Transportation Engineering

Cross section

Dr. Lina Shbeeb

Cross Section Elements 1. Roadway 2. Median 3. Roadside

Roadway Components 1. Travel Lanes 2. Shoulders

Dr. Lina Shbeeb

Source:http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/flex/ch06.htm

Two-lane highway cross section

Dr. Lina Shbeeb

Travel lane/carriageway
  Function: guidance to drivers and vehicle support Pavement types:
 Paved  (Flexible pavement)  Asphalt concrete,  surface treatment  Rigid pavement Unpaved Traffic volume and composition Soil characteristics Availability of materials Environmental issues including energy conservation Cost analysis (Initial cost, maintenance cost and operating cost)
Dr. Lina Shbeeb

Selection Criteria:
    

Travel Lane width

Environment Ideal Urban area with restriction low speed/urban roadways low volume rural and residential roadways shared outside lane with bike
Dr. Lina Shbeeb

Width 3.6 m (12ft) 3.5 m (11ft) 3.0 m (10ft) 2.7 m (9 ft) 4.2 m (14 ft)

Roadway Component Shoulders

1.Functions: a. Lateral Support b. Avoidance Space c. Emergency Stop d. Turning/Passing at Intersections e. Pedestrian use in rural area. 2.Geometry 0.6 to 3.6 m width it could be either paved or Unpaved surface with slope 2 to 6% (paved), 4 to 6% (unpaved)
Dr. Lina Shbeeb

Cross Section Element - Median

1. Functions: a. Separation from opposing traffic b. Drainage c. For future lanes, recovery, access control a. Aesthetics 2. Type a. Depressed (rural arterials, 6:1 preferred? 4:1 min) b. Raised (urban arterials) c. Flush (urban/sub. some rural) can be painted with double yellows to limit access. d. Median barrier 3. Width varies according to their function, Dr. cost) the availability of space and Lina Shbeeb

Cross Slope
 Slope perpendicular to flow of traffic on tangent section  Rural normal crown uniform slope from center to edge of pavement (cross slope break typically at centerline)  Urban parabolic shape sometimes (gutter capacity)  Rate of Cross Slope (1.5% to 6%, high value for low volume roads)
Dr. Lina Shbeeb

Other elements of highways

Roadside Barriers
Separates vehicles from hazardous conditions

Curbs and Gutters

Provides channelization and drainage
Roadside barrier

Guide Rails
Longitudinal barriers which prevent vehicles from leaving roadbed (Box, Wbeam and wire)
Median barrier
Dr. Lina Shbeeb