HIGHWAYS AND RAILROADS PRELIM

INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. ALAN WRIGHT ALIB

Introduction to Highway 2. AIR TRANSPORTATION
a. Air transportation is essential for
and Railroad Engineering long-distance travel and the
1. Highway and Railroad Engineering rapid movement of goods. It
is a vital field that shapes the connects continents, facilitates
landscape of our modern world. This tourism, and enables global
introductory module delves into the trade.
fundamental concepts of i. Aircraft
transportation, highlighting the ii. Helicopters
history, importance, and diverse 3. WATER TRANSPORTATION
modes that connect us all. It a. Water transportation relies on
explores the disciplines of highway waterways, including oceans,
and railroad engineering, exploring rivers, lakes, and canals. It is
their crucial role in planning, crucial for international trade,
designing, constructing, and the transportation of bulk
maintaining the infrastructure that goods, and coastal communities.
supports our daily lives. i. Ships
Importance of ii. Boats

Transportation Characteristics of Road

● ECONOMIC GROWTH Transportation
● SOCIAL PROGRESS 1. FLEXIBILITY
● NATIONAL SECURITY ● Road transport offers great
● ENVIRONMENTAL flexibility for users, allowing
SUSTAINABILITY
them to choose their routes, stop
Modes of Transportation at their convenience, and adapt
1. LAND TRANSPORTATION to changing conditions. This
a. Land transportation flexibility is crucial for both
encompasses a wide range of personal and commercial travel.
vehicles and infrastructure, 2. ACCESSIBILITY
including roads, railways, and ● Roads provide widespread
pipelines. It plays a critical role accessibility, reaching almost
in moving people and goods every corner of a region. This
within and between cities, accessibility is vital for
regions, and countries. connecting communities and
i. Roads facilitating trade, especially in
ii. Railways areas with limited other
iii. Pipelines transportation options.
HIGHWAYS AND RAILROADS PRELIM
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. ALAN WRIGHT ALIB
3. SPEED Scope of Highway
● The speed of road transport is a
significant factor, influencing Engineering
travel time and cost. Highway 1. PLANNING
engineers strive to optimize a. This includes the development of
road design and traffic transportation plans, identifying
management systems to transportation needs, and
maximize speed and efficiency. evaluating alternative
4. SAFETY transportation projects. It also
● Road safety is paramount, and involves studying traffic
highway engineers prioritize patterns, land use, and
measures such as road design environmental impacts to create
elements, traffic control devices, a comprehensive vision for the
and driver education to future of transportation.
minimize accidents and ensure 2. DESIGN
the safety of all road users. a. Highway design encompasses
the creation of detailed plans for
Highway Engineering
roads, bridges, tunnels, and
● It is a branch of civil
other transportation
engineering that deals with the
infrastructure. Engineers
planning, design, construction
consider factors such as safety,
and maintenance of roads,
capacity, cost, and
bridges and tunnels to ensure
environmental impact to ensure
safe and effective
the optimal design for each
transportation of peoples and
project.
goods.
3. CONSTRUCTION
Traffic Engineering a. The construction phase involves
● It is the field of engineering the physical building of
focused on managing and transportation infrastructure,
improving the flow of vehicles from grading and paving to
and pedestrians on roads. It bridge construction. Engineers
involves designing and oversee the entire process,
implementing systems like ensuring quality control,
traffic signals, signs, and road adherence to specifications, and
markings to enhance safety, safety protocols.
reduce congestion, and ensure
efficient traffic movement.
HIGHWAYS AND RAILROADS PRELIM
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. ALAN WRIGHT ALIB
4. MAINTENANCE expansion of road networks
a. Maintenance is essential for the across Europe.
longevity and safety of 4. BRITISH ROADS
transportation infrastructure. It a. John Macadam, a British
includes regular inspections, engineer, introduced a scientific
repairs, and upgrades to ensure approach to road construction,
that roads, bridges, and tunnels using layers of crushed stone.
remain in good condition. His method, known as
Engineers develop maintenance macadamization, became the
plans and oversee their foundation for modern road
implementation. construction.
