Feature Iraqi Highway Design AASHTO Standards Page
Manual Reference
(Iraq)
1 Lane Width Minimum 3.25 Standard is 3.6 17-18
meters for most meters for highways;
roads; up to 3.5 3.3 meters for local
meters for highways. roads.
2 Shoulder Width 2 to 3 meters Standard 2.4 meters 22-23
depending on the for highways; 3.6
road classification. meters for rural
interstates.
3 Median Width Minimum of 3.0 Typically 4.8 meters 23
meters, depending on or more for rural
road type. freeways.
4 Vertical Minimum 4.5 meters Standard is 4.9 26
Clearance for highways and meters for freeways
bridges. and highways.
5 Super Elevation Maximum of 6% for Typically allows 8% 34
rural roads, with for high-speed roads.
consideration for
turning speeds.
6 Turning Radius 7.3 meters for Uses larger turning 14
passenger cars and radii, especially for
13.7 meters for truck WB-67 trucks
combinations. (typically 15 meters
or more).
7 Cross Slope Shoulders: 2% - 4%; Typical slope is 2% 24, 28
Pavement: 2%. for both shoulders
and pavement.
8 Right-of-Way Typically between 20 30 - 60 meters for 20
- 30 meters, rural highways; more
depending on the for high-traffic urban
road type. roads.
9 Design Speed Urban roads: 40-60 Design speed varies 28-30
km/h; Rural roads: widely from 30 mph
80-120 km/h. (48 km/h) to 75 mph
(120 km/h).
10 Traffic Signals Simple manual More advanced 66
control; traffic signals actuated signals, with
at junctions. detailed placement
guidelines.
11 Signage Bilingual signs Follows the Manual 68
(Arabic/English), on Uniform Traffic
with basic design Control Devices
standards. (MUTCD).
12 Road Markings Reflective paint for Uses thermoplastic 67
lane markings, and epoxy markings
focusing on visibility. for durability.
13 Pedestrian 1.5-meter sidewalks More detailed designs 42
Facilities where necessary, for ADA-compliant
with basic provision. pedestrian facilities.
14 Axle Load Limit 13,000 kg per axle for Uses ESALs 13
standard trucks. (Equivalent Single
Axle Load), allowing
18,000 kg for heavy
vehicles.
15 Pavement Uses a layered Follows a 42-45
Design system, and mechanistic-
conservative empirical design,
assumptions for considering climate,
materials. traffic loads, and
material properties.
16 Bridge Width 0.5 meters wider 1.2 meters wider than 45
than the travel lanes the travel lanes for
for bridges. bridges.
17 Safety Barriers Predominantly Wide variety of safety 65
concrete barriers in barriers, including
medians and on cable, concrete, and
roadsides. guardrails.
18 Drainage Focuses primarily on Surface and 50-52
Design surface runoff subsurface drainage
management and are both emphasized
basic drainage with engineered
systems. systems.
Erosion Control Provides basic Detailed guidelines N/A
19 guidelines for for erosion control
preventing erosion and vegetative
on embankments. support in roadside
areas.
Noise Barriers Rarely used, only in Required in N/A
20 specific cases like residential areas,
near settlements. especially near high-
speed roads.
