Sultanate of Oman.

Highway Design Standards 2010

Planning Procedures,
Scheme Appraisal and Design

2.1

Planning Procedures

2-1

2.1.1

General

2-1

2.1.2

Scheme Identification

2-1

2.1.3

Utility Information

2-1

2.1.4

Land Acquisition

2-1

2.1.5

Inter-Governmental Consultation

2-2

2.1.6

Public Consultation

2-2

2.2

Scheme Appraisal And Design

2-2

2.2.1

General

2-2

2.2.2

Feasibility Studies

2-2

2.2.3

Preliminary Design

2-3

2.2.4

Final Design

2-4

2.3

Technical Notes

2-4

2.3.1

Surveys and Mapping

2-4

2.3.2

Drawing Standards

2-5

2.3.3

Geotechnical Conditions

2-5

2.3.4

Meteorological Conditions

2-5

Drawings
SD 2-01: Conventions (Scale: N.T.S)

2-6

SD 2-02: Symbols-1 (Scale: N.T.S)

2-7

SD 2-03: Symbols-2 (Scale: N.T.S)

2-8

SD 2-04: Abbreviations

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Sultanate of Oman. Highway Design Standards 2010

Planning Procedures, Scheme Appraisal and Design

2.1

PLANNING PROCEDURES

2.1.1

General

2.1.1.1

A planning framework for organizing the physical development of the Sultanate of Oman is produced

2.1.3

Utility Information

2.1.3.1

At an early stage in the project cycle, the proponent or designer will need to obtain all information

concerning existing and proposed services which could be affected. The main agencies which are responsible

by the Supreme Committee for Town Planning. Within this framework, Regional Plans for all areas of the country

for providing this information are noted as follows:

Based on these Regional Plans, the Supreme Committee for Town Planning draws up Town Structure

Plans for all areas of the Sultanate. These Town Structure Plans are the detailed basis on which development

takes place, including road schemes which are implemented by:

Implementing Agency

Muscat Municipality

are developed by the Ministry of Housing.

2.1.1.2

Location

1) Within the Governorate of Muscat

2) Within the Governorate of Dhofar Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Office of
the Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar

3) In Sohar

4) All other places Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Ministry

Sohar Development Office

2.1.1.3

The Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, the Office of the Minister of State and

Governor of Dhofar, and the Ministry of Transport and Communications also look after all roads outside the

Ministry of Agriculture
Public Authority for Electricity and Water
Telecommunications Companies
Relevant Municipalities
Oil and Gas Companies
Waste Water Companies
Other concerned utility providers as necessary

2.1.4

Land Acquisition

2.1.4.1

It is important to note that information required for land acquisition should be gathered at the preliminary

design stage; however, the formal commencement of land acquisition procedures should not be started ahead
of formal scheme acceptance from approving parties. This is to avoid abortive land purchases for design which
is subsequently modified or cancelled.

Governorate of Muscat and the Wilayat of Sohar. The Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources,

2.1.4.2

however, may carry out road improvements as part of beautification schemes.

procedures:

2.1.2

Scheme Identification

2.1.2.1

20 Year Development Plans have been produced for each Region in the Sultanate and are co-ordinated

by the Supreme Committee for Town Planning (SCTP) and the Ministry of National Economy (MNE). From these
Development Plans, a 5 Year Plan for the entire country is drawn up. A budget is produced for each Ministry based
on the 5 Year Plan and a set of priorities and programs is developed. These are then used by individual Ministries
to finalize their 5 Year Plan.

2.1.2.2

The identification of schemes can come from a variety of sources, however, the inclusion of schemes

into a formal priority list to be designed and implemented in based exclusively on relative need. Works such
as junction improvements and road reconstruction are normally promoted because of traffic congestion, poor
safety conditions, or road pavement failure.