History of Highway 5. MODERN ROADS
a. Modern highway engineering
Engineering utilizes advanced materials,
1. ANCIENT ROADS construction techniques, and
a. The earliest roads were simply traffic management systems.
footpaths, created by the The focus is on creating safe,
gradual wear and tear of human efficient, and sustainable
movement. These paths were transportation infrastructure
often used for hunting, that meets the needs of modern
gathering, and connecting society.
settlements.
Scope of Traffic
2. ROMAN ROADS
a. The Romans developed a highly Engineering
sophisticated road construction 1. TRAFFIC FLOW OPTIMIZATION
system, using durable materials b. Traffic engineers design and
like stone and concrete. They implement strategies to ensure
built an extensive network of smooth and efficient traffic flow,
roads, connecting their empire minimizing congestion and
and facilitating the movement of delays. This includes optimizing
troops, goods, and people. signal timing, road layouts, and
3. FRENCH ROADS traffic management systems.
a. In the 18th century, French 2. SAFETY ENHANCEMENT
engineers like Jerome a. Traffic engineering plays a
Tresaguet developed cheaper critical role in reducing traffic
and more efficient road accidents and improving road
construction methods, using safety. This involves designing
gravel and smaller stones. This safe road layouts, implementing
innovation contributed to the speed limits, and installing
safety features.
HIGHWAYS AND RAILROADS PRELIM
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. ALAN WRIGHT ALIB
3. ENVIRONMENTAL ● INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
CONSIDERATIONS ○ Maintaining and expanding
a. Traffic engineering aims to transportation infrastructure
minimize the environmental requires significant investment,
impact of transportation by particularly in developing
promoting sustainable countries, where infrastructure
transportation options, reducing development is critical for
congestion, and optimizing fuel economic growth.
efficiency. ● TECHNOLOGICAL
4. DATA ANALYSIS AND MODELING ADVANCEMENTS
a. Traffic engineers use data ○ Emerging technologies like
analysis and modeling tools to autonomous vehicles, electric
understand traffic patterns, vehicles, and smart
identify bottlenecks, and transportation systems offer
develop effective solutions to promising solutions to address
improve traffic flow and safety. challenges in transportation.
Challenges and Conclusion and Key
Opportunities in Takeaways
● Transportation plays a vital role in
Transportation
our daily lives and the well-being of
● TRAFFIC CONGESTION
society. It is crucial for economic
○ Growing urbanization and
growth, social development, and
increased vehicle ownership
environmental sustainability.
have led to severe traffic
Addressing challenges such as
congestion in many cities,
traffic congestion, energy
impacting travel times,
consumption, and infrastructure
productivity, and the
investment is essential for creating
environment.
a more efficient, sustainable, and
● ENERGY CONSUMPTION
equitable transportation system for
○ Transportation is a major
the future. By embracing innovative
consumer of energy,
technologies and investing in
contributing to greenhouse gas
sustainable solutions, we can
emissions and dependence on
harness the power of transportation
fossil fuels. Sustainable
to connect people, create
transportation solutions are
opportunities, and build a better
crucial to mitigate this impact.
world for generations to come.
HIGHWAYS AND RAILROADS PRELIM
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. ALAN WRIGHT ALIB
HIGHWAY DEVELOPMENT ● To fix up date-wise priorities for the
development of each road link
AND PLANNING based on utility as the main
● PLANNING criterion for phasing the road
➢ Highway planning development program.
■ involves the estimation of ● To plan for future requirements and
current and future traffic improvement of roads in view of
volumes on a road network. anticipated developments. O
■ is also a basic need for ● To work out a financing system.
Highway development.
Highway engineers strive to
CLASSIFICATION OF
predict and analyze all ROADS
possible civil impacts of ● ALL-WEATHER ROADS
highway systems. Some ○ All-weather roads are those
considerations are the which are negotiable during all
adverse effects on the seasons of the year, except at
environment, such as noise major river crossings where
pollution, air pollution, water some interruption to traffic is
pollution, and other permissible up to a certain
ecological impacts. extent, but the road pavement
THE IMPORTANCE OF should be negotiable during all
weathers.
