UNIT I (MODULE)

HIGHWAY DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING

Social and Economic Development and
Transportation
Mobility is a basic human need.

A closely associated need is the transport of raw materials to a manufacturing unit or

finished goods for consumption.

Transportation plays a major role in the development of the human civilization.

For instance, one could easily observe the strong correlation between the evolution of
human settlement and the proximity of transport facilities.

Impact of Transportation:

Economic Development
Social Development
Spatial Development
Cultural Development
Political Development

Historical Development of Road Construction

ROMAN ROADS
Romans were pioneers in road construction and still in existence after 2000 years

Features:

Built in straight lines regardless of gradient

Built after soft soil was removed
Total thickness was 0.75
1.2 meters
Typical cross-section
Mesopotamia Civilization – 3500 BC

FRENCH ROADS
Implemented in 1775 AD

Features:

Sub-grade was prepared and large foundation stones laid

Top wearing course – smaller stones
Shoulders were provided

Pierre Tresaguet 1716-1796

BRITISH ROADS
John Macadam (1756- 1836) - Surveyor Gen. of England
Scientific method - became popular in 1827 AD

Features:

Sub-grade drainage and compaction - cross slope 1 in 36

First person to suggest that heavy foundation stones are not required
Compacted layer of smaller broken stones at bottom. Better dispersion of load
Pavement surface cross-slope was 1 in 36
Water bound Macadam, Penetration, Bituminous

Necessity for Highway Planning

Planning is prerequisite for any development program.
Planning is of great importance when funds are limited.
Best utilization is very much needed

Main object of highway planning:

To plan road network for efficient and safe traffic operations at minimum cost
Minimize construction and maintenance
Arrive at road systems of different categories to maximize utility
Derive precise project plan with timeline and priorities
Proper phasing of project
To plan for the future
To work out financing options (public, private, public-private)

History of Road Development in India

Ancient Period (3500 BC)
Mughul Period (15th Century)
British Period (17th & 18th Century)
Free India (1950 onwards)

Types of Ancient Indian Roads

Indus Valley Civilization

Roads with brick drains on both sides.

Mauryan rule in the 4th century constructed

Rajpath (high roads)

Banikpaths (merchant roads).

Ashoka Regime

Road networks with horticulture and rest houses at 4.8 – 6.4km along the roads.

Mughul Period

Trunk roads between Northwest to Eastern part and also linking coastal and central part
of India

British Period

Trunk roads, bridges, PWD was formed, construction of Grand Trunk Road

Highway Development in India

Jayakar Committee
In 1927, Indian Road Development Committee was constituted by M.R. Jayakar as
Chairman

Key Recommendations:

Beyond capacity of local or provincial governments- National interest

Extra Tax should be levied on petrol for Central Road Fund
Twenty-year plans were suggested
Dedicated Research and Development is needed – CRRI in 1950
Semi-official technical body should be formed to pool technical know-how. Indian Road
Congress was formed in 1934

Road Development Plans

Twenty-year Road plans
Nagpur road congress 1943
First 20-year Plan

Nagpur road congress 1943-1961

 First attempt to prepare coordinated road development plan
All roads were classified into four categories
Target road length aimed was 16 km for every 100 sq. km
Recommended the construction of star and grid pattern of roads
Planned to construct 2 lakh kms of roads in 20 years
Achieved target two years ahead of time
First attempt to prepare coordinated road development plan
All roads were classified into four categories
Target road length aimed was 16 km for every 100 sq. km
Recommended the construction of star and grid pattern of roads
Planned to construct 2 lakh kms of roads in 20 years
Achieved target two years ahead of time

Bombay road congress 1961

Second 20-year plan

Bombay road congress 1961-1981

Second 20-year plan

Scientific method of construction was proposed for the rural roads
Target density of road length 32 km per 100 sq.km (achieved 34.8 km)
Targeted 10 lakh km of road length
Construction of 1600 km of expressways

Lucknow road congress 1984

Third 20-year plan

Lucknow road congress 1984-2000

Third 20-year plan called Lucknow Road Plan

Target density was 82 km per 100 km
Complete target length of National Highways
It aims at improving the transportation facilities in villages, towns etc. such that no part
of country is farther than 50 km from NH
Energy conservation, environmental quality of roads and road safety measures were
also given due importance in this plan
Road Development Plan Vision: 2021
2000-2021

Road Development Plan Vision: 2021

The Government of India takes up the development works of National Highways through
five year plans. However, the Ministry in 2001 had prepared, through Indian Roads
Congress (IRC), 'Road Development Plan VISION: 2021’ for a period of 20 years (2001-
2021). This document provides the vision for the next 20 years for development and
maintenance of all categories of roads i.e. National Highways, State Highways, Major
District Roads and Rural Roads. The urban roads as well as the roads for specific need e.g.
tourism, forestry, mining and industrial areas etc. have also been considered. The research
and development, mobilization of resources, capacity building and human resources
development, quality system, environment and energy considerations for the highway
sector and highway safety are also included in this document which serves as only a
valuable guide to the Centre and the State Governments for planning purpose.