2.1.2.3

New areas of traffic generation resulting from land-use development also give rise to requirements and

plans for new road links and junctions whilst the expanding role of tourism in the economy of the Sultanate is
also a factor which impacts on the need to develop an effective road system. Regional initiatives in the form of
GCC proposals for international road networks also influence scheme identification, whilst the general public too,
is also sometimes the promoter of road schemes where these relate to local movement and access associated
with residential areas.

The Ministry of Housing is responsible for the assembly of land to be acquired and follows the following

The Client Authority submits its plans to the Ministry of Housing

When the Royal Decree is made, the compensation that the landowner will receive is fixed in accordance with
standard procedures and scales. Procedures include the agreement of details between affected people and the
relevant compensation committee. When agreement is difficult to reach, formal dispute procedures can be
followed by affected persons.

2.1.4.3

Where required, Land Reference drawings showing basic details of expropriation areas and other

details should be prepared, accompanied by a land reference schedule noting owners, case numbers and other
information. Preparation of this material requires the co-ordination between all relevant concerned authorities,
particularly important being the Ministry of Housing, the Ministry of Interior, Municipalities, and the Ministry of
Regional Municipalities and Water Resources.

2.1.4.4

From the Land Reference Drawings in every land acquisition case, a Land Interest drawing should

be prepared giving all details of each individual land acquisition. The information shown on the drawing should
include the owners name, area or areas of land to be acquired and the unit cost. It must also include any
accommodation works to be carried out within the road construction contract (e.g. replacement of a boundary
wall) and any direct compensation for items such as crops.

2-1

Ministry of Transport & Communications . DGRLT

Planning Procedures, Scheme Appraisal and Design

2.1.5

Inter-Governmental Consultation

2.2.2

Feasibility Studies

2.1.5.1

Designers must consult with the following governmental organizations and other relevant concerned

2.2.2.1

Following scheme identification, a feasibility study should be carried out to determine the viability of

the project in economic, environmental and engineering terms. The feasibility study would investigate alternative

authorities during the planning and design stages of any project:

options to establish the most promising solutions for further study and refinement, and establish priorities and

Ministry of Transport and Communications DGRLT

2.1.6

Public Consultation

initial budget estimates. A decision will need to be made regarding the scale of the economic feasibility study

Royal Oman Police

to be carried out. The preparation of feasibility studies can be particularly time-consuming and use extensive

Ministry of Defense MOD Engineering Services

manpower resources. In some cases, where there are prior uncertainties about the economic viability of a project,

Supreme Committee for Town Planning

a short and quick pre-feasibility study should be carried out. This typically involves an engineer/planner and an

Ministry of Housing

economist for about one month input per expert. A prefeasibility study calculates project costs and benefits

Public Authority for Electricity and Water

to a lesser degree of accuracy, say +/- 25% of costs and benefits, than those used in a full feasibility study.

Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs

The results of a pre-feasibility study however, will indicate whether a full feasibility study should be carried out

Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources

and also whether the scope of the project needs to be changed from its original form.

Ministry of Agriculture
Muscat Municipality, Municipality of Dhofar and other relevant Municipalities

2.2.2.2

Typically, the issues listed below would be included in the feasibility study of a major highway scheme

and need careful consideration. The actual extent of time and effort required to address these issues should be
consistent with the relative size and importance of the individual project in question.

Procedures for public consultation can take place, where deemed necessary, for highway projects

countrywide. There are, however, some procedural differences in the method of conducting the consultation

2.1.6.1

process between regions and between project proponents.

For example, in most rural areas, if public

consultation is necessary, it is normally carried out through the Wali of the region concerned who would consult
local representatives. When appropriate, agents from the Client Authority, together with their designers typically
meet the Wali and other concerned parties to explain the proposals and clarify any issues arising.

2.1.6.2

Development of alternative options, routes or strategies and establishment of the area of traffic influence,
Preliminary topographical survey as necessary to supplement available mapping and/or imagery,
Initial appraisal of site conditions including land use, development boundaries, terrain, drainage and
geotechnical characteristics,

Identification of major utility lines in the project area,

Collection and analysis of existing traffic and axle load data, traffic growth indicators, and relevant
development planning,

Within capital and other large urban areas, information on road project proposals can be conveyed to

the general public, stakeholders, and those directly affected by various means which can include press releases

and other news media. General letters can be circulated where necessary to members of the public who are likely

to be directly affected by the works in some way, and can include information such as the extent and time scale

of construction and advance information on road diversions.

