Geometric Design of Roads Handbook

Abstract

Keith M. Wolhuter has had a career spanning more than 50 years in both the public and private sectors including planning, design, construction, research and policy/administration. Although most of his work was accomplished in South Africa and adjacent countries, Mr. Wolhuter was exposed to highway design criteria, solutions and research in other parts of the world as well. He applied this knowledge, adapted to conditions in South Africa, in the development of design criteria and design solutions. His education, experience and qualifications are well recognized in the highway design community. This comprehensive geometric design text developed by Mr. Wolhuter is ‘state of the art’ and has application worldwide. It is much more than the regurgitation of design criteria. The text incorporates a philosophy reflective of multimodal design, context-sensitive solutions, application of human factors and safety. Design criteria will evolve as future research and experience continue; however, the concepts, procedures and multimodal approach presented in this book have lasting relevance. While all of the basics are covered related to geometric design, Keith M. Wolhuter has also covered all facility types incorporating capacity/traffic operations, multimodal considerations, constructability and the social and economic environment in the design process. Other aspects that influence ‘good’ design include drainage and environmental issues. These are also addressed. As a geometric design text it is unique in that it is developed in two parts: Part I, Geometric Design and Part II, Supporting Disciplines. This is a ‘how to do it’ book. The text can serve as the basis for several graduate-level courses related to geometric design, traffic operations/capacity analysis and public transport. Because much of the material is based on experience in successful project execution, it demonstrates to the student the development of real-world solutions. This is more than a typical textbook. Practicing engineers will find it extremely valuable in the development of solutions that can be implemented. Geometric design criteria are guidelines and not rules that have to be rigidly applied. It is this book that guides the planner and designer in the application of the design criteria/guidelines in creating designs that will operate efficiently and safely for all roadway users within the facilities’ cultural, economic and environmental context. It is not possible to cover in depth all the design concepts and procedures discussed in this book. Consequently, references to additional literature on each topic are provided. These cited references are those consulted in the development of the material and are provided f