forage (very efficient) | Mountains, trails |
Ox vs horse: Oxen are slower but stronger, cheaper to feed (no grain needed), more sure-footed, calmer temperament, and can be eaten when old. Horses are faster, more versatile, but require grain and more care. For heavy agricultural work and pioneering, oxen are superior.
Chapter 6: Route Planning
| Factor | Consideration | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade (slope) | Maximum 8-10% for vehicles, 15% for pack animals | Steep = slow, dangerous, erosive | Switchbacks, grading, route selection |
| Water crossings | Bridges, fords, or ferries needed | Delays, seasonal impassability | Build bridges, improve fords |
| Soil type | Clay = mud when wet; sand = soft; gravel = ideal | Impassable in rain (clay) | Surface with gravel, drainage |
| Drainage | Water must flow away from road surface | Erosion, mud, washouts | Crown road, ditches, culverts |
| Distance between water | Animals and people need water every 15-20 miles | Limits daily travel | Plan route near water sources |
| Security | Avoid ambush terrain (narrow passes, dense forest) | Vulnerability to attack | Alternate routes, scouts, cleared zones |
Reference Card
- Gravel road: crown center (2-4% slope), ditches both sides, 6-12 inches compacted gravel. All-weather, vehicle-capable.
- Ox cart: 2,000-5,000 lbs capacity. Oxen need only grass (no grain). Slow but powerful. Best for pioneering and heavy loads.
- Flat-bottom boat: simplest useful watercraft. Plank bottom + flared sides + caulking. Build in 1-3 weeks. Carries tons.
- Bridge basics: abutments (foundations) are critical. Size beams for load. Log bridge for foot traffic. Truss for vehicles.
- Route planning: maximum 8-10% grade for vehicles. Water every 15-20 miles. Avoid clay soils or surface with gravel.
- Ram pump: lifts water without fuel using stream flow. Relevant for road building (water supply at construction sites).
- Pack animals: mules best for mountain terrain. Horses fastest on roads. Oxen strongest for heavy loads. Donkeys most efficient.
- Maintenance: roads require ongoing maintenance. Clear ditches, fill potholes, maintain crown. Neglected roads become impassable.
TransmissionCOMPLETE — unaltered & unabridged
Words1,284 — every one of them
SHA-256 of source textfdc63c39d5d43545af747c30b250cd53e58f511521c26b16a46b558721dd2190
Canonical textdownload campaign-transport-complete.md — byte-identical to what this page renders