2.1.6.3

Conducting and analyzing traffic counts and axle load weighing surveys as necessary,
Prediction of traffic use by traffic type and by time period as necessary over the design life of the project,
Establishment of initial engineering design criteria and structural concepts,
Preparation of suitable scale drawings illustrating project horizontal location and other geometric
features, including major engineering features such as bridges and other structures, interchanges,
protection works etc. Typical drawing scales for highway geometric design would depend on

The amount of public consultation and the procedures involved will be related to the size and importance

circumstances, conventionally ranging between 1: 5 000 and 1:10 000,

of the project, the level of impact likely to be felt, and the respective administrative authority. Designers will be
expected to support and assist the Client Authority as necessary throughout this entire process.

Appraisal of the advantages and disadvantages of project alternatives for various user groups,

economic benefits of the project, and other non-quantifiable benefits,

2.2

SCHEME APPRAISAL AND DESIGN

2.2.1

General

2.2.1.1

The conventional stages used for designing a highway scheme consist of the following:

Preliminary appraisal of the environmental impacts of the alternatives and preliminary discussion

with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs. This will include an initial review of the
potential for noise and air pollution,

Land ownership and the implications of the alternatives considered,

Phase 1 - Prefeasibility and/or Feasibility Study

2.2.2.3

Phase 3 - Final Design

economic growth in combination with road network development will change travel patterns over the longer term.

The scope of each phase is specified by the Client depending on project conditions and in some cases may include
particular additions such as the application of Value Engineering and/or Risk Assessment techniques to design
procedures. However, in broad terms, the work which would be covered in each Phase is presented in the following
sub-sections.

2-2

Traffic demand predictions are particularly important in this context, notably in areas where urban and

In such cases, traffic predictions should reflect wherever possible, the network wide conditions over the life of the
scheme by using appropriate modeling techniques via project specific traffic models, or use of existing models
or adaptations. This is critical for estimations of lane, junction and other requirements including predictions of
commercial vehicle use and subsequently, axle load predictions.

Sultanate of Oman. Highway Design Standards 2010

Planning Procedures, Scheme Appraisal and Design

2.2.2.4

It is important to ensure that economic analysis is performed using standard parameters and

2.2.3.2

Typical preparatory work could include:

assumptions throughout. This is essential in order to be able to compare the economic indicators between other

road sector projects which may have been analyzed independently and possibly at different dates.

2.2.2.5

A fully controlled topographical survey of the design corridors to establish accurate ground levels
and levels and coordinates of other natural and man-made features such as utility corridors,
roads and urban development. Alternative methods of producing mapping such as using aerial

The feasibility study must be presented in the form of a full technical report complete with associated

photography (photogrammetric measures) may be used to produce the same information, which

drawings and all necessary calculations and supporting data to justify the selection of the Preferred Option or

will be ultimately transposed into a digital terrain model. This work will be of sufficient standard,

Options. This report should include:

scale and accuracy to be used for both Preliminary Engineering and subsequent Final Design and

An executive summary in English and Arabic which summarizes the contents of the report, and

includes a project description, the main issues related to the scheme, alternatives considered and
their analysis, and the final economic, engineering and environmental conclusions, their comparison

conform to mapping projection system WGS84,

Investigation into all existing and planned utility lines within the project corridors. This will entail

visual inspection by the designer as well as formal enquiries being made to the various utility

and subsequent choice of a Preferred Option or Options,

authorities in Oman. Should this information be considered inadequate (for whatever reason), the

Sufficient data and calculations, including traffic survey results and subsequent analysis/modeling to

possibility of further investigation using physical means and/or specialist equipment (e.g. ground

enable an independent examination of the technical competency of the work and any assumptions made,

