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Lecture - 3

The document discusses the process of highway route location and survey methods. It describes the four phases of the highway location process: 1) office study of existing information to identify potential areas, 2) reconnaissance survey to identify feasible routes within those areas, 3) preliminary location survey to establish control points and preliminary alignments, and 4) final location survey to determine final horizontal and vertical alignments. It also outlines three common highway survey methods: ground surveys using equipment like total stations and levels, remote sensing using aerial photography and GPS, and computer graphics combining photogrammetry and computer techniques.

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11 views

Lecture - 3

The document discusses the process of highway route location and survey methods. It describes the four phases of the highway location process: 1) office study of existing information to identify potential areas, 2) reconnaissance survey to identify feasible routes within those areas, 3) preliminary location survey to establish control points and preliminary alignments, and 4) final location survey to determine final horizontal and vertical alignments. It also outlines three common highway survey methods: ground surveys using equipment like total stations and levels, remote sensing using aerial photography and GPS, and computer graphics combining photogrammetry and computer techniques.

Uploaded by

رضوان الياسري
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Al-Muthanna University Asst. Prof. Dr.

Hayder Shanbara
College of Engineering 4th Year Stage
Department of Civil Engineering Subject: Highways Engineering

Lecture 3

3.1 Principles of Highway Route Location Process


The basic principle for locating 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. Environmental impact studies are therefore required in most cases before a
highway location is finally agreed upon. The highway location process involves four phases:
1. Office study of existing information.
2. Reconnaissance survey.
3. Preliminary location survey.
4. Final location survey.

3.1.1 Office study of existing information:


The first phase in any highway location study is the examination of all available data of the
area in which the road is to be constructed. This phase is usually carried out in the office prior
to any field or photogrammetric investigation. All the available data are collected and
examined. These data can be obtained from existing engineering reports, maps, aerial
photographs, and charts, which are usually available at one or more of the state’s
departments of transportation, agriculture, geology, hydrology, and mining. The type and
amount of data collected and examined depend on the type of highway being considered, but
in general, data should be obtained on the following characteristics of the area:
• Engineering: including topography, geology, climate, and traffic volumes.
• Social and demographic: including land use and zoning patterns.
• Environmental: including types of wildlife; location of recreational, historic, and
archeological sites; and the possible effects of air, noise, and water pollution.
• Economic: including unit costs for construction and the trend of agricultural,
commercial, and industrial activities.

Preliminary analysis of the data obtained will indicate whether any of the specific sites should
be excluded from further consideration because of one or more of the above characteristics.

Academic Year 2023-2024 / 1st Semester (Lecture 3) 1


Al-Muthanna University Asst. Prof. Dr. Hayder Shanbara
College of Engineering 4th Year Stage
Department of Civil Engineering Subject: Highways Engineering

For example, if it is found that a site of historic and archeological importance is located
within an area being considered for possible route location, it may be immediately decided
that any route that traverse that site should be excluded from further consideration. At the
completion of this phase of the study, the engineer will be able to select general areas through
which the highway can traverse.

3.1.2 Reconnaissance Survey:


The object of this phase of the study is to identify several feasible routes, each within a band
of a limited width of a few hundred meters. When rural roads are being considered, there is
often very little or no information available on maps or photographs, and therefore aerial
photography is widely used to obtain the required information. Feasible routes are identified
by a stereoscopic examination of the aerial photographs, taking into consideration factors
such as:
• Terrain and soil conditions.
• Serviceability of route to industrial and population areas.
• Crossing of other transportation facilities, such as rivers, railroads, and other highways.
• Directness of route.
Control points between the two terminals are determined for each feasible route. For
example, a unique bridge site with no alternative may be taken as a primary control point.
The feasible routes identified are then plotted on photographic base maps.

3.1.3 Preliminary Location Survey:


During this phase of the study, 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.

3.1.4 Final Location Survey:


The final location survey is the detailed layout of the selected route, during which time the
final horizontal and vertical alignments are determined and the final positions of structures
and drainage channels are also determined. The conventional method used is first to set out
the points of intersections (PI) of the straight portions of the highway and then to fit a suitable
horizontal curve between these. This is usually a trial-and-error process until, in the
designer’s opinion, the best alignment is obtained, taking both engineering and aesthetic

Academic Year 2023-2024 / 1st Semester (Lecture 3) 2


Al-Muthanna University Asst. Prof. Dr. Hayder Shanbara
College of Engineering 4th Year Stage
Department of Civil Engineering Subject: Highways Engineering

factors into consideration. Curve templates are available that can be used in this process.
Curve templates are transparencies giving circular curves, three-center compound curves, and
spiral curves of different radii and different standard scales.
Detailed design of the vertical and horizontal alignments are then carried out to obtain both
the deflection angles for horizontal curves and the cuts or fills for vertical curves and straight
sections of the highway.

3.2 Highway Survey Methods


Highway surveys usually involve measuring and computing horizontal and vertical angles,
vertical heights (elevations), and horizontal distances. They are used to prepare base maps,
contour lines and longitudinal cross-section of the highway. Highway surveys are usually
grouped into three general categories:
• Ground surveys, they are the basic location technique for the highway. Common survey
equipment such as the total station and the level are used in this method.
• Remote sensing, is the measurement of distances and elevations by using devices located
above the earth, such as airplanes or orbiting satellites using Global Positioning Satellite
systems (GPS). The most commonly used remote-sensing method is the photogrammetry.
Photogrammetry in highway engineering is for the identification of suitable locations for
highways, referred to as corridor study.
• Computer graphics, this method is a combination of photogrammetry and computer
techniques. All line styles, objects, feature tables and photographic features are recorded
digitally and stored in a computer file. A typical workstation should be controlled by a
system software that covers the following points:
- Preparatory work (project setup)
- Photo orientation
- Data transfer
- Plotting and storage

Academic Year 2023-2024 / 1st Semester (Lecture 3) 3

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