Faculty of Technology and Built Environment

Department of Civil Engineering

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY METRO GROUP
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
DIPLOMA OF ENGINEERING CIVIL

SEMESTER 1, 2012 EXAMINATION

SUBJECT: HIGHWAY EVALUATION & DESIGN

TRAFFIC & HIGHWAY ENGINEERING
CODE:
ENGG MG5012, ENGG 5067 &
ENGG 5057
SHEET: 1 of 9 SEMESTER: 1
DATE: Thursday, 21 June, 2012. DURATION: 3 Hours
Assessment breakdown: This examination 50% Other 50%
This examination has five questions

The total mark for this examination is 100%

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

10 minutes reading time will be allowed before commencement of this

examination.

This is a closed book examination.

Answer ALL questions.

Non programmable electronic calculators are permitted.

Start each question on a new page and write on one side of the paper only.

Upon completion of this examination, ensure that on the front page of your answer
book you have ticked the questions that you have completed, and also recorded
your student ID number, subject and subject code.

Before handing in your script, ensure that your student ID number is on the top of
any loose pages, and that all pages are attached and in the correct order.
QUESTION 1 TRAFFIC ENGINEERING (Total 20 marks)

(a) Describe Time Mean Speed.

(2 marks)

(b) From the traffic class and speed statistic charts attached and the vehicle
class code chart attached as Appendix 1 calculate the following:
a. The percentage of heavy vehicles using the road.
b. The percentage of vehicles exceeding 50 km/h.
(4 marks)

(c) Name the four roadway elements?

(2 marks)

(d) Describe the effects of “Conditioned Response” on drivers.

Why is this significant in traffic engineering and road design?
(4 marks )

(e) Using either of the formulae below, calculate the difference in stopping
distance for vehicles travelling at 50 km/h and at 60 km/h on a level road.
Assume the value of the coefficient of longitudinal deceleration to be 0.50
and reaction time to be 2.0 seconds. What is the significance of the
additional stopping distance?
SD = RTv + v2 / 2 gd or
SD = RT V/ 3.6 + V2 / 254 d
(4 marks)

(f) What is the desirable level of service to achieve on opening day when
designing a signalised intersection? What level of service would it be
desirable to still have after the intersection has been functioning for 10
years? In an intersection design, which of the two levels is more important
to be designing for and why?

(4 marks)

Semester 1, 2012 Examination ENGG MG5012, ENGG 5067& ENGG 5057 Page 2 of 9
Highway Evaluation and Design & Traffic & Highway Engineering
QUESTION 2 GEOMETRIC DESIGN (Total 20 marks)

(a) A right-turning SCS curve is to be fitted between two straights with a

deviation angle of 40o.. The spiral (transition) length is 70 m and the
radius of the circular portion approximately 600 m.
The route mileage (station distance) of the intersection point of the
two straights is 2,794.670 m.

(i) Determine the unit chord length in metres.

(1mark)

(ii) Express the spiral length in terms of unit chords.

(1 mark)

(iii) From the Unit Chord Chart supplied Figure 2.3

select appropriate data and calculate the following
properties in metres
Radius R
Shift Distance K
Shift P
Spiral Angle θ (4 marks)

(iv) Calculate the total Tangent distance and length of

the Circular Curve.
Hence or otherwise determine the Route mileage of
the key points TS, SC.CS & ST for the curve.
(6 marks)

(v) If the rate of application of superelevation is 2.5 % / sec

and design speed is 100 km/hr, what is design
superelevation for this curve . (2 marks)

(b) A summit vertical curve joins a grade of +4.6% to a grade of

-2.5%. The Gradients intersect at Route Distance 3,500m and
Reduced Level 150.00m.
(i) If the Vertical Curve parameter K is 210, determine the length
of the curve and hence the route distances and levels at the (3 marks)
start and end of the curve.

(ii) A footbridge crosses the line of the road at route distance =

3,600 m . Determine the level of the footbridge deck if
a 6m vertical clearance from curve level is required.
(3 marks)

Semester 1, 2012 Examination ENGG MG5012, ENGG 5067& ENGG 5057 Page 3 of 9
Highway Evaluation and Design & Traffic & Highway Engineering
QUESTION 3 DRAINAGE (Total 15 marks)

(a) (i) Define Time of Concentration for a catchment (1 mark)

(ii) Explain the role Time of Concentration plays in the
determination of rainfall intensity for a catchment. (2 marks)

(b) Name and briefly describe FOUR key components that make up
an Urban street Drainage system (4 marks)

(c ) A culvert under the road has a headwater level of 2.2m, if the catchment
area is 12 ha, with a average runoff co=efficient C of 0.75 and rainfall
intensity of 95 mm/hr, using the rational method determine the peak flow
that will occur at the culvert in litres /sec.
Using the design chart attached as Fig 2 determine the pipe size that will
be needed if available slope for the culvert is 1in 300 over a culvert length
of 60 meters.
(8 marks)

QUESTION 4 EARTHWORKS, PAVEMENTS, SEALING & PAVING

(Total 30 marks)

(a) Compaction plays a major part in roadbuilding, for the following stages
State what compaction plant you would use and briefly explain why you would
choose that item :

(i) Earthworks in Cohesive soils.

