Recommended Technical Standards for Existing Roads
UNH Technology Transfer Center
Purposes and Acknowledgements
These model standards provide New Hampshire cities and towns with a set of recommendations
for inclusion in their policies governing existing roads. Nearly all are technical, quantitative
standards that will ensure long lasting roads. That is, if a city or town repairs roads constructed
according to these standards, it will provide its residents with safe, properly designed and
constructed roads for a long time.
Similar to the Recommended Technical Standards for New Roads, municipal officials should
regard these as minimum technical standards for existing roads in their city/town. They should
exceed them whenever considerations of safety or cost effectiveness warrant. Also similar to the
new road standards; specific situations, such as topography and other physical factors, might
require a one-time exception to these standards. Another reason for some exceptions is if the
situation meets recommendations of AASHTO’s Guidelines for Geometric Design of Very Low-
Volume Local Roads (ADT<400). It is derived from a formal risk assessment of such roads,
provides design criteria for such roads, and describes how and when to make exceptions to those
criteria. Municipal officials should approve an exception only after considering all factors, and
based on an engineering study where appropriate.
Two attachments are included in these model standards. Table I, “Roadway Geometric Design
Standards,” provides minimum standards by classification as defined in section 2 below. Figure
1 and its accompanying table, entitled “Geometric Cross Section Design Elements,” provides
minimum standards for various ranges of average daily traffic (ADT). Both should be included
in documents that make these standards official policy.
In the text below, “roads” means Class IV and V roads, streets, and highways. A separate
“Definitions” handout suggests usage and terms definitions for subdivision regulations.
Consistent with those definitions, “Board” is used below to mean the city/town Planning Board.
“Road Manager” refers to the city/town official -- for example, public works director, road agent,
highway superintendent -- specifically responsible for maintenance and repair of city/town roads.
“Plan” refers to the Road Repair Plan described in standard No. 2 below.
Numbers in parentheses refer to sources in the References section, which should also be
included in policy documents. “State Specification” refers to the NHDOT’s “Standard
Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction” (5). “State Plans” refers to NHDOT’s
“Standard Plans for Road and Bridge Construction” (6).
4/6/2005 UNH T² Center Training\BasicsGoodRoad\Manual\[Link]
Text of Recommended Technical Standards
1. REPAIR TREATMENTS. The Road Manager shall determine repair treatments based on
generally accepted criteria. These criteria require identification of specific conditions, which
should be determined for all network roads, and appropriate repairs selected for each road
segment. Treatment applications will conform to the minimum requirements described below
and to applicable State Specifications.
2. ROAD REPAIR PLAN. All repair projects shall be included in an approved multiyear Road
Repair Plan. Budgets shall be prepared based on a formally proposed Road Repair Plan, with
cost estimates based on completed projects meeting the standards described below. The Plan
shall be based on a priority system in which repair strategies and categories have the
following relative priorities:
Relative Repair Treatment
Priority Strategy Category
Highest Routine Crack sealing and patching
Preventive Surface coat -- thin overlays, sand seals, and chip seals
Rehabilitation Thick overlays, cold planning and overlay
Lowest Reconstruction Reclaiming and reconstruction
The Road Manager shall determine and document in the Plan which work items will be
performed by contract, city/town employees, and a combination of contract and city/town
employees. The approved budget shall also serve as approval for the final Road Repair Plan.
The governing body shall define the process and authorities for Plan preparation, review, and
approval.
3. PERMITS. For work accomplished by city/town employees, the Road Manager shall ensure
compliance with all federal and state construction and environmental permits. In addition, he
will also include in all contracts the requirement that contractors and subcontractors comply
with all federal and state construction and environmental permits.
4. STREET LAYOUT.
• General. All repaired roads shall have adequate provision for a safe and suitable access
to a Class V or better road. Where the Road Manager determines an existing access street
to be substandard, he/she shall ensure that repair and/or modification of said street is
included in the Road Repair Plan. Repaired streets shall be of suitable location, width,
grade, and improvement to accommodate prospective traffic and afford satisfactory
access to police, fire fighting, emergency equipment, snow removal, sanitation, and road
maintenance equipment. Their arrangement and character shall conform to the Master
Plan, and any and all other City/Town regulations, and shall compose a safe and
convenient system in relation to other existing and planned streets, to topographic
conditions, and to the proposed uses of land to be served by the street. Existing
stonewalls shall be retained where possible or relocated and restored as required by the
Board.