Approach to the economic analysis, methodology, evaluation period (conventionally 20 years) and

explanation of values and assumptions made in respect of all inputs and parameters, including discount
rates, vehicle operating costs, values of time, accident costs and road maintenance costs etc,

A section presenting the method of evaluation of the alternatives and the reasoning behind the

Investigations into existing land uses, and all current and planned development schemes within the

project corridor to enable suitable design responses to be made,

Preliminary soil and geotechnical investigations at critical sites to determine material strength and

Supporting drawings which clearly show the main aspects of the schemes and highlight issue of

other properties, (See Section 14 of these standards),

For cross drainage and road surface drainage, the analysis of catchment areas and runoffs to

particular relevance,

radar) will be discussed with the Client Authority,

choice of the Preferred Option,

An Engineers Cost Estimate which must be produced to a level of accuracy of at least within

establish drainage requirements and protection works, (see Section 12 of these Standards),

Preparation of key plans, typical cross sections and other typical drawings, layouts and setting out

plans and profiles (horizontal scales usually between 1:2000 to 1:2500 and at 1:1000 in difficult terrain

+ 20% to 20% of the true cost. The cost estimation must be as accurate as possible, consistent

or complex urban conditions), structural and bridge general arrangements and side elevations,

with the level of detail of the initial design work and all major components of the project must be
accounted for and rates listed. All cost estimates for the study must be established consistently,
using fixed rates to ensure compatibility of results.

2.2.2.6

preliminary pavement design, and other relevant design features associated with the scheme,

Preparation of Right of Way drawings showing existing land ownership boundaries, overlaid with

scheme plans illustrating the potential extent of expropriation required for construction of the
scheme,

On completion and acceptance of the feasibility study, based on initial consultations with the Ministry

of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA), a separate Scoping Report covering the preliminary appraisal of

EIA surveys and analysis and subsequent development of mitigation measures to relieve environmental

impacts such as noise pollution with preparation of outline mitigation plans and drawings as necessary,

environmental impact will be submitted to the MECA in support of an application for an Environmental Permit.
This will determine the type and extent of environmental analysis required during preliminary design to fulfill the

requirements for subsequent granting of a Final Environmental Permit.

2.2.2.7

Liaison and consultation with all concerned Ministries, Authorities and other Stakeholders,
An Engineers Cost Estimate reflecting in a BoQ format, the more accurate calculations of quantities
and recognition of more design detail with the specific intention of providing accuracy in the range

Small scale highway projects, such as individual junction improvement schemes, may not require a

full feasibility study and/or economic analysis or a full environmental impact study. In such cases, a reduced
feasibility scope would be appropriate which, and when suitable, could be initiated at the start of Phase 2 -

of +15% to -15% of the true cost,

Preliminary Design

2.2.3.1

Once a scheme has been chosen to progress to preliminary engineering design, the designer will prepare draft

preliminary engineering drawings, cost estimates and other documentation to enable the proposals for the construction

Analysis and comparison of options as necessary, using techniques noted in Sub-section 2.2.2 to

determine the final Preferred Option.

Preliminary Design - as a particular requirement.

2.2.3

2.2.3.3

The submission of draft drawings and supporting documents would be accompanied by a Draft

Preliminary Engineering Report which would provide a full and detailed explanation of the work undertaken on
an item by item basis. A typical report layout would contain some or all of the following sections, supported with
appropriate technical appendices:

of the scheme to be submitted for approval to the Client. Should a scheme have options to be carried through to

1) Executive Summary (produced in English and Arabic)

preliminary design, these options will be developed to the same level of detail. This will enable further comparative

2) Introduction and Project Description

analysis of options, in a process similar to the feasibility study approach, but with more refined input.

