Assignment 2: ROAD DEVELOPMENT

CEN: 210 Highway Engineering

All questions need to be replied. Total marks awarded are 20. Weightage will be assigned to arrive at
component weightage as defined in Lecture Plan. Write your reply in your own language. The replies will be
checked for similarity as per institute policy. Reply with similarity will be rejected without any further
consideration.

Marking Key: 5×2 + 4 + (3+3) = 20 (weightage to be implemented)

By: Shivanshu Giri (22411035)

Batch – M7

1. a. Capacity augmentation considered in vision 2021 Road Development

Plan focused on–
• Making of minimum two-lane carriageway with hard shoulders.
• Upgrading at least half of road network to 4 to 6 lanes; and at least 10000 km road to 4-
lane.
• Completing Golden Quadrilateral by 2003.
• Completing NS-EW corridors by 2009.
• Strengthening of weak pavements, rehabilitation of bridges, construction of bypasses,
ROBs, etc.

1. b. A Core Network is that minimal Network of roads (routes) that is essential to provide
Basic access to essential social and economic services to all eligible unconnected
habitations in the selected areas through at least a single all-weather road connectivity.
A Core Network comprises of Through Routes and Link Routes. Through Routes are the
ones which collect traffic from several link roads or a long chain of 3 Habitations and lead it
to Marketing centers either directly or through the higher category roads i.e., the District
Roads or the State or National Highways. Link Routes are the roads connecting a single
Habitation or a group of Habitations to Through Routes or District Roads leading to Market
Centers. Link Routes generally have dead ends terminating on a Habitation, while Through
Routes arise from the confluence of two or more Link Routes and emerge on to a major
Road or to a Market Centre. It should be ensured that each road work that is taken up
under the PMGSY is part of the Core Network. While keeping the objective of Connectivity
in view, preference should be given to those roads which also incidentally serve other
Habitations.

1. c. Avoid refers to the need to improve the efficiency of the transport system. Through
integrated land use planning and transport demand management the need to travel and the
trip length may be reduced.
The instruments seek to improve trip efficiency. A modal shift from the most energy
consuming urban transport mode (i.e. cars) towards more environmentally friendly modes is
highly desirable. In particular, the shift towards the following alternative modes.

Non-motorized transport (NMT): walking and cycling. They represent the most
environmentally friendly options.
 Assignment 2: ROAD DEVELOPMENT
CEN: 210 Highway Engineering

Public transport (PT): bus, rail, etc. Although PT also generates emissions, lower specific
energy consumption per pkm (per passenger km) and higher occupancy levels imply that
the associated CO2 emissions per passenger-km are lower than cars.

The improve component focuses on vehicle and fuel efficiency as well as on the
optimization of transport infrastructure. It pursues to improve the energy efficiency of
transport modes and related vehicle technology. Furthermore, the potential of alternative
energy use is acknowledged.

1. d.
Material
In the construction of sustainable rural roads, it is important to use locally available, durable
and cost-effective materials. Rural Roads Vision 2025 promotes the use of the following
materials:
Bitumen: Asphalt and bituminous concrete are widely used in road construction due to
their durability, water resistance and resistance to heavy traffic.
Gravel: Gravel is a locally available material suitable for road sub- and sub-grades. This
provides stability and drainage to ensure the long-term performance of the road.
Waste: The use of waste materials such as fly ash, slag and plastic waste in road
construction is more common. These materials can be used to replace primary materials,
reducing costs, and promoting environmental sustainability.

Technology
The introduction of innovative technologies is crucial to increase the efficiency and quality
of road construction in rural areas. Rural Roads Vision 2025 encourages the use of:

Geotechnical investigations: Detailed geotechnical investigations are essential to

understand soil conditions and select appropriate construction methods and materials. This
reduces the risk of road damage and ensures long durability.
Cast Components: Precast components such as concrete panels and box drums can
significantly speed up road construction and reduce construction time.
Remote Sensing and GIS Technology: Remote Sensing and Geographical Information
Technology are used to map the road network, identify road gaps and plan road
construction activities. This data-driven approach ensures efficient allocation of resources
and an optimized project.