HIGHWAY PLANNING ● FAIR-WEATHER ROADS
● To plan a road network for efficient ○ On 'fair-weather roads' the
and safe traffic operation but at a traffic may be interrupted
minimum cost. Here the costs of during monsoon season at
construction, maintenance, and causeways where streams may
renewal of pavement layers and the overflow across the road.
vehicle operation costs are to be ● EARTH ROADS AND GRAVEL
given due to construction. ROADS
● To arrive at the road system and the ○ Based on the type of carriage
lengths of different categories of way or the road pavement, it
roads that could provide maximum may be a paved road with at
utility and could be constructed least a water-bound macadam
within the available resources layer; or it may be an unpaved
during the plan period under road.
construction.
HIGHWAYS AND RAILROADS PRELIM
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. ALAN WRIGHT ALIB
● BLACK-TOP ROADS ● SUB-ARTERIAL STREETS
○ Superior paved roads have ○ The city roads which provided
bituminous surface or concrete lower level of travel mobility
surface for the carriageway. A than arterial streets, are called
bituminous road is also known sub-arterial streets. Their
as a black-top road. spacing may vary from 0.5 km in
Urban roads are classified central business districts to 3 to
5 km in sub-urban areas.
based on their function Loading and unloading are
and location: usually restricted. Pedestrians
● EXPRESSWAYS are allowed to cross these
○ The city roads which are highways at intersections.
reserved for motor traffic with ● COLLECTOR STREETS
full or partial control access and ○ The city roads which are
are provided with grade constructed for collecting and
separation at intersections are distributing the traffic to and
called expressways. These are from local streets, and also to
generally constructed to have provide an access to arterial
direct connection between major and sub-arterial streets, are
points of traffic generation in called collector streets. These
industrial or commercial or are located in residential,
business districts. Along business and industrial areas.
expressways, the motor traffic These roads are accessible from
attains very high speeds. the buildings along them.
● ARTERIAL STREETS Parking restrictions are few and
○ The city roads which are meant that too during peak hours.
for traffic usually on a ● LOCAL STREETS
continuous route are called ○ The city roads which provide an
arterial streets. Arterial streets access to residence, business
are generally spaced at less and other buildings, are called
than 15 km in developed local streets. The traffic carried
business centers whereas in less either originates or terminates
important areas, these may be 8 along the local streets.
km apart. Arterial roads are also Depending upon the important
divided highways with fully or of the adjoining areas, a local
partially controlled access. street may be residential,
Parking, loading, and unloading commercial or industrial. Along
are carefully regulated local streets pedestrians may
move freely and parking may be
HIGHWAYS AND RAILROADS PRELIM
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. ALAN WRIGHT ALIB
permitted without any ● FREEWAY
restriction. ○ An arterial highway with
In this context, certain controlled access crossing other
roads at different levels.
definitions are relevant: ● BOULEVARD
● ROAD ○ Very wide road with an avenue
○ A convenient way over which on its either side; generally used
vehicles may lawfully pass for for ceremonial processions or
going from one place to another. considered as prestigious road
● SERVICE ROAD in a city.
○ Used for servicing and as a
ROAD PATTERNS
means of access to adjacent
1. GRIDIRON PATTERN
property; constructed parallel to
a. This is also known as rectangular
the main road adjacent to
or block pattern and is perhaps
roadside buildings.
the simplest.
● STREET
b. The Romans preferred it, as
○ A road within a town or a
have the Americans who
residential locality with buildings
adopted it in many of their
on one or both sides.
cities.
● COUNTRY ROAD
c. This is easy to set out in straight
○ The road connecting one place
lines and rectangular
to another in the countryside.
● URBAN ROAD co-ordinates and is suitable for
○ A road within a town or a city. flat terrain
● BYPASS ROAD 2. RADIAL PATTERN
○ A road constructed skirting a a. In this pattern, roads emanate
village or a small town, taking from a central focal area, which
off through a highway and may be a business center or an
joining it after bypassing the important public building. In
inhabited area; this helps traffic order to ease the congestion in
to move fast without having to the focal area, ring roads are
enter the village or town. provided; there can be several
● HIGHWAY such roads inner, intermediate,
○ Any public road or street may be and outer depending on the
called a highway. requirements of the traffic.
