Introduction to Roadway Design Online Series

Understanding Three Basic Views: Plan, Profile and Cross Section

This 1.5-hour course will provide an overview of the three basic views found in roadway plans. Topics covered in this course include three basic views used in roadway plans and stationing (a common reference system).

Reading and Understanding Contours

This 1.5-hour course will provide an overview of contours and how they are used to plot various views within the construction plan. Topics covered in this course include definition of contours; contour intervals; contour patterns and shapes; profiles plotted from contours; cross sections plotted from contours; interpolation of elevations between contours; contour map uses; and creation of contour mapping.

Understanding Typical Sections

This 1.5-hour course will review the types of information found on typical sections. Topics covered in this course include placement and purpose of typicals; surface structures; subsurface structures; surfacing materials; stationing; variables; other considerations; number of typicals; and curbed and uncurbed sections.

Understanding Cross Sections

This 1.5-hour course will provide an overview of design elements found in cross sections and how match lines are used. Topics covered in this course include cross section definition and details; information from cross sections; and match lines.

Sight Distance

This 2-hour course will provide an introduction to basic sight distance types. Topics covered in this course include sight distance; stopping sight distance; decision sight distance; passing sight distance and intersections; and sight distance guidance.

Computing Tapers

This 1.5-hour course will provide an overview of tapers and how they are used. Topics covered in this course include introduction to tapers; linear taper uses; and interchanges and intersections.

Design Speed and Target Speed

This 2.5-hour course will provide an overview of design speed and how the selection of design speed affects roadway capacity. Topics covered in this course include design speed; capacity and flow; levels of service; and capacity analysis.

Horizontal Alignment I: Stations and Stationing

This 3-hour course will provide an overview of stationing and station equations and how they are used in roadway design. Topics covered in this course include stations and stationing defined; assigning station values; station equations defined; stationing process; two types of station equations; equation placement process; control alignment; correcting equations; and offset equations.

Horizontal Alignment II: Bearings and Curves

This 1.5-hour course will provide an overview of design elements and how they are represented in the horizontal alignment. Topics covered in this course include preliminary horizontal alignments; azimuth and bearings; circular curves; and computing coordinates.

Horizontal Alignment III: Design Components

This 1.5-hour course will provide an overview of the design controls and considerations associated with horizontal alignment. Topics covered in this course include design considerations; elements of horizontal alignment; design controls; and coordination with vertical alignment.

Horizontal Alignment IV: Balancing Design Constraints

This 1.5-hour course will provide an overview of how constraints and sight distance impact horizontal alignment design. Topics covered in this course include impact assessment on physical control features; laying out horizontal alignment; selecting curve radius and length; selecting sight distance criteria; stopping sight distance; decision sight distance; passing sight distance; and lateral clearance.

Horizontal Alignment V: Design and Placement

This 2.5-hour course will provide an overview of the design and placement of horizontal alignment. Topics covered in this course include flexible or practical design approach; independent alignments; sight distance for approaching intersections; sight distance intersection maneuvers; and sight distance at railroad crossings.

Vertical Alignment I: Design Process

This 2.5-hour course will provide an overview of the design process and features that affect design decisions. Topics covered in this course include the existing groundline; physical control features; grade; vertical curves; sight distance; plotting vertical curves; and alignment checks.

Vertical Alignment II: Balancing Design Constraints

This 2-hour course will provide an overview of how constraints are balanced during the vertical alignment design process. Topics covered in this course include introduction to balancing design constraints; altering existing terrain; drainage and erosion considerations; high and low points of curves; right of way considerations; noise abatement considerations; coordinating horizontal and vertical alignment; and earthwork considerations.

Vertical Alignment III: Profiles and Control Features

This 2.5-hour course will provide an overview of how physical controls are accommodated during the vertical alignment design process. Topics covered in this course include control features; profiles; bridges; additional physical controls; and climbing lanes.

Vertical Alignment IV: Sight Distance

This 2-hour course will provide an overview of how sight distance impacts the vertical alignment design process. Topics covered in this course include definition and purpose; stopping sight distance; minimum vertical curve length and “K”; using tables and graphs; comfort sag values; decision sight distance; passing sight distance; and sight distance application.