what are the design parameters in contructing a highway?

Answer 1

Short answer:

Truck traffic determines the pavement design, i.e. strength, which is a function of the materials/thickness. The maximum grades (i.e. uphill/dowhill "slope") allowed without using "truck lanes" is determined by the truck traffic volume.

Automobile traffic determines the geometry, which is generally the shortest radius (aka Degree of curve) that can be used for a particular design speed.

Speed may be limited by vertical or horizontal sight distances (required for safe passing and stopping distances.)

Answer 2

There are many parameters. You can take several semesters studying what these are. This is a naive question.

Answer 3

SCOPE


During the past several years, state and federal transportation agencies have invested substantial resources in constructing a number of experimental pavement facilities to acquire response and performance data under closely monitored loading and environmental conditions. While these facilities were designed to address various specific questions regarding the performance of rigid and flexible pavements, data and findings obtained at one site often can be used to enhance data obtained at other sites and to resolve issues in other jurisdictions. The most significant effort of this type was the SHRP Long-Term Pavement Performance Program, a national research study in which participating states across the country constructed new pavement sections and/or monitored existing pavement sections containing specific combinations of structural and material parameters believed to have a major impact on performance. Other major pavement facilities constructed in recent years include: MnRoad, WesTrack and the Ohio SHRP Test Road.

Pavement design guidelines are currently being finalized in NCHRP Project 01-37A, “Development of the 2002 Guide for the Design of New and Rehabilitated Pavement Structures.” Concurrently, state DOT’s, FHWA, universities, and industry are developing mechanistic empirical design models for general application and for specific geologic and climatic regions. Data obtained from experimental pavement facilities can be used to validate and calibrate these new procedures.

With the diversity of activities currently underway, and with many mathematical and empirical models being developed over the past decade, it is vital that a forum be provided to exchange recent developments and findings on the structural performance of flexible and rigid pavements. This forum, the International Conference on Highway Pavement Data, Analysis, and Mechanistic Design Applications, brought together engineers, researchers, and practitioners from state DOT’s, FHWA, academia, the private sector, and industry, to provide a platform for:

The exchange of technologies related to the testing and monitoring of in-service highway test sections and other related topics;
The validation, calibration and implementation of mechanistic design procedures; and
The sharing of current activities, findings, experiences, and pavement research.
Knowledge gained from this conference permitted attendees and the agencies they represent to:

Become aware of improved pavement design procedures;
Become aware of sources of data for analysis;
More reliably calibrate and validate existing design procedures;
Gain new insight regarding national and international trends in pavement research.
CONFERENCE FORMAT


In addition to the presentation of technical papers, the conference included field trips and workshops on ground penertating radar implementation and the 2002 guide for mechanistic design .

The conference was highlighted by keynote addresses by Dr. Carl Monismith, Dr. Mike Nunn and Mr. Paul Teng.

TOPICS


Collection and Analysis of Response Data
Development of Mechanistic/Empirical Models
Calibration and Verification of Mechanistic/ Empirical Models
Accelerated Pavement Testing
Non-Destructive Testing
Two and Three-Dimensional Finite-Element Pavement Models
Pavement Drainage
Forensic Studies
Load and Environmental Pavement Response
Distress Models
SPONSORS


The conference was co-sponsored through a National Pooled Fund Study, led by Ohio DOT and FHWA, the Transportation Research Board, and with participation from several other states. Additional support was provided by the private sector.