20 Questions
What is the expected annual percentage increase in traffic volume on a roadway?
6.20%
What is the purpose of using passenger car equivalence?
To convert all vehicles into equivalent passenger cars
What is the typical design life of a facility?
20 years
What type of terrain would result in trucks slowing down to a crawl and staying at that speed for extended periods?
Mountainous
What is the primary consideration in classifying a 2-Lane Highway?
Traffic volume
What is the term for the time a facility should last before it needs serious upgrades?
Design life
What has not changed in the structure of roads over the last 1000 years?
The crowned road design
What is an essential factor in providing efficient and safe highway transportation?
Knowledge of the characteristics and limitations of the driver, pedestrian, vehicle, and road
What is the basis for design criteria for highways?
The average driver
What affects a driver's skills and abilities?
Age, health, fatigue, and time of day
What is the main consideration in road design?
The compatibility with the abilities and limitations of most drivers
How many main components of the highway mode of transportation are there?
4
What percentage of all roads are typically 2-lane roads?
80%
What is the primary consideration for determining the level of service (LOS) on a highway?
Average driving speed and percent time spent following
What type of roadways are characterized by drivers expecting to travel at high speeds?
Class I roadways
What is the primary purpose of the Highway Capacity Manual?
To provide guidelines for highway design and management
Which of the following roads would likely have a lower speed expectation?
Scenic route
What is the primary factor in determining the level of service on a scenic route?
Driver tolerance of following other vehicles
What is the primary consideration for classifying a roadway as Class I or Class II?
Driver expectations of speed
Why is it difficult to base the level of service on driver contentment?
Drivers are inconsistent and may exaggerate
Study Notes
History of Roads
- The structure of roads has remained the same for the last 1000 years, with crowned roads, drainage, gravel, and compacted earth still being used.
- However, the methods, materials, and equipment used in road construction have changed over time.
Road Design
- There are four main components of the highway mode of transportation: • The Driver • The Pedestrian • The Vehicle • The Road
- Understanding the characteristics and limitations of each component is essential for efficient and safe highway transportation.
Road Design - The Driver
- Drivers' skills and abilities vary greatly, with differences in age, health, fatigue, and time of day affecting their ability to see, hear, evaluate, and react to information.
- Design criteria for highways must be based on the abilities and limitations of most drivers, not just the best-case scenario.
2 Lane Highway
- Level of Service (LOS) is set by driver contentment, but is difficult to quantify.
- Engineers use two factors to determine LOS: • Average Driving Speed (ATS) • Percent time spent following (PTSF)
- When drivers expect to travel at high speeds, the road is classified as a Class I roadway.
- Scenic and Recreational Routes have lower speed expectations and different LOS criteria.
Highway Capacity
- Passenger Car Equivalence is used to convert all vehicles into equivalent passenger cars, as large vehicles take up more roadway space.
- Design Life is typically 20 years, after which the roadway needs serious upgrades.
- Terrain type affects highway capacity, with level terrain allowing trucks to maintain highway speeds, rolling terrain slowing them down, and mountainous terrain causing them to slow to a crawl.
This quiz covers the history of road construction, including the evolution of methods, materials, and equipment. It also touches on the environmental impact of trucks and mobility.
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