Debre-Brhan University

College of Engineering

Department of Construction Technology and

Management

Highway Engineering
COTM3201

Chapter One: Introduction to Road planning and Design

Abdulmelik A.
2009 E.c
 Course Objectives
Understand the transportation and highway planning
process. Study the various parameters or factors that
make highway location a complex process.
Obtain the fundamental skills of the geometric design
of highways and compute earth works.
To get familiar with the ERA Design manuals as
concerned with the topics discussed in this course.
 Course Content
Chapter 1: Introduction to Road Planning and Design.
Chapter 2: Historical Perspective; Purpose of Road and Route.
selection
Chapter 3: Road Design Considerations;
3.1. Geometric Design of Roads
3.2. Functional Classification of roads,
3.3. Design Controls and Elements.
Chapter 4: Geometric Design of Road Alignments;
4.1. Horizontal and Vertical Alignments
4.2. Road Safety Designs
4.3. Super Elevations, Sight Distance and Road Widening.
Chapter 5: Earth Work
5.1. Earth Work Quantity and Mass Haul Diagram.
Chapter 6: Introduction to Drainage Design and Construction.
 ROAD PLANNING AND DESIGN

Transport (Road) Planning- deals with

Development of a comprehensive plan
Construction and operation of transport facilities
It should use a rational planning process (not political, or
biased)
Elements of Road Planning
Statement of goals and objectives
Identification of needs
Generation of alternatives
Evaluation of alternatives
Implementation Plan
 Government/ Definition of
Political Set-up Transport Goals and
Objectives

Identification of Existing
Future Conditions
Needs Conditions

Determination and/or
Technical
Modification of
Implications
Alternatives
Financial Feasibility
Land use and
Demographic Impact
Economic Impact Environmental
Impact
Evaluation of
Alternatives

Good
Development of
Alternative
Implementation Plan
Available?
Elements of Road Planning
I. Goals and objectives
Policy making body: Local authorities, state or federal govt
Definition of road planning goals and objectives as part of
development plan
Vision: Achieving a certain level of connectivity and ease of
mobility
Examples:
connecting villages to nearest markets/towns
Improvement of air quality in large cities
Reduction of travel time on a certain highway
Increasing the level of service
 Elements of Road Planning Contd.
II. Identification of Needs
Refers to the needs of road system that can satisfy the
stated goals.
Done on the basis of:
Taking the inventory of the existing system
Forecast of future conditions
Travel demand
Traffic volume
III. Generation of Alternatives
Several alternatives can be proposed.
Improving an existing system to meet the objectives
Implementing a new project (Roadways, Airways,
Railways)
 Elements of Road Planning Contd.

IV. Analysis of Alternatives:

a) Financial feasibility
Capital investment
Timing of investment
Operation costs
Maintenance costs
Availability of funds
. then, lastly RANKING projects to decide those
that need to be implemented immediately.
 Elements of Road Planning Contd.
Analysis of Alternatives..
b) Economic Impact Analysis
o Improved business opportunities to the community
o Travel time to users
o Out-of-pocket cost to users
o Contribution to the overall economic and market
activity facilitation
c) Technical Analysis
Assessing if the project at hand is technically
feasible with the available resources at discharge.
 Elements of Road Planning Contd.
Analysis of Alternatives.:
d) Land use and Demographic Impact Analysis
Land use can range from: Unused land to
Shopping complex area
Change in land use can cause changes in
demographics
e) Environmental Impact Analysis
Changes in the natural features of the land.
Loss of habitat for wild life.
Air pollution, Noise pollution,
Strategies for reducing the environmental impact
 The Highway Engineering Environment
The following four Highway Engineering Environments must
be investigated before designing;
1. The Physical Environment
Topography
Geology
Soils
Natural Drainage
Vegetation
Land use
Climate
Materials
 The Highway Engineering Environment
2. The Technological Environment
Skilled manpower
Management manpower
Tools and Equipment
Construction Technology
Technological literacy and awareness
 The Highway Engineering Environment
3. The Economic Environment
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or Gross National
Product (GNP)
Cash crop Vs. Food Crop cultivation
Agricultural Vs. Industrial Production
Distribution of Economic Activity
Export-Import Activity
 The Highway Engineering Environment
4. The Social Environment
Concerns the social and cultural values of the
society
Religious sites and ancient monuments
Safety concerns
Job opportunity
Economic implication
Thank You
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