● ARTERIAL ROAD b. The shape of a ring road may be
○ Road passing within a city and round, square, or elongated.
linking the state or national Based on this, the pattern may
highway, with limited access. be star and grid, or star and
circular.
HIGHWAYS AND RAILROADS PRELIM
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. ALAN WRIGHT ALIB
3. HEXAGONAL PATTERN 2. FINANCE STUDIES
a. The basic figure of the road b. Source of income. Various
network in this case is a financial aspects such as the
hexagon; each hexagon has at sources of funding, estimated
least one side common with an revenue from taxes on vehicles,
adjacent pattern. toll tax, and indirect benefits of
b. The hexagonal pattern can be raising the living standards of
modified by dividing the the people due to the proposed
hexagon into six triangle units road network are considered
by link roads; this facilitates 3. TRAFFIC OR ROAD USE STUDIES
travel from one place to any c. Details of the existing road
other place in the area in the facilities, traffic volume in
minimum possible time, vehicles per day, traffic flow
compared to any other pattern. patterns, classes of traffic such
This, in fact, is known as a as passenger cars, busses and
'minimum travel pattern and trucks, loads carried, average
was used in certain cities to speeds, anticipated future
great advantage trends of traffic growth, and
PLANNING SURVEYS: other traffic- related studies are
to be conducted.
HIGHWAY ALIGNMENT 4. ENGINEERING STUDIES
AND SURVEYS d. These include the study of the
For accessing the road length topography, soil, road life, and
requirement, the following studies are special problems, if any, relating
made: to construction, drainage, and
1. ECONOMIC STUDIES maintenance.
a. Details of the existing facilities, HIGHWAY ALIGNMENT
their utility, distribution of the ● The laying out of the center line of a
existing population in the area, proposed highway on the ground is
population growth trends, called its alignment.
existing products in the ● A new road should be aligned
agricultural and industrial carefully since any change in
sectors. future trends of alignment may not be possible or
development in these sectors, may be expensive at a later stage,
existing communication and owing to increased land acquisition
education. facilities, and the per costs and roadside structures
capita income are to be constructed after the road has
collected. taken shape.
HIGHWAYS AND RAILROADS PRELIM
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. ALAN WRIGHT ALIB
Requirements of an Ideal Urban roads are classified
Alignment based on their function
5. DIRECTNESS: STRAIGHT and location:
○ The aligned route between
● HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT
endpoints should be as direct as
○ This is the alignment of the
possible and result in the
roadway in the horizontal plane,
minimum possible length under
although it is ideal to have a
the circumstances.
straight route between
6. EASE OF CONSTRUCTION,
endpoints, it is practically
MAINTENANCE, AND OPERATION:
impossible owing to several
EASY ACCESS
constraints. A change in
○ The alignment should be such
direction necessitates the use of
that it is easy to construct,
horizontal curves for a smooth
maintain, and operate the
flow of traffic
highway. The curves and
● VERTICAL ALIGNMENT
gradients should be easy.
○ Although it is ideal to have a
7. SAFETY
roadway at the same elevation
○ Safety for road users should be
throughout, this is almost
the primary consideration, and
impractical and gradients or
the stability of natural slopes
slopes along the length become
and man-made slopes for
mandatory. A change in
embankments and cuttings
gradient calls for curves in the
should be ensured to prevent
vertical plane; vertical curves
possible accidents.
should be designed and
8. ECONOMY
constructed for smooth flow of
○ The overall cost of construction
traffic based on several criteria.
and maintenance of the road, as
The alignment may be
also the operation cost of the
smoothened as shown below.
vehicles should be as low as
possible.
9. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
○ Depending upon the purpose of
the highway and the
characteristics of the terrain,
special considerations may be
needed as in the case of hill
roads.
