Chapter 1: Highway Engineering —
Answers
Classification of Roads
1. Full form of NH:
National Highway
2. Full form of SH:
State Highway
3. Full form of MDR:
Major District Road
4. Full form of ODR:
Other District Road
5. Full form of VR:
Village Road
6. Which road connects different states?
Answer: National Highway (NH)
7. Which road connects important cities within a state?
Answer: State Highway (SH)
8. Which road mainly connects villages?
Answer: Village Road (VR)
9. Which road connects district headquarters?
Answer: Major District Road (MDR)
10. State highways are maintained by whom?
Answer: State Government
Highway Engineering Basics
11. Define highway engineering:
Branch of civil engineering concerned with planning, design, construction, and maintenance
of roads.
12. Two advantages of road transportation:
• Door-to-door service
• Fast movement of people and goods
13. Why are highways important for economic development?
They improve trade, transport, and connectivity.
14. What is road transportation?
Transportation of people and goods using roads.
15. Two functions of highways:
• Transportation
• Connecting places
Camber
16. Define camber:
Transverse slope provided on road surface to drain rainwater.
17. Purpose of camber:
To remove rainwater from road surface.
18. Which problem is prevented by camber?
Water stagnation and road damage.
19. Types of camber:
• Straight camber
• Parabolic camber
• Composite camber
20. Effect of excessive camber:
Vehicle discomfort and instability.
Gradient
21. Define gradient:
Longitudinal slope provided along road length.
22. What is longitudinal slope?
Slope in direction of vehicle movement.
23. Types of gradient:
• Ruling gradient
• Limiting gradient
• Exceptional gradient
24. Define ruling gradient:
Most suitable gradient under normal conditions.
25. Define exceptional gradient:
Steeper gradient used only in difficult conditions.
Super Elevation
26. Define super elevation:
Raising outer edge of road at curves.
27. Purpose of super elevation:
Reduce skidding and overturning.
28. Super elevation is provided at:
Curves
29. Which accident is reduced?
Skidding accident
30. If super elevation is absent:
Vehicles may skid or overturn.
Sight Distance
31. Define sight distance:
Visible road length ahead available to driver.
32. What is SSD?
Stopping Sight Distance
33. Expand SSD:
Stopping Sight Distance
34. What is OSD?
Overtaking Sight Distance
35. Expand OSD:
Overtaking Sight Distance
36. Distance needed to stop vehicle safely:
SSD
37. Distance needed for overtaking:
OSD
Highway Alignment
38. Define highway alignment:
Selected path or route of highway.
39. Characteristics of good alignment:
• Safe
• Short
• Economical
• Easy maintenance
40. Why should alignment be economical?
To reduce construction and maintenance cost.
41. Ideal highway alignment:
Shortest, safest, and economical route.
Road Cross Section
42. Define carriageway:
Part of road used by vehicles.
43. Define shoulder:
Strip beside carriageway used in emergencies.
44. What is ROW?
Right of Way
45. Expand ROW:
Right of Way
46. Define median:
Divider separating opposite traffic flows.
47. Function of shoulder:
Emergency stopping and support.
48. Function of median:
Separate opposite-direction traffic.
Differences
49. Difference between camber and super elevation
Camber Super elevation
Provided for drainage Provided at curves
Removes rainwater Prevents skidding
50. Difference between SSD and OSD
SSD OSD
Stopping Sight Distance Overtaking Sight Distance
For stopping vehicle For overtaking