1.

Introduction
Highway route selection is the process of choosing a path for a highway that considers the physical features
of the area and other factors to minimize costs and environmental impact
Two of the most important considerations in selecting the route for a proposed highway are
1) the physical features of the area. The highway designer reviews physical features that affect route
selection include topography, geologic or ground (soil) conditions, and surrounding land use. Any
possible environmental impacts posed by construction of a new highway must also be considered.
Highway alignment is influenced by topography or terrain (level, rolling or mountainous) of an area.
2) how the physical features relate to the geometric design controls.
 In level terrain, selection of an alignment is influenced by factors such as the cost of right-of-way,
land use, waterways that may require expensive bridging, existing roads, railroads, and subgrade
conditions.
 In rolling terrain, the factors to be considered includes: grade and curvature, depths of cut and
heights of fill, drainage structures, and number of bridges. Grades are the greatest challenge in
mountainous country.
Route selection tries to find or use a path minimizing costs and maximizing efficiency. There are two
major dimensions of this function:
 Cost minimization. A good route selection should minimize the overall costs (such as construction and
operating cost) of the transport system.
 Efficiency maximization. A route must support economic activities by providing a level of
accessibility, thus fulfilling the needs of regional development. Even if a route is longer and thus more
expensive to build and operate, it might provide better services for an area. Its efficiency is thus
increased at the expense of higher costs. In numerous instances, roads were constructed more for
political reasons than for meeting economic considerations.
Highway alignment refers to the layout of a highway's center line on the ground. Highway alignment
includes horizontal alignment and vertical alignment.
 Horizontal alignment is the projection of highway alignment in horizontal plane that includes the
straight path, curves, or deviation in the horizontal direction
 Vertical alignment is the projection of highway alignment in vertical plane that includes vertical
curves and gradients on the ground.
The alignment should be such that it would offer maximum utility by serving the maximum population and
products. The utility of a road can be judged from its utility value per unit length of the road.
Alignment Basic Requirement of an Ideal Alignment:
(i) Short: It is desired to have shortest alignment between 2 terminals. A straight alignment would be the
shortest, though there may be several practical considerations that would cause deviations from the
shortest path.
(ii) Riding Comfort and Easy to construct and maintain and also it should be easy for vehicle operation.
(iii) Safe: The alignment should be safe enough for construction and maintenance from the point of view
of the stability of natural hill slopes, embankment and cut slopes.
(iv)Economical: Road alignment is considered economical only if the total cost, including the initial cost,
maintenance cost and vehicle operation cost is the lowest. All these factors should given due
consideration before working out the economics of reach alignment.
Improper alignment can lead to a number of disadvantages, including:
 Increased construction costs  Increased vehicle operation costs
 Increased maintenance costs  Increased accident rate
The aim of highway alignment is to find the best location for a new road that minimizes construction,
land, traffic, and environmental costs.
What are the Factors Controlling Highway Alignment?
There are various factors to be considered while selecting a road alignment. Additionally, there are some
special considerations to be followed while selecting alignments in hill roads. In general, the following
factors are to be considered while choosing a highway alignment.
1. Government Planning
Since a road project involves heavy investments, it should comply with government requirements &
planning.
2. Obligatory Points
Obligatory points are the governing points that control the highway alignment. These can be classified into
two types
(i) Positive obligatory points are the points through which alignment should always pass such as
chosen bridge site and an intermediate town.
(ii) Positive obligatory points are the points through which the alignment should never pass. The
highway alignment should never pass through the National Parks, Conservation Areas, Protected
Areas, dense forest, costly agricultural lands, etc.
3. Traffic Flow Pattern
The traffic flow pattern can be known from the origin & destination study (O&D Study). The lines are
drawn in the data obtained from the origin & destination study & then, proper alignment is fixed.
4. Geometric Design
The road alignment is also affected by the geometric design. The horizontal curves, vertical curves,
gradients, sight distance, etc should meet the requirements of geometric design standards.
5. Monotony
Due to very long straight paths in flat terrain, the driver may become monotonous & this may lead to
accidents. Thus, small horizontal curves should be provided in suitable intervals to avoid monotony.
6. Economy
The alignment should be selected in such a way that the construction cost, maintenance cost & operation
cost of the road is minimum. Excessive cuttings & fillings, the necessity of complex structures, etc should
be avoided.
7. Railway Crossings
A highway alignment should cross the railway alignment preferably at a right angle.

Factors affecting Highway alignment including:

 Geometric design: The layout and dimensions of the highway's visible features, which are designed
to meet the needs of drivers and vehicles for safety, comfort, and efficiency

  Horizontal curves: The shape of the road, which is made up of straight-line tangents, circular curves,
and spiral transitions. Horizontal curves are a major factor in crash rates on rural highways.
  Sight distance: The distance a driver needs to be able to see an obstruction or change in alignment and
react.
  Terrain: The physical features of the area, such as hills, deserts, and waterways. In hilly areas, roads
should cross ridges at their lowest elevation and avoid unstable areas, landslides, and steep hillsides.
  Right-of-way: The cost of the right-of-way and land use.
  Existing roads and railroads: The location of existing roads and railroads.
  Subgrade conditions: The conditions of the subgrade.
  Design speed: The speed at which the road is designed for.
  Traffic volume: The amount of traffic expected on the road.
  Environmental concerns: Any environmental concerns that may apply to the area.

The alignment of a highway directly affects its operational characteristics, such as vehicle speeds, sight
distances, and highway capacity.
Alignment :-The position or the layout of the central line of the highway.
– Horizontal alignment includes straight and curved paths.
– Vertical alignment includes curves and gradients.
• The aim of alignment selection process is to find a location for the new road that will result in the lowest
total construction, land, traffic and environmental costs.
• Provide the basic information for structural design, as well as the economic analysis
Route Selection
is to find a location for the new road that will result in the lowest total
 Construction
 land,
 traffic,
 and environmental costs.