• Arrangement. Streets layout shall be modified to intersect at right angles as nearly as
possible. No street shall intersect another at less than 60 degrees. Streets shall be
continuous and in alignment with existing streets as much as possible. The city/town shall
4/6/2005 UNH T² Center Training\BasicsGoodRoad\Manual\[Link]
provide for a circular terminus at the end of all roads where thru streets are not provided
in the near future.
• Classification.
a. Arterial Streets are intended to carry traffic from collector streets to the system of
highways; that is, to move through traffic to and from major attracters.
b. Collector Streets carry traffic from local streets to the major system of arterial streets
and highways. They are intended to collect and distribute traffic in minor traffic
generating areas.
c. Local Streets provide primarily for access to abutting properties, They are designed
and intended to carry through traffic.
d. Cul-de-sacs and Loop Streets have only one point of access from an approved street
that has multiple points of access.
e. Private Streets are on property held under private ownership and are not maintained
by the Town.
5. DEAD-END STREETS. Streets designed to be permanent, dead-end streets shall be shorter
than 1,000 feet, and shall be provided with a turn around having an inside road surface
diameter of at least 100 feet.
6. STREET NAMES. All streets shall be named to comply with the provisions of the
“Enhanced 911 System” (RSA 106-H:2 and RSA 106-H:10), and shall be subject to the
approval of the Board.
7. TRAFFIC AND STREET SIGNS. The location and type of sign to be installed shall be in
accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
8. STREET LIGHT. Street lights shall be provided if the Road Manager determines they are
necessary.
9. GUARDRAIL. Guardrail shall be used in locations where the New Hampshire Department
of Transportation’s typical warrant for guardrail is met and/or as required by the Road
Manager. Guardrail shall be metal beam on wood posts, meeting State Specification 606 and,
as applicable, State Plans GR-1 through GR-8. All guardrail installation must end safely
using a MELT-type terminal unit. FLEAT or ELT-type units may be permitted by the Road
Department.
10. RIGHT-OF-WAY. Nearly all existing local roads have an established right of way width. In
some instances, the right of way width might preclude travel way and/or shoulder widths. In
such instances the Road Manager must ensure that motorists are informed of potentially
unsafe situations with proper signage. In addition, if right of way width is insufficient to
construct ditches as described in Figure 1. The Road Manager shall provide underdrains
and/or other means to enable water to flow away from the road.
11. HIGHWAY RIGHT-OF-WAY BOUNDS. Highway bounds, of a type approved by the
Board, shall be installed at each point of curvature (PC), point of tangent (PT), and changes
in property at all intersection of streets, at all points of change in direction and at any other
points the Board may deem necessary to designate the street lines.
4/6/2005 UNH T² Center Training\BasicsGoodRoad\Manual\[Link]
• Type
a. Stone or Concrete Bounds shall be of concrete or stone, not less than thirty-six (36)
inches in length, not less than four (4) inches square or five (5) inches in diameter,
and marked on top with a cross, brass plug, iron rod, or other durable material
securely imbedded.
b. Iron Pipes shall be at least thirty-six (36) inches long and seven-eights (7/8) inch in
diameter or square.
• Location
a. Bound Locations. The external boundaries, rights-of-way lines, block corners, etc. of
a subdivision shall be monumented on the field by bounds. These bounds shall be
placed not more than 1,400 feet apart in any straight line and at all corners, at each
end of all curves, at the point a curve changes its radius, at all angle points in any line,
said points to be not less than twenty (20) feet from the bank of any river or stream.
b. Iron Pipe Locations. The lines of all lots and any other points not monumented by
bounds shall be monumented by iron pipes. Those iron pipes located along rivers and
streams shall be located along the meander line.
• Placement. Bounds shall be set flush with finished grade. No permanent bounds shall be
set until all construction which would disturb or destroy the monuments is completed. All
bounds shall be set under the direction of a registered professional engineer or a
registered land surveyor.
12. ALIGNMENT AND GRADES. Table 1 provides minimums for curves, grades, and other
geometry.
