ENG07040 2019 Highway Engineering 301

Describe the roles and responsibilities of Irish roads authorities, the road classification system, and the requirements for the management and operation of the public road network.

Evaluate, analyse and design geometric road alignments, road junctions and road cross−sectional elements in
accordance with relevant Irish and European geometric design standards and guidelines.

Describe and specify the material and technical requirements for flexible and rigid highway pavements and road drainage systems.

Perform in teams and describe traffic surveys and the collection and analysis of road traffic, sustainable transport, and topographic data.

Describe, compile and report on the findings of traffic surveying and highway design practical work using both oral and
written communication techniques.

The teaching and learning strategy encompasses a mix of traditional theory lectures, collaborative group project work and assignments, and practical surveying and setting out exercises. Learning will use a mix of group, kinesthetic, read/write, visual and aural styles.

A blended mix of final examination (70%), practicals and projects (30%) shall be used to determine the overall module mark.

An overall mark of 40% must be achieved to pass the module.

The assessment  shall utilise both formative and summative methods. Some peer-review assessment may be utilised in the group project work and in the assessment of reports and design drawings.

Learners shall repeat only the failed elements. The learner must then achieve an overall mark of 40% to pass the module, including repeat assessments, which will be determined from the combination of assessment elements as per the assessment strategy.

1. Roles and responsibilities of local and national roads authorities. Classification of the Irish public road system. Management and operation of the public road network. 
2. Traffic Surveys, Studies and Planning: Traffic characteristics. Traffic measurements and data collection. Manual classified counts. Basic origin-destination studies. Traffic data analysis and presentation. 
3. Design Speed.
4. Sight Distances: Stopping and overtaking sight distance.
5. Horizontal Alignment: Design radii. Super-elevation. Design requirements for single and dual carriageway roads. Transition curves. Composite curve design. Setting out of composite curves, by angular and co-ordinate methods. 
6. Vertical Alignment: Minimum and maximum gradients. Vertical curve design. Setting out of vertical alignments. 
7. Cross-sectional Elements: Standard road cross-sections. 
8. Junctions: Types of at-grade and grade-separated intersections. General design considerations. Selection of appropriate junction type. Design of junctions and urban routes for non-motorised and vulnerable road users.
9. Flexible and rigid highway pavements.
10. Road drainage- Surface and Sub-surface.

Indicative Practicals/Projects:

1. Existing road topographic survey and geometric assessment, including design speed evaluation.
2. Traffic survey techniques, including manual classified counts, junction turning counts and/or Origin-Destination surveys.
3. Assessment of urban roads and streets to meet the Irish Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets requirements.
4. Road junction assessment using TRL software.
5. Setting out of geometric road alignment elements.