Operator comfort and ease of use is another obvious equipment advance since the days when Route 66 was first built. Back then, laborers filled the role of today's equipment, engaging in hours of backbreaking work while sweating over the hot asphalt. Today's equipment makes the ways of old hard to imagine.

"The new HYPAC roller is very easy to use," said Besgrove. "The seat adjusts so the controls are right there in your lap. Also, the machine is completely controlled by two joysticks. When your hands are on the controls, the armrests make it very comfortable to operate. It's much easier on the operator and a lot better than having to crank a big steering wheel all day."

Furthermore, road quality standards have experienced a virtual quantum leap since the late 1930s. As long as the roads were passable, then they qualified to be a part of Route 66. Today, with density requirements and project warranties, contractors are held to a much higher standard. Fortunately, modern equipment is alleviating many of these concerns.

"The new equipment is completely computerized, which takes a lot of the guesswork out of the application," said Besgrove. "With the C784, you can program the required speed and vibration into the computer and the operator basically just needs to steer. Even if the operator tries to run the roller wide open, it will only go as fast as the program allows. You basically set the speed and vibration and the operator can't mess up - even if he tries."