CE 344 Highway Geometric Design (3 - 0:3)

Description: Principles of route location. Horizontal alignment; design and setting out (circular curve element, setting out of circular and transition curves,
superelevation. Sight distance; stopping and passing sight distance. Vertical alignment; design and setting out (properties of vertical curves). Coordination of
horizontal and vertical curves. Capacity of two-lane highways. Geometric design of intersection.

Pre-requisite: Surveying, CE 341.

Student Assessment and Grading: Assignments and Quizes (10%), Projects (5%); 2 Exams @ 22.5% each 45%), Final Exam (40%)
Learning outcomes, delivery and assessment methods- Cross Reference Table:
Student Learning Outcome Method of Delivery Assessment Methods Program objectives
1. familiarize Lectures, examples Assignments, a, d, e, h, I
students with the fundamentals concepts and problems, homeworks and exams,
of highways geometric route location. instruments, real field measurements
measurements, video
shows
2. design and layout horizontal and Lectures, Assignments, projects a, b, c,d ,e f, h, k
vertical curves. demonstrations, field and exams
measurements, and
small projects.
3. design intersections and overcome Lectures, examples, Assignments, projects a, b, c,d ,e,f, g, h, I, j, k
special curve problems. problems, and field and exams
measurements.
4. attain superelevation and sight Lectures, examples Assignments, projects a, b, c,d ,e,f, g, h, I, j, k
distances. and problems and exams

ABET a-k Engineering and Technology program objectives

(a) An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, (e) An ability to identify, formulate, and solve (i) A recognition of the need for, and an ability to
science, and engineering engineering problems engage in life-long learning
(b) An ability to design and conduct experiments, to (f) An understanding of professional and ethical (j) A knowledge of contemporary issues
analyze and interpret data responsibility (k) An ability to use the techniques, skills, and
(c) An ability to design a system, component, or (g) An ability to communicate effectively modern engineering tools necessary for
process to meet desired needs (h) The broad education necessary to understand the engineering practice
(d) An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams impact of engineering solutions in a global and
societal context
 Mapping of course (CE 344) objectives to CE program objectives

Program Objectives
Assessment
Course Objective Delivery Methods (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k)
Methods
1.familiarize students with the Lectures, examples Assignments,
fundamental concepts of highways and problems, homeworks
geometric route location. instruments, real and exams, X X X X X
measurements, video field
shows measurements
2.design and layout horizontal Lectures, Assignments,
and vertical curves. demonstrations, field projects and X X X X X X X X
measurements, and exams
small projects.
3.design intersections and Lectures, examples, Assignments,
overcome special curve problems, and field projects and X X X X X X X X X X X
problems. measurements. exams
4.attain superelevation and sight Lectures, examples Assignments,
distances. and problems projects and X X X X X X X X X X X
exams

ABET a-k Engineering and Technology program objectives

(a) An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, (e) An ability to identify, formulate, and solve (i) A recognition of the need for, and an ability to
science, and engineering engineering problems engage in life-long learning
(b) An ability to design and conduct experiments, to (f) An understanding of professional and ethical (j) A knowledge of contemporary issues
analyze and interpret data responsibility (k) An ability to use the techniques, skills, and
(c) An ability to design a system, component, or (g) An ability to communicate effectively modern engineering tools necessary for
process to meet desired needs (h) The broad education necessary to understand the engineering practice
(d) An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams impact of engineering solutions in a global and
societal context
CE 344 Highway Geometric Design

Catalog Data CE 344 Highway Geomatric Design (3 0 : 3)

Principles of route location. Horizontal alignment; design and setting out (circular curve
element, setting out of circular and transition curves, superelevation. Sight distance; stopping
and passing sight distance. Vertical alignment; design and setting out (properties of vertical
curves). Coordination of horizontal and vertical curves. Capacity of two-lane highways.
Geometric design of intersection.

Textbook 1. Route Surveying and Design; Harper Collins Publishers, by Carle F. Meyer and
David W. Gibson, 1980.
2. A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and streets (1990) - American
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

Reference 1. Elementary Surveying; by J. Fryer, R. Brinker, M. Elfick, and P. Wolf. Seventh

edition (1987).
2. Route Surveying, by Yousif Syam (1986) - (Arabic Reference)

Coordinator Dr. Mohammed T. Obaidat

Goals To highlight the fundamental and mathematical concepts of highway geometric design and
route location, to familiarize students with design and layout of horizontal and vertical
curves, to design intersections and overcome special curve problems, and to attain
superelevations and sight distances.

Learning After successfully completing this course, the students should be able to:
Out 1. understand the basic principles of highway design geometry and route survey.
2. design and layout horizontal and vertical alignments.
com 3. design intersections and overcome special problems.
es: 4. attain superelevation and sight distance
5. design and layout of composite, compound, simple, reverse, and vertical curves.
6. deal with geometrical problems, settingout and layout.
7. know elements of design.

Pre-Requisites 1. Fundemantels of surveying and geomatics 2. Geometrical concepts

by Topic 3. Basic mathematics.
Topics 1. Principles of route location. 3 Lectures (50 min. each)
2. Simple circular curves types; degree of curve, 6 Lecture
measurements on curves, length of curve, computation
of curve parts, location of intersection points, setting
out.
3. Compound circular curves. 2 Lectures
4. Reverse circular curves. 1 Lectures
5. Highway design elements. 3 Lectures
6. Sight distance (passing and stopping) along circular curves. 3 Lectures
7. Transition curves; radial force and design speed, 6 Lectures
superelevation; uses; length; types; transition shift;
setting out; design of composite curves; and wholly
transition curves.
8. Methods of attaining superelevations. 3 Lecture
9. Vertical curves; gradients, purposes, types, vertical 6 Lectures
curve equation, sight distances, K-values, length, setting
out, highest and lowest points, and vertical curves with
unequal tangent lengths.
10. Coordination of vertical and horizontal alignment. 3 Lectures
11. Effect of curvature on calculation of cross-sectional areas 3 Lectures
and volumes.
12. Setting out; aims and important considerations, methods 3 Lectures
of vertical and horizontal control.

13. Special curve problems. 3 Lectures

14. Design of intersections. 3 Lecture

Computer
Usa LAND DEVELOPMENT and is a program used to make 3-D coordinates computation from stereo
ge images.

Assessment Assignments and quizes.. 10% 2 exams @ 22.5% each 45%

and Projects 5% Final Exam . 40%
Gra
ding

Engineering Science 1 Credit

Estimated
Engineering Design and
Content 2 Credit
analysis

Prepared by Dr. Mohammed Taleb Obaidat Date: Nov. 2006