HIGHWAYS AND RAILROADS PRELIM
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. ALAN WRIGHT ALIB
Factors Controlling degree; radii of horizontal
curves and longitudinal
Alignment gradients should facilitate easy
The selection of alignment of a maneuvering of vehicles.
proposed new highway route will be 13. GEOMETRIC DESIGN ASPECTS
based on a careful consideration of the ○ The alignment should be such
following factors: that bridges are located at right
10. OBLIGATORY POINTS angles to the direction of flow of
○ These are the points through the stream or river.
which the alignment must 14. PROXIMITY TO MATERIALS AND
necessarily pass for maximum LABOR
utilization of the road. ○ Proximity to the sources of
○ While aligning a new highway materials for road-making and
route between two endpoints, it the availability of cheap labor
would be necessary to make it may be a criterion for fixing the
pass through places of alignment.
importance. This may be based 15. ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS
on the population that can be ○ Before an alignment is chosen,
served, or places of business or two or three alternative routes
industrial importance may have to be investigated,
11. TOPOGRAPHICAL and their overall cost initial
○ Topographical features like a outlay and maintenance cost
lake or a hillock may require the over a design period compared.
alignment to be taken around The route with the best economy
them. is then selected.
○ In the case of a big hill, the 16. POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS
option of constructing a tunnel ○ Sometimes, political
through it to maintain a straight considerations may dictate the
alignment can be considered. choice of alignment, setting
The relative costs of these aside even economic
options must be studied to considerations. Of course, the
finalize the alignment. other important criteria have to
12. GEOMETRIC DESIGN ASPECTS be necessarily born in mind
○ Factors such as radius of the
curve, longitudinal gradients,
sight distances, road
intersections, design speed,
lateral friction, and
superelevation govern the
alignment to a considerable
HIGHWAYS AND RAILROADS PRELIM
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. ALAN WRIGHT ALIB
SURVEYS g. To choose the best alignment
from all angles.
Highway alignment and location are
4. LOCATION SURVEY
facilitated by a systematic step-by-step
h. This involves the location of the
procedure of conducting engineering
final alignment on the ground
surveys.
and includes pegging the center
1. STUDY OF TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS
line; establishing benchmarks
a. Topographic maps are contour
and determining levels at the
maps with 15 to 30 m contour
pegged stations and at critical
intervals and show important
points of change in slope.
topographic features like rivers,
5. SOIL SURVEY
valleys, ridges, and hills. By a
i. The nature and extent of the
careful study of these maps, it is
soils available in and around the
possible to align highways
chosen route must be
bearing in mind the obligatory
ascertained. The purpose of a
points.
soil survey is to identify and
2. RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY
classify soil for use in the design
b. The objective of the
and construction of the road.
reconnaissance survey is to
6. CONSTRUCTION SURVEY
physically examine the possible
j. This consists of removing all
alignments observed during the
under-growths such as
study of topographical maps,
shrubbery, thickets, tree stumps,
Details of certain features not
and garbage along the route,
available from the map study
setting out the center-line and
are collected during the
the right of way by affixing pegs
reconnaissance survey.
at appropriate intervals, cutting
3. PRELIMINARY SURVEY
a narrow V-shaped cut called
c. The objectives of a preliminary
'Lockspit' in between the pegs
survey are:
along the route and making the
d. To compare the proposed routes
necessary preparations for the
chosen during reconnaissance
implementation of the project.
for a good alignment.
e. To carry out accurate fieldwork
for detailed surveys on the
chosen alternative routes
f. To estimate the quantities of the
earthwork and other materials
to facilitate the preparation of
detailed and abstract estimates
of the project cost.
HIGHWAYS AND RAILROADS PRELIM
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. ALAN WRIGHT ALIB
DESIGN CRITERIA FOR infrastructure and reduce the need
for frequent repairs.
HIGHWAYS AND RAILWAY 4. SUSTAINABILITY: Good design
● A highway is a major road designed incorporates environmental
for high-speed traffic, typically considerations, helping to reduce
connecting cities, towns, or regions. the impact on natural resources and
Highways are usually constructed to ecosystems.
support a significant volume of 5. ACCESSIBILITY: Proper design
vehicles and often have features ensures that infrastructure is
such as multiple lanes. accessible to everyone, including
● A railway is a system of people with disabilities.
transportation that uses trains 6. AESTHETICS: The visual appeal of
running on tracks to move people infrastructure can enhance the
and goods from one place to quality of life and contribute to the
another. It typically consists of a identity and attractiveness of a
network of railroads, which are place. Aesthetic considerations can
metal tracks laid out in parallel lines, also impact the value of properties
along with associated infrastructure and encourage community pride.
