Highway Development and Planning

GROUP TWO

CANCIO, PRINCESS AND CATALAN, SIMON

HIGHWAY PLANNING

Highway road project planning can be defined as the discipline of planning, organizing,
securing, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of road project
goals and objectives. Thus highway planning is also a basic need for it’s development.

IMPORTANCE

1. Roads and highways play a vital role in development of human society. But for
every successful project planning is necessary. From a big structure and
highways planning is the first and foremost thing to be done.
2. Planning becomes more important when sources of funds and materials are
limited in quantity. These types of problems especially occur in developing
countries.
3. Thus, for developing a highway or a structure, planning along with the
consultations from experts are basic requirements.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of highway planning are

1. Planning a highway network for safe, efficient and fast movement of people and
goods,
2. Keeping the overall cost of construction and maintenance of the roads in the
network to a minimum,
3. Planning for future development and anticipated traffic needs for a specific design
period,
4. Phasing road development programs from considerations of utility and importance
as also of financial resource, and
5. Evolving a financing system compatible with the cost and benefits.

IN ORDER TO FULFILL THESE OBJECTIVES

a. First, the proposed road links should be a part of the planned road network for the
state/nation.
b. Second, the importance of the road shall be based on the traffic demand, and
hence its type should fall under the standard classification.
c. Third, the maintenance needs of the roads should receive prompt attention by
 setting aside funds for this purpose.
d. And last principle that highway Engineers must have to borne in mind is that the
statutory provisions for traffic regulation should be in place.

IMPORTANCE OF HIGHWAY PLANNING

a. To plan a road network for efficient and safe traffic operation, but a minimum coast.
Here the costs of construction, maintenance and renewal of pavement layers and
the vehicle operation costs are to be given due construction.
b. To arrive at the road system and the lengths of different categories of road which
could provide maximum utility and could be constructed within the available
resource during the plan period under construction.
c. To fix up date wise priorities for development of each road link based on utility as
the main criterion for phasing the road development program.
d. To plan for future requirements and improvement of roads in view of anticipated
developments.
e. To work out financing system

DIZON, FRAMEROSE AND CUID, NICA-J

CLASSIFICATION OF ROADS

BASED ON MATERIALS
1. Earthen Roads - are laid with soil. They are cheaper than all types of roads. This
type of road is provided for fewer traffic areas or countryside areas.
2. Gravel Roads - are also low-quality roads, but they are better when compared
with earthen roads. A compacted mixture of gravel and earth is used as
pavement material in this case.
3. Murrum Roads - Murrum is a matter obtained from the disintegration of igneous
rocks by weathering agencies. This is used to make roads called murrum roads. 4.
Kankar Roads - Kankar is an impure form of limestone. Kankar roads are provided
where lime is available in a reasonable quantity. The Kankar roads are low quality
and performance.
5. Bituminous Roads - are prevalent roads around the world. They are the most
used roads in the world. This road types are low in cost and suitable for driving
conditions. The thickness of bituminous roads depends upon the subgrade soil
conditions.
6. WBM Roads - Water Bound Macadam (WBM) roads contain crushed stone
aggregate in its base course. The aggregates are spread on the surface and
rolled after sprinkling water. WBM roads are laid as layers of about 10cm
thickness of each layer. They are very rough and may disintegrate immediately
under traffic.
7. Concrete Roads - Cement concrete is used to construct the pavements in case of
concrete roads. These are very popular and costlier than all other types of roads.
 They are not flexible, so they require less maintenance. Concrete roads
are suitable for high traffic areas. They are laid with joints and time of
construction is more.

BASED ON LOCATION AND FUNCTION

1. State highways are the second main roads that connect significant parts of the
state within it. State highway ultimately connects to the national highways. 2.
National highways are the main roads that connect all major cities to the capital of
the country. They run throughout the length and breadth of the country. A minimum
two-lane road is provided for national highways.
3. Village roads connect the nearby villages. They lead to a nearby town or district
roads. Usually, low-quality roads are provided as village roads because of low
traffic.
4. District roads are provided within the cities and connect markets and production
places to state and national highways. Two types of district roads are there
namely,
Major district roads
Minor district roads

Major district roads connect headquarters of the neighboring district with main
parts of the area while minor district roads are laid within the region.

BASED ON ECONOMY
The economy depends upon the location and function of roads and also on the
traffic analysis.

1. Low-cost roads
2. Medium cost roads
3. High-cost roads

BASED ON TRAFFIC VOLUME

1. Light Traffic Roads
The roads which are carrying 400 vehicles daily on an average is called light
traffic roads.

2. Medium Traffic Roads

If a road is carrying 400 to 1000 vehicles per day, then it is said to be a medium
traffic road.

3. High Traffic Roads

If a road is carrying is more than 1000 vehicles per day then it is considered as
high traffic road.
BASED ON TRAFFIC TYPE
1. Pedestrian Ways
 Pedestrian ways are exclusively built for pedestrians, and no vehicles are
permitted in this way.

2. Cycle Tracks
Cycle tracks or bicycle tracks are provided on both sides of the pavement for
cyclists; hence they can travel safely.

