HIGHWAY ALIGNMENT

HIGHWAY ALIGNMENT

HIGHWAY ALIGNMENT MAY BE DEFINED AS THE POSITION OR LAYOUT OF THE CENTER LINE OF THE HIGHWAY ON THE GROUND.

(CENTER LINE OF HIGHWAY)

REQUIREMENTS OF AN IDEAL HIGHWAY ALIGNMENT -

• THE ALIGNMENT MUST BE SHORT.

( THE ALIGNMENT BETWEEN TWO DESTINATION POINTS MUST BE AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE)

• THE ALIGNMENT MUST BE EASY IN CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE & TRAFFIC OPERATIONS.
• IT SHOULD BE SAFE.
• ECONOMICAL IN CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE.
• THE ALIGNMENT MUST BE KEPT STRAIGHT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
• IT SHOULD OFFER MAXIMUM UTILITY BY SERVING MAXIMUM POPULATION.

FACTORS AFFECTING HIGHWAY ALIGNMENT-

• OBLIGATORY POINTS - THE ALIGNMENT MUST PASS THROUGH CERTAIN CONTROL POINTS AND AVOID RISKY POINTS.

(EXAMPLE- A ROAD BRIDGE ACROSS A RIVER MUST BE LOCATED AT A PLACE WHERE THE RIVER HAS STRAIGHT & PERMANENT PATH ALONG WITH GOOD FOUNDATION STRATA)

• TRAFFIC
• GEOMETRIC DESIGN-  SIGHT DISTANCE, GRADIENT, CURVES.
• ECONOMY- IT MUST HAVE BALANCED CUTTING & FILLING.
• THE ALIGNMENT MUST HAVE MINIMUM NUMBER OF  DRAINAGE CROSSING.
• HIGHWAY ALIGNMENT MUST BE FREE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS.
• GOOD FOUNDATION STRATA