The Government of India in 2001 had prepared, through Indian Roads Congress (IRC),
'Road Development Plan VISION: 2021’ for a period of 20 years (2001-2021). This
document provides the vision for the next 20 years for development and maintenance of
all categories of roads.

Salient features of Vision: 2021

To construct National Highway such that, it forms 100 sq.km network.

To construct Express Highway for fast moving vehicle and Four-laning on road having
maximum traffic density.
To connect District Head quarter by four lane, Taluka head quarter, Industrial centre,
Tourist centre by Two lane State Highways.
To connect Village having population more than 1500 by MDR.
To connect Village having population 1000 to 1500 by ODR.
To connect remote Village by all weather road.

Classification of Roads
Classification based on weather:

All weather roads (roads which are negotiable during all weathers)
Fair-weather roads

Based on the carriage way:

 Paved
Surfaced
Un-surfaced
Unpaved

Methods of classification of roads:

Traffic volume (arbitrary)

Heavy, medium, light traffic roads
Load transported or tonnage
Class I, II, etc or Class A, Class B
Location and function (Nagpur)
National Highways
State Highways
Major District Roads (MDR)
Other District Roads (ODR)
Village Roads

Based on modified system of Highway classification

Primary

Expressways
National Highways

Secondary

SH
MDR

Tertiary

ODR
VR

Urban Road Classification

• ARTERIAL ROADS
• SUB ARTERIAL
• COLECTOR
• LOCAL STREET
• CUL-DE-SAC
• PATHWAY
• DRIVEWAY

Classification of Roads
National Highways (NH)

Length and breadth of India, connecting ports, foreign highways, capitals, large states

State Highways

Arterial roads of state, connecting up with NH, Dist HQs and important cities

Major District Roads

Important roads within district, connect production and markets, lower speed

Other District Roads

Serving rural areas of production and markets, taluk HQs

Village Roads
 Connecting villages or groups of villages with nearest road

Road Network Patterns

Rectangular or Block patterns

Radial or Star block pattern

Radial or Star Circular pattern

Radial or Star grid pattern

Hexagonal Pattern

Minimum travel Pattern

Highway Alignment
What is alignment?

It is the position or layout of the center line of the highway on the ground
Horizontal alignment: straight lines, horizontal deviations, and curves
Vertical alignment: gradient and vertical curves

Disadvantages of improper alignment:

Increase in construction cost

Increase in maintenance cost
Increase in vehicle operation cost
Increase in accident rate

Basic requirement of ideal alignment between two terminal points

Short
Easy
Safe
Economical

Factors Controlling Alignment

Obligatory points
Obligatory points through which alignment is to pass (bridge site, intermediate
town, Mountain pass etc.)
Obligatory points through which alignment should not pass.

Traffic
Geometric design
Gradient
Radius of curve
Sight distance, Stopping distance
Economics
Other considerations (drainage, political, hydrological)
Drainage
 Stability
Geometric standards of hills roads and
Resisting length

Engineering Surveys
Before a highway alignment is finalized, engineering surveys are carried out.

Stages of surveys are:

Map study
Topographic maps
Survey of India has 15 or 30 meter contour maps
Alignment avoiding valleys, ponds, or lakes
In hilly area possibility of crossing via a mountain pass
Approximate location of bridges
Alternate alignments are proposed
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance (Second stage)
Examine the general character of the area for deciding feasible routes for detailed
studies
A field survey party may inspect a broad stretch of area
Details collected
Valleys, ponds, lakes, permanent structures, obstructions
Approximate value of gradient, radius of curves of alternate alignments
Number and types of crossing drainage structures, flood level
Soil types
Sources of construction material
Geological formations
Preliminary survey
To collect necessary physical information, details of topography, drainage and soil
To compare different proposals in view of good alignment
To estimate quantity of earth work and other construction aspects to workout cost
of alternate alignments
To finalize the best alignment
Procedure for conventional method of preliminary survey:
primary traverse
leveling work
typical cross-sections
drainage studies, soil survey, material survey, traffic survey
 determination of center line
Final Location and detailed survey
For preparation of plans and construction details
Temporary benchmarks are fixed
A detailed soil survey is carried out for soil profile
Data collected should be elaborate to complete detailed plans, design and
estimate of project

Drawings & Reports

Drawings

Key map
Index map
Preliminary survey plans
Detailed plan and longitudinal section
Detailed cross-section
Land acquisition plans
Drawings of cross-drainage and other structures
Drawings of road intersections
Land plans showing quarries

Project Report

General details of project and its importance

Features of the road including selection of route, alignment, traffic
Road design and specifications
Drainage facilities and cross-drainage structures
Materials, labor, and equipment
Rates
Construction Programming
Diversion of roads, traffic control, road side amenities