3. Motorways
Motorways are also known as expressways. Only a few vehicles are accessible
to use this type of road. The cars which can move with high-speed acceleration
are permitted in this way. Motorways makes travel quick and provides comfort for
high-speed vehicles

BASED ON TOPOGRAPHY
1. Plain Area Road
The roads constructed on leveled surface is known as plain area roads.

2. Hilly Area Roads

Roads constructed in hilly regions are called as hill area roads or ghat
roads. Generally these are provided around the hill in a spiral shape.

FORTUITO, AILA AND GIDAYA, EMEL

PLANNING SURVEYS - for assessing the road length requirements, following studies are made

1. Economic Studies
Details of the existing facilities, their utility, distribution of the existing
population in the area, population growth trends, existing products in the
agricultural and industrial sectors, future trends of development in these sectors,
existing communication and education facilities, and the per capita income are to
be collected.

2. Financial Studies
source of income; Various financial aspects such as the sources of
funding, estimated revenue from taxes on vehicles, toll tax, and indirect benefits
of raising the living standards of the people due to the proposed road network are
considered.

SOURCES OF REVENUE

1. Taxes on motor fuel

2. Duties and taxes on new vehicles and spare parts
3. Vehicle registration tax
 4. Special taxes on commercial vehicles
5. Other road user taxes
6. Toll taxes

3. Traffic or Road Use Studies

Details of the existing road facilities, traffic volume in vehicles per day,
traffic flow patterns, classes of traffic such as passenger cars, busses and trucks,
loads carried, average speeds, anticipated future trends of traffic growth, and
other traffic-related studies are to be conducted.
4. Engineering Studies
These include study of the topography, soil, road life and special
problems, if any, relating to construction, drainage and maintenance.
A systematic study of all these data will help the planner in the
preparation of a Master Plan to serve the needs of the area for a specified design
period of say, 20 to 25 years.
Saturation system for calculating optimum road length. In this the
option road length us calculated for area, based on the concept of obtaining
maximum utility per unit length of road. Hence, this system is called saturation
system of maximum utility system.

Factors for obtaining the utility per length of road are:

1. Population served by the road
2. Productivity served bt the road network
a. Agricultural product
b. Industrial products

ROUTE PLANNING

1. Road construction planning considers current and future needs of the transportation
system to ensure maximum service at the lowest possible financial and environmental
cost.

2. The main objective of this initial phase of road development is to establish specific goals
and prescriptions for road network development along with the more general location
needs.

3. These objectives must be achieved by a collaborative effort between the road engineer
and the land manager, forester, geologist, soil scientist, hydrologist, biologist, and others.

4. The road pattern which will give the least density of roads per unit area while maintaining
minimum hauling distance is the ideal to be sought. Maintaining road density to an
 economical minimum gives immediate cost benefits as well as long-term benefits in
terms of road maintenance expenses and acreage taken out of production.

5. Sediment control design criteria may be the same as, or parallel to, other design criteria
which will result in an efficient, economical road system.

EXAMPLES OF OVERLAP OR PARALLEL CRITERIA ARE

1. Relating road location and design to total forest resource, including short and long term
harvest patterns, reforestation, fire prevention, fish and wildlife propagation, rural
homestead development, and rangeland management.

2. Relating road location and design to current and future timber harvesting methods.

3. Preparing road plans and specifications to the level of detail appropriate and necessary
to convey to the road builder, whether timber purchaser or independent contractor, the
scope of the project, and thus allow for proper preparation of construction plans and
procedures, time schedules, and cost estimates.

4. Writing instructions and completing companion design decisions so as to minimize the

opportunity for "changed conditions" during construction with consequent costs in
money and time.

5. Analyzing specific road elements for "up-front" cost versus annual maintenance cost.

LODOVICE, ADELIN
ELOLA, STEPHON
GOTLADERA, GEERTZCLIFFORD

HIGHWAY ALIGNMNET AND SURVEY - The position or the layout of the central line of the
highway on the ground is called highway alignment.

HIGHWAY ALIGNMENT INCLUDES BOTH

• Horizontal alignment includes straight and curved paths, the deviations and
horizontal curves
• Vertical alignment includes changes in level, gradients and vertical curves.

A new road should be aligned very carefully as improper alignment would result in one or
more of the following disadvantages:
(a) Increase in construction cost
(b) Increase in maintenance cost
(c) Increase in vehicle operation cost
(d) Increase in accident rate
REQUIREMENTS OF HIGHWAY ALIGNMENT

Safe
The alignment need to be safe during construction, operation and maintenance especially at
slopes, embankments and cutting.
Easy
The alignment should be easy to construct and maintain. It should be easy for the operation of
vehicles. So, to the maximum extend easy gradients and curves should be provided. Short
The distance between the initial and final point need to be short so as to reduce the construction
cost.
Economical
The road alignment could be considered economical only if the total cost including initial cost,
maintenance cost and vehicle operation cost is lowest. All these factors should be given due
consideration before working out the economical of each alignment.
Comfort
The alignment should be fixed such that it provides comfort to the drivers and the passengers.

