Unit(s) of Assessment	Weighting Towards Module Mark (%)
Examination - 2-hour paper	70
Coursework (three parts)   Comprising:      1. Design, construction and maintenance of road pavements      2. Transportation survey and analysis      3. Junction design and detailing	30   [10] [10] [10]
Qualifying Condition(s)  An overall mark of 40% is required to pass the module.

This module provides an opportunity for students to gain an understanding of the key issues associated with the planning, design and implementation of highway transport systems.  The module encourages students to consider the role of Government White papers in the shaping of transport strategy and how evolving Standards, Guidance notes and Legal obligations shape and control the options available to the Engineers responsible for the Nations road infrastructure. Changes in Government strategy to promote a more sustainable and equitable road transport system within the UK are reviewed within the context of a number of case studies and associated coursework.   

The module seeks to enable students to develop (and demonstrate) an appreciation of the often conflicting factors that must be balanced in the design and delivery of sustainable, cost-effective, solutions to highway transport problems at both the planning and implementation stages.

·                To enable students to understand and appreciate the range of modern highway pavement materials, methods of pavement design and the construction and maintenance techniques that are available to the Highway Engineer working within the UK. ·                To challenge students to consider the role of UK Government strategy on the transportation planning process and how recent moves to promote a safer, more sustainable and equitable road transport system influences the production of traffic impact assessments and both subsequent scheme design and construction.   ·                To provide a framework, and associated opportunities, by which students can gain (and demonstrate) an insight into the conflicting requirements that must be balanced by Transportation Engineers seeking to deliver sustainable, cost-effective solutions to highway transport problems.

By the end of the module, students should be able to:-   

• Demonstrate an insight into the conflicting requirements that must be balanced when seeking to deliver sustainable, cost-effective solutions to highway transport problems and be able to debate the influence of Government strategy in curbing increasing demand on road space.

·         Assess highway loading in terms of standard axles and sub-grade strength and use standard methods for the design of road pavements and their foundations.

·         Critically review the materials and processes used for the construction and maintenance of typical road pavements (and their foundations) and give examples of how materials from degraded road pavements may be recycled and used in new construction.

• Design highway and junction layouts that are safe and suitable for all road users taking account of the nature of traffic flow (and its growth).
• Undertake and analyse traffic surveys including spot speed, journey time, registration plate, roadside interview, home interview, postcard and parking surveys.
• Compare and evaluate the merits of different forms of public transport (such as buses and trains) and how they may be integrated into a coherent transport infrastructure that provides safe and convenient passage for pedestrians, cyclists and people with disabilities.

·         Government strategy and associated Standards, Guidance notes and legal obligations

·         Highway pavement design and materials – historic and modern practice.

·         Pavement construction methods and detailing.

·         In-service assessment of road pavements.

·         Maintenance of road pavements and the recycling of road pavement materials.

·         Characteristics of road vehicles and of traffic flow and growth.

·         Design of highway link and junction layouts.

·         Traffic and transport surveys.

·         Four-stage transportation studies.

• Public transport systems and the integration of pedestrians, cyclists, people with disabilities.

Semester 1: 18 hrs of lectures, 4 hours of tutorial classes, and 28 hrs of independent study.

Semester 2 : 14 hours of lectures, 6 hours of tutorial classes, and 30 hours independent learning.

Total student learning time 100 hours.

Essential reading

None

Required reading

Managing health and safety in construction, Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2007. Approved Code of Practice L144, HSB Books, 2007 (ISBN 978 0 7176 6223 4).

Recommended background reading

 

Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, HMSO (Document in multiple parts under constant update)

IHT/DTp, Roads and Traffic in Urban Areas, HMSO, 1987.  (ISBN 01155 0818X)

MacKay W, Transport in the Urban Environment, IHT, 1997.  (ISBN 09029 33213)

Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works, HMSO. (ISBN 07277 19092)

Watson J, Highway Construction and Maintenance, 2^nd ed, Longman, 1994.  (ISBN 05822 34123)

29th September 2010