Funding
Sustainable and sufficient funding is necessary to realize the Rural Roads Vision 2025. The
government has adopted a multifaceted approach to funding rural road development:

Increasing budget allocations: The government has increased investments in rural road
development. Through Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Public-private partnerships are being explored to
attract private investment in rural road construction and maintenance.
Mobilization of local resources: Local communities and panchayats are encouraged to
participate in road construction and maintenance to utilize local resources and promote
community ownership.
 Assignment 2: ROAD DEVELOPMENT
CEN: 210 Highway Engineering

1. e. The National Road Safety Plan (NRSP), launched in 2017, aims to reduce road accidents
by 50% and the number of deaths by 30% by 2020. A central part of this plan is to raise road
safety awareness among various stakeholders.
NRSP highlights the following Road Safety Awareness Strategies:
School Education: Incorporating road safety education into school curricula at all levels, from
primary to secondary school, is essential to learning road safety at an early stage.
Media campaigns: Using mass media such as television, radio and print media to spread
messages about road safety and promote responsible driving is essential to reach a wide
audience.
Community mobilization: Involving communities in road safety activities such as road safety
briefings and seminars can promote ownership and encourage behaviour change.
Driver Education: Improving the quality of driver education is critical to improving driver skills
and promoting safe driving habits.
Technology Integration: By using technology such as mobile apps and in-car systems to
provide real-time traffic updates, route instructions and safety alerts, the driver can make
informed decisions and reduce risk.

2. Score (Road 1) = 30(population) + 15 (mandi) + 5 (collection center) + 12 (HS) + 10 (PHC)

+ 4 (BS) + 2 (FS) = 78
Score (Road 2) = 20 (population) + 15 (mandi) + 5 (collection center) + 15 (DS) + 15 (CHC)
+ 4 (BS) + 2 (FS) = 76

Road 1 will have more priority for construction than Road 2.

3. Highway planning is a complex process that involves a comprehensive assessment of

various factors to ensure the safe and efficient construction and operation of highways.
Here are the essential constituents of highway planning:

Traffic Demand Analysis: Understanding the current and future traffic demand is crucial
for determining the appropriate design characteristics of the highway, such as lane width,
shoulder width, and interchange spacing.

Geometric Design: Geometric design encompasses the alignment, horizontal curves,

vertical curves, cross sections, and superelevation of the highway. This ensures a smooth
and safe driving experience for all users.

Geotechnical Investigations: Detailed geotechnical investigations are conducted to

assess the soil conditions along the proposed alignment. This helps in selecting the
appropriate foundation type and construction methods.

Environmental Impact Assessment: Environmental impact assessment evaluates the

potential environmental impacts of the highway project, such as land use change, air and
 Assignment 2: ROAD DEVELOPMENT
CEN: 210 Highway Engineering

water pollution, and habitat disruption. Mitigation measures are implemented to minimize
these impacts.

Economic Analysis: Economic analysis assesses the costs and benefits of the highway
project to determine its financial feasibility. This includes construction costs, maintenance
costs, and the economic benefits generated by improved transportation connectivity.

Social Impact Assessment: Social impact assessment identifies and assesses the
potential social impacts of the highway project, such as displacement of communities,
disruption of livelihoods, and cultural heritage preservation. Mitigation measures are
implemented to address these impacts.

Factors Considered in Different Terrains while Finalizing Road Alignment

The terrain type plays a critical role in determining the alignment of a highway. The
following factors are considered in different terrains:

Mountainous Terrain:

Gradients: Steep gradients are avoided to minimize construction costs and ensure safe
travel.
Cuts and Fills: Highway alignment is optimized to minimize the amount of excavation and
embankment required.
Cross-Section Design: Cross sections are designed to provide adequate stability and
drainage in mountainous terrain.

Flat Terrain:

Straight Alignment: Straight alignments are preferred to reduce construction costs and
improve sight distances.
Curve Design: Horizontal curves are carefully designed to ensure smooth transitions and
minimize vehicle sway.
Superelevation: Superelevation is used on curves to counteract centrifugal force and
maintain vehicle stability.

Urban Terrain:

Accessibility: The highway alignment is designed to provide efficient access to major

urban centres and facilitate traffic flow.
Interchange Design: Complex interchanges are designed to handle high traffic volumes
and ensure efficient traffic movement.
Environmental Sensitivity: The alignment is carefully planned to minimize disruption to
existing neighbourhoods and sensitive environmental areas.
Assignment 2: ROAD DEVELOPMENT
CEN: 210 Highway Engineering