• Exceptions. Where, in the opinion of the Road Manager, adherence to the maximum
grade specified in Table 1 will cause local streets to be repaired with excessive cuts or
fills, he/she may waive the above specified maximum grade. The Road Manager may
also waive grade and other geometric criteria if risk assessment in accordance with
Reference (3) determines the existing geometry is adequate. However, the Road
Manager must ensure, by signage or other means, that motorists are warned of potential
hazards.
13. CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION. The Road Manager shall ensure that roadways,
drainage facilities, sidewalks, curbs and all other elements of the highway are constructed
under the supervision of competent individuals. The Road Manager shall also determine any
necessary contractors, consultants, construction testing, and inspection, and shall include
costs for these services in project budget proposals.
14. CLEARING AND GRUBBING. The entire area of each roadway shall be cleared and
grubbed of all stumps, brush, roots, boulders, like materials and all trees not intended for
preservation, and shall not be used for fill or buried on site. Clearing and grubbing shall
conform to Section 201 of the State Specifications.
15. SUBGRADE PREPARATION. All loam, humus, soft clay, and other yielding material
shall be removed from within the limits of the roadway area to a depth of no less than
twenty-four (24) inches below subgrade grade and/or to a depth that may be required by the
4/6/2005 UNH T² Center Training\BasicsGoodRoad\Manual\[Link]
Road Manager. Ledge occurring anywhere in the full cross-section of the roadway must be
cleared to a minimum depth of twenty-four (24) inches below the finished surface. Ledge
occurring in pipe trenches must be cleared so as to have a gravel cushion of at least one (1)
foot below and on both sides of the pipe.
16. STORM DRAINAGE. All proposed repair projects shall provide for proper surface
drainage so that removal of surface waters will not adversely affect any neighboring
properties or the public storm water system and will help reduce flooding, erosion, and
sedimentation. Where the Road Manager determines that the existing downstream, offsite
drainage system is substandard, he/she may make improvements to the drainage system.
Whenever necessary, longitudinal storm drainage systems will be provided. Construction
shall be in accordance with State Specifications Sections 603, 604 and 605, and State Plans
Standards DR-1, DR-2, DR-3, DR-4, and DR-5.
• Pipe Size, Velocity and Type. The Road Managers shall determine pipe sizes and
materials based on past experience and records with the following minimums and
maximum length.
a. Minimum allowable pipe diameter in any storm drain system shall be fifteen (15)
inches;
b. Where there is evidence of erosion in ditches, at culvert inlets, and/or outlets, the
Road Manager shall provide adequate erosion prevention measures.
c. Where possible, the minimum depth of cover for storm drain lines shall be thirty-six
(36) inches from the top of pipe to finished grade. Where not possible, the Road
Manager shall provide for concrete or other adequate cover over the pipe.
d. Bedding shall be three-quarter (3/4)-inch crushed stone. Bedding shall be a minimum
six (6)-inch depth in earth and twelve (12)-inch depth in ledge; and
e. Maximum length between drain manholes shall be three hundred (300) feet.
• Calculated Quantities and Flow Rates. If the Road Manager determines that empirical
evidence is insufficient, he/she shall arrange for a drainage study/stormwater
management report by a professional engineer. The minimum design velocity in pipes
shall be two (2) feet per second and the maximum velocity shall be ten (10) feet per
second. The rainfall frequency to be used for calculations shall be as follows:
a. Residential Areas: 10 years;
b. Commercial Areas: 25 years;
c. Industrial Areas: 25 years; and
d. Flood Protection Works: 50 years
• Placement of Drain Lines All off-site drain lines shall be placed within right-of-way
dedicated for public streets unless use of easements is specifically approved by the Board.
• Drainage Structures. Manholes and other drainage structures shall be pre-cast concrete
meeting H-20 loading and constructed and installed in accordance with State
Specification for Road and Bridge Construction. Drainage structures shall not exceed
eighteen (18) feet in depth (rim to bottom of structure). Outlet structures at detention
basins, when necessary, shall be designed by a professional engineer.
