“There

“There is
is a
a road,
road, no
no simple
simple highway,
highway, between
between the
the dawn
dawn and
and the
the dark
dark of
of night,
night, and
and ifif
you
you go,
go, no
no one
one may
may follow,
follow, that
that path
path is
is for
for your
your steps
steps alone”
alone”
—Gerry
—Gerry Garcia
Garcia
HIGHWAY MEDIAN

The portion of a divided highway used to separate opposing traffic.

Highway median barriers are used to separate lanes of traffic and

enhance motorist safety on freeways and multilane interstate
highways
Highway Median Highway Median
Median Width
Minimum median width of 36 feet (11 m) in rural areas,
and 10 feet (3.0 m) in urban or mountainous areas. To
prevent median-crossing accidents, guard rail or Jersey
barrier should be installed in medians in accordance with
the current edition of AASHTO's Roadside Design Guide,
based on traffic, median width and crash history. When
possible, median openings between parallel bridges less
than 30 feet (9.14 m) in width should be decked over;
otherwise barriers or guard rails should be installed to
exclude vehicles from the gap.
 On divided roads, including expressways, motorways, or
autobahns, the central reservation (British English), median
(North American English), median strip (North American
English and Australian English) or central nature strip
(Australian English) is the area which separates opposing
lanes of traffic.

Some central reservations function secondarily as green

areas and green belts to beautify roadways. Those in urban
areas often take the form of central traffic islands that rise
above the roadway. These are frequently found on urban
arterial roads. In their simplest form, these are just raised
concrete curbs, but can also be landscaped with grass or
trees or decorated with bricks or stones.
SAFETY
An August 1993 study by the U.S. Federal Highway
Administration quantified the correlation between median width
and the reduction of both head-on accidents and severe
injuries. The study found that medians without barriers should
be constructed more than 30 feet (9.1 m) in order to have any
effect on safety, and those safety benefits of medians increase
to a width of 60 feet (18.3 m) to 80 feet (24.4 m). A
consequence of this finding is that decreasing the size of a
median to 20 feet (6.1 m) from 30 feet (9.1 m) to add lanes to a
highway may result in a less safe highway. Statistics regarding
medians with barriers were not calculated in this study.
GRADE LINE
Grade line is a line or slope used as a longitudinal reference for
a railroad or highway. Inclinations with the horizontal of a road,
railroad, etc., usually expressed by stating the vertical rise or fall as
a percentage of the horizontal distance; slope.

In vehicular engineering, various land-based designs

(cars, SUVs, trucks, trains, etc.) are rated for their ability to
ascend terrain. (Trains typically rate much lower than cars.)
The highest grade a vehicle can ascend while maintaining a
particular speed is sometimes termed that vehicle's
"gradeability" (or, less often, "grade ability"). The lateral
slopes of a highway geometry are sometimes called fills or
cuts where these techniques have been used to create them.
 One factor that significantly influences the selection of a
highway location is the terrain the land, which in turn affects the
laying of the grade line. The primary factor that the designer
considers on laying the grade line is the amount of earthwork that
will be necessary for the selected grade line. The height of the
grade line is usually dictated by expected floodwater level. Grade
lines should also be set such that the minimum sight distance
requirements are obtained.

Maximum grade - Maximum grade is determined by a table, with

up to 6% allowed in mountainous areas and hilly urban areas.

Profile grade line (PGL) - This is a single line, straight or curved,

along the length of the highway, sometimes but not always on the
center of the highway.
Grade separation - is the process of aligning a junction of
two or more transport axes at different heights (grades) so
that they will not disrupt the traffic flow on other transit routes
when they cross each other. The composition of such
transport axes does not have to be uniform; it can consist of a
mixture of roads, footpaths, railways, canals, or airport
runways. Bridges, tunnels, or a combination of both can be
built at a junction to achieve the needed grade separation.
ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY
A right-of-way is a strip of land that is granted, through an
easement or other mechanism, for transportation purposes,
such as for a trail, driveway, rail line or highway. A right-of-way
is reserved for the purposes of maintenance or expansion of
existing services with the right-of-way. In the case of an
easement, it may revert to its original owners if the facility is
abandoned.
In the United States, railroad rights-of-way are considered
private property by the respective railroad owners and by
applicable state laws. Most U.S. railroads employ their own
police forces, who can arrest and prosecute trespassers found
on their rights-of-way. Some railroad rights-of-way include
recreational rail trails.
What is it?
All public roads are located within land which is referred to
as road right-of-way.  Within a typical road right-of-way, the
following public facilities can be found: the driving surface,
roadside shoulders and ditch, public utilities, sidewalks, and
traffic signs to name a few.  Road right-of-way width is
established by deed, statute, or through the platting process. 
Regardless, lands within the road right-of-way are reserved for
use of the traveling public and maintenance of the county road
system.  Public roadways within Ingham County, other than
limited access freeways, State trunklines and roads within the
incorporated boundaries of villages and cities, are the
jurisdiction of the Ingham County Road Commission.  As the
agency with jurisdiction over the county road system, the
Ingham County Road Commission has a duty to look after the
health, safety, and welfare of the public using county roads.
THE END