3) Design Parameters

4) Mapping/Topographic Surveys

5) Traffic Surveys and Analysis

6) Geotechnical Survey and Analysis

Ministry of Transport & Communications . DGRLT

Planning Procedures, Scheme Appraisal and Design

7) Structural Design

2.2.4.2

8) Hydrology and Drainage Design

by a Draft Detailed Design Report, which presents the technical aspects of the design in a similar format to the

9) Pavement Design

Preliminary Engineering Report, in particular the justification for any deviations or other modifications made

10) Road Lighting and Landscaping

to the agreed content of that Report. Reporting should include information on environmental design issues

11) Environmental Issues

12) Cost Estimates

13) Appraisal of Options (if appropriate) and Conclusions

2.2.3.4

In addition to the Draft Preliminary Engineering Report, a separate Draft Environmental Impact

Assessment Report should be produced which complies with Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs project
scoping requirements and following Client Authority approval, should be submitted in support of the application
for a Final Environmental Permit.

2.2.3.5

At the discretion of the Client Authority, the Draft Preliminary Engineering Report and drawings should

be subject to an independent Road User Safety Audit conducted by a Professional Engineer. Subsequent Road
User Safety Audit recommendations would be managed as necessary by the designer.

2.2.3.6

During the preparation of the Preliminary Engineering Design, the Royal Oman Police should be consulted

formally. Firstly, at mid-term during design preparation and secondly, when the draft preliminary engineering
report and drawings are complete, to enable them to discuss and make proposals concerning relevant project
preparation issues. Should a Road User Safety Audit be conducted, opinions of the Royal Oman Police on issues
of concern should be included and commented on by that independent evaluation. The consultations by the
Client Authority and designers with the Royal Oman Police should be formally recorded and issued to each party.

2.2.3.7

On completion of the preliminary engineering work and approval of the Final Preliminary Engineering

including environmental engineering such as mitigation works where necessary. It should also contain all the
relevant calculations and associated assumptions used for the production of the detailed design and include
results and analysis of any Final Design surveys undertaken.

2.2.4.3

At the discretion of the Client Authority, the Draft Final Design Engineering Report and drawings should

be subject to an independent Road User Safety Audit conducted by a Professional Engineer. Subsequent Road
User Safety Audit recommendations to be managed as necessary by the designer.

2.2.4.4

During the preparation of the Detailed Engineering Design, the Royal Oman Police should

be consulted formally. Firstly, at mid-term during design preparation and secondly, when the draft final
engineering report and drawings are complete, to enable them to discuss and make proposals concerning
relevant design issues. Should a Road User Safety Audit be conducted at this stage, opinions of the Royal
Oman Police on traffic and safety matters should be included and commented on, by that independent
evaluation. The consultations by the Client and designers with the Royal Oman Police should be formally
recorded and issued to each party.

2.2.4.5

Based on the items and measures listed in the detailed bill of quantities, an Engineers Cost Estimate

will be produced by the designer to be within +10% to -10% of the true value.

2.2.4.6

At the end of the Final Design Stage, the Client will have sufficient documentation to be able to move

forward towards Tendering and Construction Award.

Report, the design submission will have addressed and resolved all major technical and environmental issues

2.2.4.7

related to the project, established accurate expropriation needs, and produced a reasonable cost estimate.

sought from the Royal Oman Police.

2.2.4

Final Design

2.2.4.1

Following approval by the Client of the preliminary design, the designer will complete the design in

Prior to commencement of the tendering procedures, formal approval of the project design shall be

2.3

TECHNICAL NOTES

detail and produce tender documentation as instructed. This work would consist, typically, of the following:

2.3.1

Surveys and Mapping

Undertaking final geotechnical and other surveys as appropriate,

2.3.1.1

At a National level, the responsibility for mapping rests with the Ministry of Defense. Country-wide

Ongoing liaison with all concerned Ministries, Authorities and other Stakeholders,

coverage is available at 1:100,000, whilst certain areas are available at larger scales of 1:50,000. Mapping can be

Detailed design of all the elements of the works including production of final road layout plans and

obtained for government projects from the National Survey Authority on production of an official request in the

profiles, conventionally at a horizontal scale of 1:1000 or 1: 500, with a horizontal/vertical distortion

Drawings showing all project elements sufficient for the Contractor to accurately price and construct

the works,

2-4

The detailed design drawings and contract documents should be submitted in draft, accompanied

form of a letter of authority from the Client.

