CE 4371/5371 Final Project (Fall 2024)
Bradley Brooks
R11772068
Problem:
You are required to use OpenRoad to design a new road connecting Town A and Town B as shown in the
following picture, the terrain background file is provided with this assignment and can be downloaded
from the Blackboard. The new road intersects with an existing 4-lane highway (divided with 14 feet
TWLTL) at an at-grade intersection, the posted speed of the existing road is 40 mph. The intersection also
needs to be designed. Note the background terrain file of the existing road is not shown in the given
terrain background file and you DON’T need to design the existing road.
Other known information:
1. The project is located in rural and recreational area.
2. Weather condition: rainy in summer and snowy in winter, maximum e = 6%.
3. The estimated two-way ADT between Town A & B is about 40,000 vpd, assuming that the traffic
consists of passenger cars and SUVs only.
4. The profile of the project area is given (refer to the graph) and no further changes are needed.
5. No Right-of-Way limitation.
6. Town A and Town B are both popular for tourists.
Deliverables:
1. The analysis of the given information and the reasoning for your selection of the following:
1.1 classification of the highway
1.2 design speed
2. The horizontal and vertical alignments.
3. Check of the designed alignments to make sure it does not contain errors.
4. The 3D-view.
5. The cross sections.
6. Transition segments and superelevation.
7. Detailed design of the intersection.
My Design:
1: I made my design to meet town A's and town B's needs. To improve their quality of life, create
a feeling of community, and expand their economic potential, both communities sought a means
of connecting with one another. As we attempt to categorize the route and determine the speed, it
is crucial to remember that both towns A and B are well-known tourist destinations.
1.1: classification of the highway
Since it’s a rural area and with the given data, we can come to a tangent that this highway is a
minor collector or arterial. Due to the design speed and handling capabilities, this highway
classifies a minor arterial. The Green Book section 7.2. also validates this claim.
1.2: design speed
With minor arterial, the design speed ranges around 50-65 mph. The Green Book says to pick a
design speed greater than 45 mph. To be safe, the design speed for this minor arterial highway
will be 60 mph.
2.The horizontal and vertical alignments
Screenshots of my vertical and horizontal alignments are shown below. I had to modify the
alignment to best suit the terrain's natural contours because the project did not include a right of
way. This strategy was adopted to prevent the construction of a road with unreasonably high
heights, which may otherwise make driving dangerous. I made sure the road stayed level and
smooth by adjusting the alignment to the topography. The vertical alignment, which lacks the
rollercoaster-like rapid ascents and descents and instead appears much gentler and gradual, is a
clear example of this. There is discrepancies at the beginning of the vertical alignment but, this
should still be suitable for travel (terrain engulfs the vertical alignment).
3.Check of the designed alignments to make sure it does not contain errors.
From the screenshot below, it tells that the highway has no errors.
4.The 3D-view
The screenshots of my project's 3D view are shown below. The 3D Drive Through feature in
Open Roads Designer, which offers an incredibly accurate and detailed depiction of the design,
was used to take these pictures. With the help of this tool, you may virtually experience the
project from the perspective of a driver, providing a close-up look at the road and its
surroundings. It is especially useful because it allows you to mimic a whole drive across the
entire project from station to station in addition to improving your ability to visualize the design.
Additionally, this simulation makes it possible to find any errors, discrepancies, or potential
improvement areas. Before completing the project, I may use this tool to make sure the design is
safe, effective, and optimized.
5.The cross sections
A screenshot of the cross section I made for the roadway may be found below. The road is
divided and has four lanes, as can be seen in the picture. As is common for this kind of highway
design, this arrangement makes the distinction between the two traffic directions quite evident.
By lowering the chance of head-on collisions, the four lanes are intended to increase safety while
simultaneously handling heavy traffic volumes.
6.Transition segments and superelevation
The curvature of the road has been adjusted to offer safe handling for drivers and seamless transitions, as
shown in the photographs given. The Superelevation was optimized by using the designated e-value of
6% and taking the design speed of 60 mph into account. Every component of the design complies with the
AASHTO 2018 Imperial requirements.
7. Detailed design of the intersection
The intersection design, which incorporates a Basic T (Rural) – Overlay and Widen
configuration, prioritizes safety and functionality. This design was selected using Place Civil
Cell to accommodate the existing highway and provide ample space for turning maneuvers.
Additionally, stop lights will be installed at all approaches to regulate traffic and enhance safety.