such as stations, signals, and 7. FUNCTIONALITY: Effective design
maintenance facilities. ensures that infrastructure meets
IMPORTANCE OF DESIGN the needs of its users. For example,
a well-designed transit system
IN INFRASTRUCTURE
should accommodate the expected
1. SAFETY: Well-designed
number of passengers and integrate
infrastructure minimizes risks and
smoothly with other modes of
enhances safety for users. For
transportation.
example, proper road design can
8. RESILIENCE: Good design helps
reduce accidents, while effective
infrastructure withstand and recover
drainage systems prevent flooding.
from adverse conditions, such as
2. EFFICIENCY: Efficient design
natural disasters. This involves
optimizes the use of resources and
considering factors like structural
space. In transportation,
integrity and incorporating adaptive
well-planned routes and systems
features.
improve traffic flow and reduce
travel time.
3. COST-EFFECTIVENESS: Thoughtful
design can reduce construction and
maintenance costs. For instance,
durable materials and effective
planning can extend the lifespan of
HIGHWAYS AND RAILROADS PRELIM
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. ALAN WRIGHT ALIB
COMPARISON OVERVIEW COMPARISON OVERVIEW
● HIGHWAYS ● RAILWAYS
○ MODE OF TRANSPORTATION: ○ MODE OF TRANSPORTATION:
Vehicles like cars, trucks, and Trains travel on fixed tracks.
buses travel on paved roads. ○ FLEXIBILITY: Less flexible;
○ FLEXIBILITY: Offers trains follow fixed routes with
point-to-point travel with specific stations.
flexibility in route choices. ○ CONSTRUCTION AND
○ CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE: More
MAINTENANCE: Generally less expensive to build due to the
expensive to build than railways need for specialized tracks and
but requires frequent infrastructure but generally
maintenance. lower maintenance costs
○ CAPACITY: Limited by road compared to highways.
space and can be congested, ○ CAPACITY: High capacity for
especially in urban areas. both passengers and freight;
○ SPEED: Variable, depending on less likely to be congested.
traffic and road conditions; ○ SPEED: Typically faster for
generally slower than railways long-distance travel; high-speed
over long distances. trains can be significantly
○ ACCESSIBILITY: Provides quicker than road travel.
direct access to various ○ ACCESSIBILITY: Limited to
destinations; can reach more stations and rail lines; less direct
locations due to extensive road access compared to highways.
networks. ○ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
○ ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Generally more eco-friendly,
Higher emissions due to vehicle especially with electric trains,
exhaust; contributes to air resulting in lower emissions.
pollution. ○ SAFETY: Generally safer with
○ SAFETY: Prone to accidents due fewer accidents due to
to variable driving conditions controlled tracks and dedicated
and driver behavior. routes.
HIGHWAYS AND RAILROADS PRELIM
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. ALAN WRIGHT ALIB
DESIGN CRITERIA FOR ○ Implement barriers or design to
minimize noise.
HIGHWAYS ○ Include crossings for animal
Designing highways involves a range of safety.
considerations to ensure they are safe,
efficient, and environmentally friendly.
DESIGN CRITERIA FOR
Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
● GEOMETRIC DESIGN RAILWAYS
○ Smooth curves and gradients Designing railways involves several key
for safe travel. aspects to ensure efficient and safe
○ Proper grading for drainage and operations. Here’s a streamlined
visibility. overview of the design criteria:
○ Appropriate lane, shoulder ● TRACK ALIGNMENT
widths, and slopes based on ○ Design curves with appropriate
traffic and design speed. radii to accommodate train
● PAVEMENT DESIGN speeds and reduce lateral
○ Choose based on traffic and forces.
weather. ○ Ensure smooth transitions
○ Include surface, binder, and between gradients to maintain
sub-base layers. comfort and stability for trains.
○ Based on load and soil ● TRACK STRUCTURE
conditions. ○ Use strong, continuous rails.
