Highway Location/Route

Surveying

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 Highway Location
Selecting the location of a proposed highway
is an important initial step in design. The
decision to select a particular location is
usually based on :

1. Topography
2. Soil characteristics
3. Environmental factors
4. Economic factors

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 Highway Location
The data required for the decision process are usually
obtained from different types of surveys, depending on
the factors being considered.

1. Computerized techniques

i. Remote sensing -- uses aerial photographs for

the preparation of maps.
ii. Computer graphics -- is a combination of the
analysis of computer-generated data with a
display on a computer monitor.
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 Highway Location
The basic principle for locating a highways is that
roadway elements such as curvature and grade must
blend with each other to produce a system that provides
for the easy flow of traffic at the design capacity, while
meeting design criteria and safety standards. The
highway should also cause a minimal disruption to
historic and archeological sites and to other land-use
activities and utilities. Environmental impact studies are
therefore required in most cases before a highway
location is finally agreed upon.

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 Highway Location

The highway location process involves the following

four survey phases:

1. Office study of existing information.

2. Reconnaissance survey.
3. Preliminary location survey.
4. Finally location survey.

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 Highway Location
1. Office study of existing information

 Examination of all available data of the area in which the

road is to be constructed.
 Carried out in the office prior to any field or
photogrammetric investigation.
 Data can be obtained from existing engineering reports,
maps, aerial photographs, and charts.
 Objective: to indicate whether any of the specific sites
should be excluded.
 At the completion of this phase of the study, the engineer
will be able to select general areas through which the
highway can traverse.

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 Highway Location
2. Reconnaissance survey

 Objective: to identify several feasible routes.

 Aerial photography is widely used to obtain the required
information.
 Feasible routes are identified by a stereoscopic examination
of the aerial photographs, taking in consideration factors such
as:
1. Terrain and soil conditions
2. Serviceability of route to industrial and population
areas
3. Crossing of other transportation facilities, such as
rivers, railroads, and highways
4. Directness of route
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 Highway Location

3. Preliminary locations survey

 The positions of the feasible routes are set as closely as

possible by establishing all the control points and
determining preliminary vertical and horizontal
alignments for each.

 Preliminary alignments are used to evaluate the economic

and environmental feasibility of the alternative routes.

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 Highway Location
4. Final Location Survey

 A detailed layout of the selected route.

 The horizontal and vertical alignments are determined, and the
positions of structures and drainage channels are located.
 How? Set out the points of intersections (PI) of the straight
portions of the highway and fit suitable horizontal curves
between them. A trial-and-error process until the best alignment
is obtained; engineering and aesthetic factors.
 After the final location, plans and specifications are prepared,
useful in highway construction and used for the preparation of
engineer's estimate and contractor's bid.
 Plans are drawings that contain all details necessary for proper
constructions.
 Specifications give written instructions on quality and materials.
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 Highway Location
Factors inflecting the highway design

Geometric design deals with the dimensioning of the elements of highways, such as
vertical and horizontal curves, cross sections, truck climbing lanes, emergency exit
ramps, walking tracks, bicycle paths and parking facilities.

Highway design standards depend on the following factors:

1. Functional classification
2. Design hourly traffic volume and vehicle mix
3. Design speed
4. Design vehicle
5. Cross section of the highway, such as lanes, shoulders, and medians
6. Presence of heavy vehicles on steep grades
7. Topography of the area that the highway traverses
8. Level of service
9. Available funds
10. Safety
11. Social and environmental factors
Geometric Design of Highways CE 443
 Highway Location
Alternative analysis

By using the topographical maps three alternatives could be

selected according to the following criteria

1. Horizontal alignment parallel to the counter lines

2. No crossing of major residential areas
3. Avoid high mountains and deep valleys
4. Ensure no environmental damage or harm to historical and
archeological sites
5. The alignment should provide easy gradient and smooth
curves
6. Avoid crossing with main roads and waterways
7. Avoid the design of sharp horizontal curves near the sag
vertical curve
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 Highway Location
Selecting the best alternative

According to many factors:

1. The suitable length of the highway

2. The cut and fill volumes should be balance as much as
possible (minimize required earthwork)
3. The height of cut and fill should not exceed 10 m.
4. Avoid crossing water bodies
5. The grades of the alignment should satisfy the specifications
and standards (max slope 6% or up to 8 or 10% under certain
circumstances and min slope 0.5% for drainage purposes)
6. Minimum number of horizontal and vertical curves should be
considered.
Geometric Design of Highways CE 443
Graduation Project

1. Contour Map

Geometric Design of Highways CE 443

 Graduation Project
2. Setting up alternatives

1. First design step for a proposed project

2. Avoid steep valleys and/or high mountains
3. Serve the maximum possible population and industrial
centers
4. Reduce the length of the road as possible for time and cost
saving
5. For convince, make route as straight as possible
6. Ensure smooth curves for easy maneuver
7. Balance the amount of cut and fill

Geometric Design of Highways CE 443

Field Location of Simple Horizontal
Curves

Geometric Design of Highways CE 443

 Alternatives
3. Roadway profile diagram

1. Shown for each alternative

2. Shows the ground level profile along the centerline of the
road
3. Maximum cut or fill height = 10m
4. No sag curve in cut regions
5. Maximum grade = 8% (10% in some areas)
6. Minimum grade = 0.5% (drainage purposes)
7. Total height of cut is as close as possible to total height of
fill

Geometric Design of Highways CE 443

Roadway Profile Diagram

Geometric Design of Highways CE 443

 For each alternatives
Total height of cut =
Total height of fill =
Length =
Max grade =
Number of horizontal curves =
Number of vertical curves =

4. Select the best alternative

Geometric Design of Highways CE 443

 For selected alternatives

5. Stations
6. Areas (planimeter)
7. Volumes (average end area method)
8. Mass Haul Diagram (MHD)

Geometric Design of Highways CE 443