• Driveway Culverts. The location, length, size, bedding and backfill of all driveway
culverts shall be approved by the Road Manager prior to construction. Driveway culverts
4/6/2005 UNH T² Center Training\BasicsGoodRoad\Manual\[Link]
shall be located a minimum of eight (8) feet off edge of roadway pavement, or at the
bottom of the roadway ditch.
17. CURBS. The Road Manager may require roadways be curbed on both sides and drained
appropriately. Construction shall be in accordance with State Specifications Section 609, and
State Plans Standards CR-1 and CR-2.
18. SIDEWALKS. The city/town may require construction of sidewalks for pedestrian access to
schools, parks, shopping areas and transit stops or where population density and/or traffic
volume conditions are such that the [Link] determines the construction of sidewalks to be
prudent. In commercial and industrial districts, sidewalks may be required on both sides of
the street. In residential districts, sidewalks may be required on one side of the street.
Sidewalks shall be a minimum of 5 feet wide (minimum), no closer than 22 feet to the street
centerline, and constructed with granite curb, 6 inches thick gravel (State Specification 304.2,
except maximum size shall be 2 inches), 3 inches crushed gravel (State Specification 304.3),
and 3 inches of asphalt pavement (State Specification 608). Curb shall be set in Portland
Cement Concrete. Curb ramps and sidewalks shall be constructed to comply with reference
(2).
19. DRIVEWAYS. Driveway width for commercial and industrial subdivisions shall be in
accordance with the [city/town] Zoning Ordinance. Maximum driveway width for residential
single family and duplex lots shall be twelve (12) feet at the right-of-way with five (5)-foot
radius at the edge of pavement of the street.
20. BASE COURSE. The road base course shall be of materials, and at least the widths and
thicknesses, indicated in Figure 1. Crushed gravel shall conform to Pay Item 304.3 in State
Specification Section 304. Gravel shall conform to Pay Item 304.2 in State Specification
Section 304, except that the maximum size stones shall be 3 inches. All other provisions of
State Specification Section 304 are part of these standards.
21. ASPHALT SURFACE. Where designated in Figure 1, “Asph. Surf. Treated” surfaces shall
be a two-layer Bituminous Surface Treatment in accordance with State Specification Section
410. “Hot Mix” surfaces shall be Hot Bituminous Pavement in accordance with State
Specification Section 403. Widths and thicknesses shall be at least as indicated in Figure 1.
At least a 44 feet wide pavement is required in areas where on-street parking is expected on
both sides of the travel way. Angle parking is not allowed.
22. GRAVEL SURFACE. In cases of very low traffic volumes, defined herein as up to 50
vehicles per day, where the Board determines an asphalt surface is not required, the total
usable roadway width shall be a minimum of 22 feet. Provision for a wider section should be
considered to allow for future upgrading to an asphalt surface as recommended above. The
gravel wearing course shall conform to State Specification 304.2, except that the maximum
size stones shall be 1¼ inches. All other provisions of State Specification Section 304 are
part of these standards.
23. GRAVEL SHOULDERS. Gravel shoulders, and their base courses, shall be at least the
depths, widths, and thicknesses indicated in Figure 1. Gravel shall conform to State
Specification 304.33. All other provisions of State Specification Section 304 are part of these
standards.
4/6/2005 UNH T² Center Training\BasicsGoodRoad\Manual\[Link]
24. BRIDGES. Bridges, as defined by State Law (RSA 234:2), are structures of 10.0 feet or
greater clear span, and shall be designed to MS-18 (HS-20) loading (AASHTO
Specifications). The minimum roadway width shall be 24 feet. Bridges shall be designed by a
professional engineer, and constructed in accordance with that design.
25. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND PERMITS. The Road Manager shall be
responsible for determining the applicability of any and all environmental regulations that
apply to repair projects, for acquiring the necessary permits, for taking whatever action is
necessary to comply with applicable regulations and permits, and, if necessary, for
terminating the necessary permits. The applicable work could include, but not be limited to,
• Any fill, dredge, excavation, etc that impacts wetlands or other jurisdictional areas;
• All temporary and permanent measures and treatment devices necessary to prevent
erosion and control sediment during and after construction;
• Any construction activity proposed to disturb one (1) or more acre of land as defined by
US EPA NPDES permits
• Any disturbance of more than 100,000 square feet of terrain (50,000 sq. feet. if within the
protected shoreland) as defined by NHDES rules for a “Site Specific” permit.