● DRAINAGE CONSIDERATIONS ○ Durable sleepers to support and
○ Design slopes to direct water align rails.
away. ○ Stabilize sleepers and aid
○ Use systems like French drains drainage.
to manage infiltrating water. ● SIGNALING SYSTEMS
○ Install culverts and ditches to ○ Signals: Clear signals for train
prevent flooding. control and safety.
● SAFETY FEATURES ○ Communication: Reliable
○ Clear, reflective signs for systems for real-time updates.
guidance and warnings. ● STATION AND PLATFORM DESIGN
○ Use guardrails and crash ○ Stations: Facilities for
barriers where needed. passengers, including amenities.
○ Adequate street lighting for ○ Platforms: Correct height and
night visibility. length for easy boarding.
● ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
○ Prevent soil erosion with
vegetation or mats.
HIGHWAYS AND RAILROADS PRELIM
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. ALAN WRIGHT ALIB
● LOAD AND SPEED ECONOMIC FACTORS
CONSIDERATIONS
○ Load Capacity: Tracks must ● Highways: Assess costs of
handle expected loads. construction, maintenance, and
○ Speed Limits: Set based on track potential for boosting local
design and safety. economies through improved
connectivity.
Comparison: Factors ● Railways: Evaluate the cost of
infrastructure, long-term
Influencing Design operational expenses, and
When comparing factors influencing benefits for freight and
design across different types of passenger transport efficiency.
infrastructure, such as highways and
railways, the following aspects are TRAFFIC CHARACTERISTICS
considered:
SAFETY ● Highways: Design based on
expected traffic volumes,
● Highways: Focus on road signs, vehicle types, and speed
barriers, lighting, and clear requirements to ensure smooth
alignment to prevent accidents flow and reduce congestion.
and ensure safe driving ● Railways: Plan for train
conditions. frequency, load capacities, and
● Railways: Emphasize signaling speed to optimize service and
systems, track integrity, and minimize delays.
level crossings to prevent
collisions and ensure safe train LAND USE AND TOPOGRAPHY
operations.
● Highways: Adapt to varying land
SOCIAL FACTORS uses, such as urban, rural, or
industrial areas, and navigate
● Highways: Consider impacts on diverse topographies through
local communities, accessibility, grading and alignment
and integration with existing adjustments.
transportation systems. ● Railways: Align tracks
● Railways: Address community considering land use for efficient
access to stations, integration routes and address
with urban transit, and impacts topographical challenges like
on residential areas. hills or rivers with tunnels or
bridges.
HIGHWAYS AND RAILROADS PRELIM
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. ALAN WRIGHT ALIB
Factors Influencing alignment and access to local
services.
Highway Design
FACTORS INFLUENCING
● TRAFFIC VOLUME
○ Tailor lane width, road capacity, RAILWAY DESIGN
and alignment based on ● TYPE OF TRAINS
anticipated traffic flow to ensure ○ Design tracks and infrastructure
smooth operation and reduce based on whether the focus is on
congestion. freight, passenger, or mixed-use.
● TERRAIN AND TOPOGRAPHY ● SPEED REQUIREMENTS
○ Adapt road layout to handle ○ Adapt track geometry,
varying elevations, slopes, and curvature, and signaling for the
natural obstacles. This may desired train speeds.
include grading, cut-and-fill ● LOAD CAPACITY
techniques, and structures like ○ Ensure tracks and structures
bridges or tunnels. support the maximum expected
● ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT loads for both trains and freight.
○ Minimize disruption to ● TOPOGRAPHICAL CHALLENGES
ecosystems, manage runoff, and ○ Address elevation changes and
reduce pollution. Incorporate natural features with
features like wildlife crossings appropriate engineering
and erosion control measures. solutions like tunnels and
● ECONOMIC FACTORS bridges.
○ Balance construction and ● ELECTRIFICATION AND
maintenance costs with benefits SIGNALING SYSTEMS
like improved connectivity and ○ Integrate systems for efficient
economic development. train control and power supply,
Consider the potential for ensuring reliability and safety.
boosting local economies and
reducing travel time.
● URBAN VS. RURAL SETTINGS
FACTORS
○ In urban areas, focus on
integrating with existing
infrastructure and addressing
high traffic densities. In rural
areas, design for lower traffic
volumes and greater distances,
considering factors like road