[mentioned in passing] Author of Concerning Function: A Treatise on the Natural Order, written in 1930. This book was the "bible" of the Functionalist revolution; the striking road workers mostly followed its preachings.
Motorized roadway that connected San Diego, California, and Reno, Nevada, on and around which a metropolitan area grew up; its terminal was called Diego Circle. The automated roads themselves were large enough to accommodate restaurants and other businesses, as well as the engineers' offices.
Chief engineer of the Diego-Reno Roadtown. He ended a revolt among the technicians by goading the leader into a complete breakdown. (Mrs. Gaines (no first name) is also mentioned briefly.)
Roadworker who objected to inflammatory talk about strikes and takeovers. He was murdered while negotiating on the government's behalf with rebel roadworkers.
Roadcity workers' anthem, adapted from "The Roll of the Caissons".
roadcity (or roadtown)
As traditional highways were replaced by automated roadways, communities sprang up along the roadways' routes,and often the roadways were large enough to include buildings and small communities on the moving surface. As the roadtowns grew, many old cities and towns were largely abandoned, and new municipal boundaries were defined by the roadway routes.
(Also mentioned in "The Man Who Sold the Moon" and To Sail Beyond the Sunset.)
Training school for workers on the automated roadways. It not only taught technical skills but also indoctrinated the workers with ésprit de corps and a profound sense of responsibility.
Shorty Van Kleeck (no other first name)
Former roadworker and chief deputy engineer of the Sacramento Sector of Diego-Reno Roadtown. He incited rebellion among the roadworkers and declared himself "Director of the Provisional Control Committee for the New Order". Larry Gaines defeated him by pushing him into a nervous breakdown.