FACTORS CONTROLLING HIGHWAY ALIGNMENT

1. GOVERNMENT ALIGNMENT - As the road project needs a large investment, the

government should be clear about the requirement of the road.

2. OBLIGATORY POINTS - Obligatory points determine the highway alignment. They are
further divided into positive obligatory points and negative obligatory points. Positive
Obligatory Points: These are those points through which the alignment should pass.
•Existing Road: The alignment should be fixed such that the newly constructed road
should link to the existing road.
•Intermediate Town: If there is the possibility of a straight road and there lies the
intermediate town, then the road need to link the intermediate town reducing the change
in highway alignment.
•Bridge site/Existing Bridge: The road linking with the bridge must not be curved and to
include the bridge in the road portion, the highway alignment may be changed.
•Mountain: When the road has to cross a row of hills, mountain pass may be the suitable
alternative.
Negative Obligatory Points: These are those points through which the
alignment should not pass.
•Valleys, ponds, and marshy land need to be avoided.
•Religious places are linked up with the human sentiment so cannot be destroyed for
fixing the road alignment.
•Costly structures present in the way of alignment should be considered and the road
alignment should be fixed.
•Conservation areas and restricted zones.
•Densely populated area.
 •The road should not be within the boundary of the country.

3. TRAFFIC - (Type, Amount and Flow Pattern):

The alignment should be according to the traffic amount and flow pattern. The number of
lanes can be determined as:

A number of lanes = Traffic Volume / Traffic Capacity.

4. GEOLOGICAL CONDITION - Geologically stable hill slope must be considered while

selecting the highway alignment.
5. GEOMETRIC DESIGN - Various factors regarding geometric design as the radius of
curve, sight distance, gradient determines the highway alignment.
6. AVAILABILITY OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND LABOR - The construction
works become easier and economical when the construction materials are near the
place of highway alignment.
7. ECONOMY - The construction, operation, and maintenance work should be economical.
So, highway alignment is selected keeping these things in mind.
8. OTHER CONDITIONS
DRAINAGE - The alignment needs to be fixed such that the number of cross
drainage structures are less.
POLITICAL PRESSURE - The Pressure from the government to run the highway
alignment in the way they decide also affects the selection of highway alignment. MONOTOMY -
Setting the straight alignment leads to monotonous driving. So a small bend is provided to make
the driver aware and alert. The roads are designed as forgiving roads.
9. SPECIAL CONSIDERATION IN HILL ROADS
Stability:
The road should be aligned with the hill side that is stable. Excessive cutting and filling
may effect on their stability.
Drainage:
Adequate drainage facility need to be provided across the road and the number of cross
drainage structures need to be less during construction.
Geometric Standards:
Geometric design parameters also effect on the construction of roads.
Resisting Length:
The Ineffective rise and excessive fall should be minimum.
ENGINEERING SURVEY AND ITS STAGES

1. MAP STUDY - The study of the topographical map is done to find out the possible routes
of the road. Following information are obtained from the map study:
● Alignment avoiding valley, ponds, lakes.
● When the road has to carry a row of hills, mountain pass may be the
suitable alternative.
● Approximate location of the bridge site.
 2. RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY - Simple Survey Instruments are used in the
reconnaissance procedure.
Following are the information obtained from the reconnaissance survey:
● Valley, pond, lakes and other features that were not present in the topographical
map.
● A number of cross drainage structures, High Flood Level (HFL), Natural Ground
Level.
● Values of the gradient, the length of gradients and radius of the circular curve.
● Soil type along the routes from field identification tests and observation of the
geological features.
● Sources of construction materials.

3. PRELIMINARY SURVEY - Sophisticated Survey Instruments are used during the

preliminary survey.

Objective of the Preliminary Survey are listed below:

● To collect necessary physical information and details of topography, drainage,
and soil.
● To compare different proposal in view of the requirement of good alignment.
● To estimate the quantity of earthwork.
● To finalize the best alignment.

METHODS OF PRELIMINARY SURVEY

A. CONVENTIONAL METHOD - The procedure for the conventional approach are listed
below:

● Traverse
● Levelling work
● Topographical features
● Drainage Studies and Hydrological data
● Soil Survey
● Material Survey
● Traffic Survey
● Determination of final centre line

B. MODERN RAPID APPROACH - The procedure of the Modern rapid approach are listed
below as:
● Taking aerial photographs with required lateral and longitudinal overlaps. ●
These photographs are then examined under stereoscopes and control points are
selected for the establishment of the traverse.
 ● The spot levels and contour lines may be obtained from the stereo – pair
observations.
● Photointerpretation method is used to grab information on the geological
features, soil conditions, drainage requirement, etc.

4. FINAL LICATION AND DETAILED SURVEY

Location - The centre line of the road which is finalized in the preliminary survey is then
located in the field by establishing the centre line.

Detailed Survey - The data during the detailed survey should be elaborated and
completed for the preparation of the plans, designing, and estimation of the
project.