Course Outline
Basic Highway Design Skills
Course Outline
Chapter 1: Highway Functions and Classifications
Introduction
Highway Functions
Highway Classifications
Functional Classifications
Urban Systems vs. Rural Systems
Functional Classification as a Design Type
Exercise 1-1: Highway Functional Classification
Exercise 1-2: Describe the Highway Function
Chapter 2: Traffic Basic Concepts
Introduction
Traffic Terminology
Determination of Current Traffic Volumes
Determination of Design Year Traffic Volumes
Exercise 2-1: K-factor, Peak Hour Factor & Design Hour Volume
Exercise 2-2: Peak Hour Factor
Chapter 3: Design Speeds and Running Speeds
Introduction
Impact of Design Speed on Highway Design
Selecting a Design Speed
Running Speed
Exercise 3-1: Design Speed Variations
Chapter 4: Design Vehicle
Introduction
General Vehicle Classes
Determination of Design Vehicle
Turning Path of Design Vehicles
Exercise 4-1: Classes of Design Vehicles and Turning Radii
Exercise 4-2: Effects on Traffic Flow
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Course Outline
Chapter 5: Establishment of Design Criteria
Introduction
Highlight Key Concepts from Chapters 1 through 4
Procedures to Establish Design Criteria
Procedures to Acquire Approval of Design Criteria
Exercise 5-1: Terrain Classification
Exercise 5-2: Design Criteria
Chapter 6: Surveying-Basic Topics
Introduction
Topographic Data Collection
Vertical Locations by Surveying
Horizontal Locations by Surveying
Centerline vs. Baseline
GPS vs. GIS
Exercise 6-1: Differential Leveling
Exercise 6-2: Azimuths and Bearings
Chapter 7: Horizontal Alignment
Introduction
Horizontal Alignment
Horizontal Curves
Simple Curves
Transition (Spiral) Curves
Horizontal Sight Distance
Exercise 7-1: Horizontal Curve Computations
Exercise 7-2: Horizontal Curve Length
Exercise 7-3: Horizontal Sight Distance
Exercise 7-4: Transition (Spiral) Curve Advantages
Chapter 8: Superelevation
Introduction
Application by Highway Classification
Determination of Required Superelevation
Superelevation Transition
Superelevation Tables
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Course Outline
Exercise 8-1: Superelevation Transition
Exercise 8-2: Superelevation Transition
Chapter 9: Sight Distance
Introduction
Sight Distance
Stopping Distance
Decision Sight Distance
Intersection Sight Distance
Exercise 9-1: Stopping Sight Distance
Exercise 9-2: Intersection Sight Distance
Chapter 10: Vertical Alignment
Introduction
Roadway Grades
Vertical Curves
Determining Required Length of Curves
Determining the Elevation along a Vertical Curve
Exercise 10-1: Determine the required length of vertical curve
Exercise 10-2: Determine the required length of vertical curve
Exercise 10-3: Calculate the elevations along a curve
Exercise 10-4: Passing sight distance – required and actual
Appendix
A – Design Criteria from Design Manual 2
B – Solutions to Exercise Problems
C – Review of Coordinate Geometry
D – Selected AASHTO Criteria from – A Policy on Geometric
Design of Highways and Streets, 2004
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Course Outline
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