DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
CEEN 4615 HIGHWAY PLANNING AND DESIGN
REVIEW TOPICS FOR TEST 1
Updated 02/23/2018 by Dr. Drakopoulos
Be prepared on the following topics, as well as topics pertaining to Project 1 (e.g., using the value matrix). Green Book Exhibits may be provided --you should be able to use them to answer test questions.
Bring with you a straight edge with English gradations, a good eraser and a calculator.
CHAPTER 4 HIGHWAY EVALUATION
What was the role of the Highway Engineer until the 1960s?
Where did opposition to this role come from?
What became the new focus after the 1960s?
What are Motor Vehicle cost data used for?
Describe categories of highway costs.
Describe categories of highway user costs.
What roadway features are taken into account when predicting accident rates for a particular design?
The DOT Act of 1966 changed the way environmentally sensitive areas were to be dealt with. Describe the stipulations of the Act.
Basic provisions of the 1965 Motor Vehicle Control Act.
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 required EIS. Describe meaning and scope of EIS. Levels of EIS.
Describe the provisions of the 1970 Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions Policies Act.
Discuss highway noise: sources, standards, attenuation.
Discuss air quality impacts of highways. Pollution sources, major pollutants, traffic engineering measures to reduce pollution-description, function, expected results.
CHAPTER SEVEN--PROPERTY ACQUISITION
What major property acquisition challenges were faced when the urban freeway system was starting to be built?
Citizen protection from unfair takings is based on:
State's rights to acquire citizens' properties are based on:
Explain: Power of eminent domain.
Explain: Takings.
Describe the Property acquisition process.
What is "just compensation" (AASHTO definition) and what is it based on?
What are partial takings? Can the owner be compensated for such takings?
What types of losses qualify an owner for compensation?
What types of losses do not qualify the owner for compensation?
What is Condemnation?
What types of methods are typically used to mediate differences between citizens and governments?
What does the State have to show when planning takings?
How can an owner contest takings, condemnation?
What kind of reasons can owners use to contest a taking?
What does the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act '70 provide?
What are "Police powers," and how are they evidenced in the highway planning process?
What are Subdivision regulations?
What is Zoning?
What is The Official Map?
HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT (Curvature and Superelevation)
Be able to provide a degree of curve definition, accompanied by a clear figure of all pertinent information (closed book).
Be able to calculate the degree of curve, based on the definition of D.
Horizontal curve Design Rules of thumb. Know at least five rules of thumb and be able to draw simple figures to explain the concepts.
Definition, need for, concerns about Superelevation.
Maximum superelevation when snow and ice are a concern.
How is blending-in superelevation accomplished? Be able to draw a simple figure to explain these concepts:
Typical pavement cross-sections: shapes, cross-slopes.
Runoff with medians: Cases I, II and III describe what each is and where it is applicable.
AASHTO recommendations for superelevation for Low-speed Urban streets.
Be able to use the minimum radius Exhibits.
Typical values for coefficient of side friction at 10 mph and at 80 mph recommended for design.
Be able to use appropriate Exhibits to recommend a Radius of Curvature, a superelevation and a superelevation runoff length combination for a given design speed and a given number of rotated lanes.
If a spiral is provided to transition into a circular curve, where should the superelevation runoff be placed in relation to the spiral?
How does a downgrade affect the superelevation value chosen?
Know the meaning of Table 3-16 and be able to use it.
Be able to reproduce Figure 3-16 part A with all pertinent technical terms.
VERTICAL DESIGN
Types of terrains, terrain classifications.
Up to what percentage grade has no effect on passenger car speeds?
Why is special attention warranted for trucks on grades?
How can trucks be accommodated on grades?
Should grade steepness vary between the bottom and the top of the grade to better accommodate trucks? Why? How?
What is the minimum recommended grade? Why is it necessary? Is it more important when there is or when there is no curb? Why?
What is critical length of grade? What factors does critical length of grade depend on?
How is critical length of grade used to help in highway design?
What typical criteria are used for climbing lanes?
Types of vertical curves