According to the US Census Bureau's 2007 survey, there are nearly 40,000 units of government in the USA, comprised of federal, state, county, municipal, township and town levels, many of which are responsible in some way for delivering an annual programme of road projects. Is it realistic to expect all those different entities to plan, design, build and maintain roads in exactly the same way? Is that even desirable? Or, is it more likely that there may be numerous — but equally effective — ways to deliver an annual programme; in effect, customised versions of somewhat similar approaches? Surely, this demonstrates the wisdom and necessity of being more flexible in designing roads to accommodate local communities' needs? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]