2.3.1.2

The SCTP also is a source of country-wide base mapping produced directly from satellite photography

with an image based background having a resolution of 0.5m horizontally and 0.2m vertically.

Preparation of all schedules, including bar bending schedules,

2.3.1.3

Preparation of Land Ownership and Expropriation Plans,

which is held by the Sohar Development Office (SDO).

Preparation of Appendices to the Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction,
Preparation of Special Specifications,

2.3.1.4

Land ownership information is held by the Ministry of Housing for the entire country except Sohar,

For road planning/design, it is usual that in most cases, topographical surveys will need to be

undertaken. These should be tailored to the individual project, be based on mapping projection system WGS84

Preparation of a Bill of Quantities,

and be of sufficient quality and extent to be used for project development stages from preliminary to detailed

Preparation of the Prime Document including Conditions of Contract, Form of Tender etc.

design and construction. This is to avoid carrying out extra surveys at later stages.

Sultanate of Oman. Highway Design Standards 2010

Planning Procedures, Scheme Appraisal and Design

2.3.2

Drawing Standards

2.3.2.1

These design standards contain, where appropriate, engineering drawings appended to each Section.

Engineering Drawings are classed as GD (General Drawings) or SD (Standard Drawings). General Drawings
provide broad guidelines for the issues, items or components illustrated and do not imply full and detailed
coverage or information. Standard Drawings are mandatory drawings applicable to the subjects presented and
can form, where appropriate, either partially or fully, a part of the contract design submission.

2.3.2.2

In order to simplify and standardize drawing submissions which accompany the various stages of the

design cycle, the following standard drawings (SDs) are provided at the end of this Section:

SD 2-01 Drawing Standards illustrating standards for drafting generally and layout treatments for

presentation of road alignment information,

SD 2-02 and SD 2-03 illustrating mandatory symbols to be used on all mapping and drawings, And

including, in the case of SD 2-03, a standard title block and frame, on which the presentation of all contract
drawings must be based.

SD 2-04 illustrating mandatory drawing/mapping abbreviations.

2.3.3

Geotechnical conditions

2.3.3.1

There are several geotechnical conditions prevailing in Oman that require special consideration, including

expanding clays, gypsum, meta-stable sand and mobile dune areas. These issues are addressed in Section 14 of
these standards entitled Highway Design and Geotechnical Considerations, and elsewhere in this document.

2.3.4

Meteorological conditions

2.3.4.1

Designers should pay special attention to the development of all infrastructure proposals related to

hydrology, including design return periods, the sizing of drainage openings and scour protection for embankments,
culverts and wadi bridges. This is covered in Section 12 of these standards and is particularly important in
relation to areas that are prone to extreme rainfall events and is one of the major issues to which this Highway
Design Standard has been specifically focused.

2.3.4.2

Close liaison with the Directorate General of Water Resources Assessment shall be maintained

throughout all stages of Hydrological Study related to road design, from the initial collection of statistical data to
the production of Hydrology Reports, for technical advice and review of reporting.

2-5

Ministry of Transport & Communications . DGRLT

Planning Procedures, Scheme Appraisal and Design

SD 2-01 Conventions (Scale: N.T.S)

Sultanate of Oman. Highway Design Standards 2010

Planning Procedures, Scheme Appraisal and Design

SD 2-02 Symbols-1 (Scale: N.T.S)

Ministry of Transport & Communications . DGRLT

Planning Procedures, Scheme Appraisal and Design

SD 2-03 Symbols-2 (Scale: N.T.S)

Sultanate of Oman. Highway Design Standards 2010

Planning Procedures, Scheme Appraisal and Design

SD 2-04 Abbreviations
2-9