(ii) Granular Pavement construction.
(iii) Chip seal.
(3 marks)

(b) You are the Engineer supervising an Earthmoving project which has
the TNZ F/1 Specification as part of the contract documents, and the
contractor informs you that he wishes to claim material being
excavated as R1 material.

(i) What tests would you carry out to determine whether in (2 marks)
fact the material qualifies as R1 or not?
(ii) Explain the significance of this request. (2 marks)

( c) Explain why when preparing to place earth fill for the foundations
of an embankment :
(i) Topsoil & vegetation need to be removed.
(ii) Slope needs to be benched.
(iii) Fill layers need to be placed with similar crossfall to
finished road surface. ( 3 marks)

Semester 1, 2012 Examination ENGG MG5012, ENGG 5067& ENGG 5057 Page 4 of 9
Highway Evaluation and Design & Traffic & Highway Engineering
Question 4 (continued)

(d) Name and briefly describe TWO test procedures that are commonly used
to check suitability & readiness of subgrade soils for the placing of granular
pavement layers.
(4 marks)

(e) Basecourse Aggregates are required to meet much higher standards

than sub base aggregates. Why?
(2 marks)

(f) Asphaltic Concrete surfacing is compacted in three distinct stages

(i) Explain why this is necessary and (2
marks)
(ii) Explain what type of compaction equipment is used for each
stage and (3 marks)
(iii)State what the minimum surface temperatures are for the
completion of each stage (3 marks)

(g) Explain the differences in equipment used, application rate & materia
sprayed between spraying a tack coat for asphaltic concrete
surfacing and spraying a first coat sealing binder.
( 6marks)

QUESTION 5 MAINTENANCE (Total 15 marks)

(a) Explain how you would measure the average depth of texture on
an existing road surface and why you would need this measure
ment . (3 marks)

(b) R.A.M.M. inspections are carried out on all State Highways in NZ

on a regular basis. What does R.A.M.M . stand for and what is
recorded in these inspections.
(2 marks)
(c ) For the following pavement conditions, explain what signs you
would see on the road surface and what maintenance operations
should be carried out to correct the condition.
(i) Wheel Track Rutting
(ii) Corrugations (8 marks)
(iii) Potholes
(iv) Delamination

(d) Why is it standard practice to ensure a good coat of chip seal

is in place before placing an asphaltic concrete surfacing mix?
(2 marks)

Semester 1, 2012 Examination ENGG MG5012, ENGG 5067& ENGG 5057 Page 5 of 9
Highway Evaluation and Design & Traffic & Highway Engineering
 BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY METRO GROUP
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
DIPLOMA OF ENGINEERING CIVIL

ENGG MG5012, ENGG 5067 & ENGG 5057

Highway Evaluation and Design and Traffic & Highway Engineering Examination
Formula sheet

TT = (R+P) Tan I/2 + k

Lc = ( R x Irad) –SL

UC = √ R xSL/35.81

L= LC + 2 SL

y= A (x2)
200L

A = G1-G2

x = G1 x L
A
L = K.A

RLz = RLvpc + G1x - Ax2

100 200L

Q = C.I.A
360

Semester 1, 2012 Examination ENGG MG5012, ENGG 5067& ENGG 5057 Page 6 of 9
Highway Evaluation and Design & Traffic & Highway Engineering
 BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY METRO GROUP
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
DIPLOMA OF ENGINEERING CIVIL

ENGG MG5012, ENGG 5067 & ENGG 5057

Highway Evaluation and Design and Traffic & Highway Engineering Examination

Design Charts

Figure 1 . Unit Chord Table from SHGDM

Semester 1, 2012 Examination ENGG MG5012, ENGG 5067& ENGG 5057 Page 7 of 9
Highway Evaluation and Design & Traffic & Highway Engineering
 Figure 1 . Unit Chord Table from SHGDM (Continued)
Semester 1, 2012 Examination ENGG MG5012, ENGG 5067& ENGG 5057 Page 8 of 9
Highway Evaluation and Design & Traffic & Highway Engineering
 Figure 2 : Culvert design Chart

Semester 1, 2012 Examination ENGG MG5012, ENGG 5067& ENGG 5057 Page 9 of 9
Highway Evaluation and Design & Traffic & Highway Engineering