Introduction:
This Complex Engineering Problem provides an overall perspective of how various
elements contributing to highway design interact to create a basis for the preliminary
route selection and design. It presents a project from the initial provision of a topographic
map and AASHTO specifications.
Transportation engineering students have used engineering drawing techniques to
manually lay out lines and curves over contour maps for highway geometric design. The
design process requires numerous calculations of stopping sight distance, minimum
turning radius, and curve alignments to minimize economic and environmental impact
and construction costs. Students usually perform iterative computations to manually meet
design criteria and environmental constraints. An ability to use proper tables and figures
in “A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, 2011 by American
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials” is crucial.
This will include laying out potential routes, design of the alignment, evaluation of
earthwork requirements, and safety considerations. The student should understand and
apply these principles to highway design problems. Emphasis is placed on both the theory
and practice of highway geometric design. Students are introduced to principles of
highway design relating to the roadway function and context-sensitive design. Students
obtain deeper insight into methods for determining the route layout, the design of
horizontal and vertical alignments, the design of cross-sectional elements.
Vertical and horizontal alignment, drainage issues, and potential environmental impacts
need to be also considered. Students will use the theory and practice presented in the
course to develop a suitable horizontal/vertical alignment and cross-sections.
Problem Statement
The description, objectives, and specifications of the projects are presented in the Table
below, and the locations of the project's end points are shown in Map 1 (100% scale 1:
12500, contour interval 3 m or 125% scale 1: 10000, contour interval 3 m).
Design Controls
Max. grade, except at intersections 7%
Min. grade, all locations 0.5 %
Max. fill height and cut depth at centerline 8.5 m
Maximum rate of superelevation (emax ) 6%
Design Speed 60 km/h
It often advantageous to photographically enlarge the Map 1 (100% scale 1: 12500,
contour interval 3m) to Map 1 (125% scale 1: 10000, contour interval 3 m) (which
has been done for you), to facilitate scaling and general interpretation. The scale
has been adjusted accordingly (which is now 1:10000, in the 125% Map i.e. 1 cm =
100 m). It is usually best to photographically enlarge the scale and the map
together to ensure that there is no discrepancy between them.
BACKGROUND: Interest has been expressed in a program to establish a visitor
center in a scenic area. The visitor center/scenic lookout is located on the
promontory (i.e. high point) at Point 1 on Map 1. Several possible end points for
the access highway between the center and the adjacent highway network have
been identified for the case studies. The end points are designated A, B, and E in
Map 1.
OBJECTIVES: Preliminary highway designs are needed
(from A to 1 or from B to 1 or from E to 1).
SCOPE OF PROJECT: Conduct a preliminary route selection and design for one
possible route end for a two-lane highway in accordance with AASHTO "rural
collector" highway design standards. The content, format, and general presentation
of the report should follow the following guidelines.
1. Horizontal Alignment and Closure error of the traverse.
2. Simple Horizontal Curves and length of highway after inclusion of horizontal
curves on horizontal alignment.
3. Natural Ground elevations (i.e. NSL i.e. Natural Surface Level) every 20m and
at critical points.
4. Drawing of Natural Ground Profile (or NSL i.e. Natural Surface Level)
5. Drawing of Design Ground Profile (PGL i.e. Proposed Ground Level) including
design of vertical curves and coordination of vertical and horizontal alignment.
6. Design Ground profile elevations every 20m and at critical points.
7. Cross Section design.
8. Calculation of earthwork quantities from Station 0+000.0 to Station 0+060.0
(with the help of cross sections taken every 20 m from 0+000.0 to Station
0+060.0).
9. To bring economy in earthwork, vertical curves should be designed based on
Stopping Sight Distance.