26. UTILITIES. Utility poles should be kept close to the right-of-way line, in no case closer
than the ditch back slope and always well back of a curb. Water and sewer mains should be
constructed outside the surface area, and preferably outside the ditch line.
27. SAFETY. Safety is an important factor on all roadway improvements. On existing roads it
may not be possible or practical to obtain obstacle-free roadsides but every effort should be
made to provide clear areas within the maintenance limits. The use of flatter slopes, the use
of guardrail where necessary, and the use of warnings signs are other safety factors to be
considered. These areas are addressed in the publication Roadside Design Guide by
AASHTO, 2002.
References
(1) A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets. 2001 or later edition. AASHTO.
(2) Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access, Part II of II: Best Practices Design Guide.
(3) Guidelines for Geometric Design of Very Low-Volume Local Roads (ADT<400). 2001 or
later edition. AASHTO.
(4) Roadside Design Guide. 2002 or later edition. AASHTO.
(5) Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges. 17th Edition (2002) or later. AASHTO.
(6) Standard Plans for Road and Bridge Construction. 2001 or later edition. NHDOT.
(7) Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction. 2002 or later edition. NHDOT.
(8) Stormwater Management and Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook for Urban and
Developing Areas in New Hampshire. 1992 or later edition. Rockingham County
Conservation District.
4/6/2005 UNH T² Center Training\BasicsGoodRoad\Manual\[Link]
TABLE 1
Roadway Geometric Design Standards
Arterial Collector Local
Right-of-way width 80 feet 60 feet 50 feet
Traveled way width 24 feet 24 feet 22 feet
Shoulder width 10 feet 4 feet 3 feet
Minimum Grade 1% 1% 1%
Maximum Grade 8.0% 8.0% 8.0%
Maximum grade within 100 feet of 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%
intersections
Minimum angle of intersection 75 75 75
Minimum centerline radii 600 feet 300 feet 200 feet
Intersection radii:
Arterial to 50 feet 50 feet 30 feet
Collector to 50 feet 30 feet 30 feet
Local to 30 feet 30 feet 30 feet
Rate of super elevation (Use .08 feet .08 feet .04 feet
AASHTO Chart)
Rate of super elevation through intersection .04 feet .04 feet .04 feet
Cross slope of pavement (minimum) 2% 2% 2%
Slope of shoulder (minimum) 5% 5% 5%
4/6/2005 UNH T² Center Training\BasicsGoodRoad\Manual\[Link]
Figure 1
Geometric Cross Section Design Elements
Average Daily Traffic (vehicles/day) 0-50 50-200 200-750 750-1500 1500 & over
Pavement Width (feet 18 (min.) 20 20 22 24
Shoulder Width (feet) (Note 1) 2 2 4 4 8-10
Center of Road to Ditch Line (feet) 15 16 18 19-21 Varies
Cross Slope of Roadway 4% 3% 2% 2% 2%
Wearing Surface Type (Note 2) Gravel Double chip Hot mix Hot mix Hot mix
seal or HMA asphalt asphalt asphalt
Wearing Surface Thickness (inches) 3 Varies 1½ 2 2
Wearing Surface Specification (Note 3) UNH T² Handout UNH T² Handout Type C Type B Type A
or Type C
Pavement Base Thickness (inches) 3 3 4
Pavement Base Specification (Note 3) Type F Type E Type D
Crushed Gravel Thickness (inches) 3 4 4 6 6
Crushed Gravel Specification (Note 4) NHDOT 304.3 NHDOT 304.3 NHDOT 304.3 NHDOT 304.3 NHDOT 304.3
Gravel Thickness (inches) (Note 5) 12 12 12 12 18
Gravel Specification (Note 4) NHDOT 304.3 NHDOT 304.3 NHDOT 304.3 NHDOT 304.3 NHDOT 304.3
Notes: 1. For average daily traffic over 1000 vehicles/day, paved shoulders should be considered.
2. Gravel surfaces should be paved where steep grades occur.
3. “Type” is defined in Section 401 of NHDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction.
4. “NHDOT 304.3” is defined in Section 304 of NHDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction.
5. Gravel base course thickness should be increased in areas of poor soils.