1. Basic Concepts and Definitions: Introduction to road geometric design, the interdisciplinary nature of road projects, and the relationship between vehicle, roadway, and user.
2. Road Alignment: Alignment in level terrain, alignment along a polygonal line, selection of alignment based on geometric and functional criteria.
3. Horizontal Alignment: Basic horizontal curves and curve combinations, use of curvature radii and superelevation, constraints and sight distance requirements in horizontal alignment.
4. Vertical Alignment (Profile Design): Longitudinal roadway layout, grades and vertical transition curves, relationship with drainage, sight distance and safety considerations.
5. Cross-Sections: Types and geometry of cross-sections, lane width, carriageway and shoulder width, adaptation to natural terrain and land use, cross slopes.
6. Sight Distance: Types of sight distance (stopping, passing, etc.), correlation with geometric parameters, acceptance criteria to ensure roadway safety.
7. Earthworks: Cuttings, embankments and earthwork balancing, calculation of earthwork volumes.

Learning Outcomes

The course provides a fundamental introduction to the field of road geometric design, focusing on the broader context within which roadway planning and design are carried out.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Recognize the interdisciplinary nature of road projects and the interconnection between technical, environmental, and social parameters.
• Describe the design process of a road project, identifying the level of detail and requirements at each stage of study.
• Interpret the physical and technical constraints that define the limiting values of critical geometric design parameters.
• Compute and design the alignment of a road network, integrating technical, geometric, and functional parameters.
• Evaluate alternative combinations of critical parameters with respect to design quality and efficiency.
• Solve common problems arising during the geometric design process.