Insights What are the four major factors of roadway design?
The design of highways, streets and roads and the maintenance of these projects are highly important for vehicle safety and maneuverability. Quality roadway design directly impacts vehicle performance and driver comfort, and roads themselves are a key contributor to the development and growth of the economy.
Highway design primarily involves the layout and features visible on the road, gradients, intersections and the consideration of sight distance. Roadway and traffic engineers are trusted to ensure roadways are designed to the highest standard and are safe for drivers.
At AtkinsRéalis , and within our brands Atkins and Faithful+Gould, we help our clients meet their goals by delivering the best solutions to make communities safer. And it’s our expertise and capabilities that set us apart from the competition. By connecting people, data and technology, we deliver impactful roadway projects at scale across the USA. So what are the four major factors of roadway design?
The design speed
One of the most important factors affecting the geometric design of a road is the design speed—which is the speed at which drivers are intended to travel at while on the road. Several different variables contribute to design speed, and it’s also dependent on the person driving and the vehicle type—which is why design speed is an essential factor in roadway design. It’s critical that roadway engineers design roads that allow drivers to travel at the right speed. This includes developing narrow lane widths, tighter turning radius and other speed management techniques.
Topography
Topography in roadway design determines the arrangement of terrain, the different gradient increases and the construction cost. It also covers the physical location of the roadway and the surrounding areas, which may affect travel, such as lakes, rivers and even noise, and the overall stability of the location. Therefore, typography is a highly important factor in roadway design.
Traffic and people also affect the design of roadways. When developing a roadway, it’s important to consider the surrounding residents and the concerns they'll have around noise and air pollution. A commendable roadway design will be sustainable and built with a strong aesthetic that doesn’t affect the local environment.
Sustainability
The environmental aspects of roadway design can never be overlooked, particularly in the ongoing fight against climate change. With temperatures rising in the United States, engineers need to focus on sustainable roadway design. There are many different areas considered when designing an environmentally-friendly roadway, such as lower carbon materials, reduced emissions and waste, as well as using eco-friendly materials.
Concrete is a key contributor to greenhouse gases, and after water, it is the most used substance on the planet. The scale of impact this material has on our planet has inspired research into alternatives. According to research, a team of scientists from the University of Colorado Boulder, have developed an eco-friendly cement from Algae, which could dramatically reduce environmental pollution.
Safety
Designing for road safety is imperative for any engineer. There are many factors to consider to ensure drivers are safe on the roads, as well as techniques to improve the safety of roads. Improvement of minor and major junctions can be made using quality markings and signs to help drivers navigate the road. Every roadway should be built with illuminated raised pavement markings for facilitating safe travel during the night. When it comes to the physical design of a road, engineers need to consider creating appropriate bends to avoid interfering with a driver’s ability to see the road ahead. Also, civil engineers will need to install a drainage system to remove water from the surface of the road. Effective management of surface water is an essential part of the overall design and functioning of a roadway, and a major contributor to safety.
Let AtkinsRéalis move your career forward
What does AtkinsRéalis do? We work on global projects to help our clients achieve their goals. Whatever industry we're operating in, whether it's transport, water, or perhaps energy, we utilize the latest technologies to create an efficient and cost-effective process for our clients.
If you want to be part of an ambitious team and be at the forefront of innovation, browse our jobs in the USA to find your perfect role. Or, sign up for our job alerts to be notified about the latest postings across AtkinsRéalis and our brands.
Interested? Find out more about life at AtkinsRéalis
Sign up to receive the latest content tailored to your interests
Our articles
Preview
USAContent type
BlogsPublish date
05/02/2024
Summary
The structural engineering market is experiencing rapid changes, with Net Zero goals, advanced technology, and environmentally conscious building practices becoming the new bread and butter of t
Preview
USAContent type
BlogsPublish date
05/01/2024
Summary
Hydraulic engineering is a branch of civil engineering that specializes in building hydraulic engineering designs—‘hydraulic’ stemming from the Ancient Greek word for water. Hydraulic power, the
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
04/30/2024
Summary
In an ambitious and far-reaching declaration, Saudi Arabia has proudly announced 2024 as the 'Year of the Camel', a tribute to these timeless creatures that embody the heart of Arabian heritage
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
04/29/2024
Summary
As a hub of diversity and multiculturalism, the UAE boasts a thriving economy with rapidly growing infrastructure. Steering away from a reliance on oil and toward cutting-edge innovation, the UAE is
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
04/29/2024
Summary
Meet Tom from our D&AT (Design & Advanced Technology) team. He's an associate at AtkinsRéalis who has built an exciting career on diverse and career-defining projects, including work on the Lo
by
Shailaja Mantha
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
04/26/2024
Summary
By implementing reforms in the public sector and wider society, the KSA’s Vision 2030 has greatly improved government efficiency, bringing about new growth and investment opportunities. What is Visio
Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
04/25/2024
Summary
In the ever-evolving landscape of professional endeavours, finding a workplace that feels like your safe space is a rare gem. AtkinsRealis stands as a beacon in this regard, where talents not only
Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
04/25/2024
Summary
In the ever-evolving landscape of urban drainage modelling, AtkinsRéalis stands as the leaders with large highly skilled urban drainage modellers. Our focus on serving our clients around urban dra
Preview
CanadaContent type
BlogsPublish date
04/25/2024
Summary
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the skill of managing constantly changing environments has become more and more important. New construction project management software offers innovativ
Preview
AustraliaContent type
BlogsPublish date
04/24/2024
Summary
In a momentous shift, SNC-Lavalin has transitioned to AtkinsRéalis, marking a new era of innovation, collaboration, and excellence in engineering consultancy. With this rebrand comes a fresh persp
Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
04/23/2024
Summary
As Mumbai continues to evolve and expand, the demand for sustainable infrastructure and cutting-edge technology has never been more pressing. At the forefront of this transformative journey is Atk
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
04/22/2024
Summary
Hi there! I'm Paul, a civil engineer with over 25 years of experience specializing in networks and drainage engineering. My role at AtkinsRéalis spans managing projects, directing major initia
by
Shailaja Mantha
AtkinsRéalis
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We’re devoted to growing the diversity of our people, promoting an inclusive culture, providing everyone with an equal voice because simply put, it’s the right thing to do. Click to learn more.
Find out more