Geometric Design of Tipper Road, Oko, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Geometric design of highways in Nigeria has always been treated like a footnote when it comes to road infrastructures, and more often than not, lack of good geometric road design poses a critical number of risks to road users. In this research paper, highway survey studies and a practical geometric design of Tipper Road was done by taking the northings, eastings and elevations of the proposed road was taken at a distance of 0+000 – 1+500Km and the road width being 10.5m. The basic geometric design control (Design Speed) was determined, while the horizontal alignment (plan) and the vertical alignment (profile) at slopes ranging from 4-6% according to the IRC was designed using the CivilCAD software. In the process of the design, transition and circular curves were introduced at appropriate points on the road to avoid sharp bends and counter the effects of centrifugal force acting on vehicles. From the experiment results, the proposed road (as per the original ground level) is a hilly terrain, and due to the topographical nature, appropriate cross slopes and superelevation values were imputed into the design data.