Here is a comparison of Section 2: Geometric Design and General Features from all the uploaded
documents, including clause numbers:
1. IRC-SP-073-2018 (Two-Laning of Highways)
2.1 General
o Defines standards for geometric design for upgrading highways to two-lane
standards.
o Emphasizes ensuring no stretch remains with deficient geometries.
o Where land acquisition is challenging, bypasses may be constructed.
2.2 Design Speed
o Plain & Rolling Terrain: Ruling speed: 100 km/h, Minimum: 80 km/h
o Mountainous & Steep Terrain: Ruling speed: 60 km/h, Minimum: 40 km/h
2.3 Right-of-Way (ROW)
o Existing ROW should be used wherever possible.
o ROW of 30 m is recommended, with bypasses requiring 45-60 m ROW.
2.4 Lane Width
o Standard lane width: 3.5 m.
2.5 Median
o Applies to 4/6 lane bypasses, must follow IRC-SP-84 & IRC-SP-87 standards.
2.6 Shoulders
o Plain & Rolling Terrain: Paved: 2.5 m, Earthen: 1.5 m (Total: 4.0 m).
o Mountainous & Steep Terrain: Hill side: 1.5 m, Valley side: 2.5 m.
2. IRC-SP-084-2019 (Four-Laning of Highways)
2.1 General
o Lays out geometric standards for four-lane divided carriageway.
o In built-up areas, four-lane divided carriageway with service roads must be provided.
o Bypasses are required where ROW constraints exist.
2.2 Design Speed
o Plain & Rolling Terrain: Ruling speed: 100 km/h, Minimum: 80 km/h
o Mountainous & Steep Terrain: Ruling speed: 60 km/h, Minimum: 40 km/h
2.3 Right-of-Way
o Minimum ROW: 60 m for four-lane highways.
2.4 Lane Width
o Standard lane width: 3.5 m.
2.5 Median
o Raised or depressed median; minimum width varies from 2.5 to 7.0 m.
2.6 Shoulders
o Plain & Rolling Terrain: Paved: 2.5 m, Earthen: 1.5 m (Total: 4.0 m).
o Mountainous & Steep Terrain: Hill side: 1.5 m, Valley side: 2.5 m.
2.9 Geometric Design
o Must conform to IRC:73 and incorporate super-elevation where needed.
3. IRC-SP-087-2019 (Six-Laning of Highways)
2.1 General
o Establishes standards for six-lane divided carriageway.
o Where ROW constraints exist, the highway may be elevated or bypasses
constructed.
2.2 Design Speed
o Plain & Rolling Terrain: Ruling speed: 100 km/h, Minimum: 80 km/h
o Mountainous & Steep Terrain: Ruling speed: 60 km/h, Minimum: 40 km/h
2.3 Right-of-Way
o Minimum ROW: 60 m for six-lane highways.
2.4 Lane Width
o Standard lane width: 3.5 m.
2.5 Median
o Raised or depressed median; minimum width varies from 2.5 to 7.0 m.
2.6 Shoulders
o Plain & Rolling Terrain: Paved: 2.5 m, Earthen: 1.5 m (Total: 4.0 m).
o Mountainous & Steep Terrain: Hill side: 1.5 m, Valley side: 2.5 m.
2.9 Geometric Design
o Must conform to IRC:73 and incorporate super-elevation where needed.
4. IRC-SP-99-2023 (Expressways)
2.1 General
o Establishes geometric design for expressways.
o Expressways should have safety, mobility, and efficiency as primary goals.
o Where variations in terrain exist, design speed should change gradually.
2.2 Design Speed
o Main-line Expressway: 120 km/h
o Ramps (including loops): 70 km/h
2.3 Right-of-Way
o Rural Sections: 100 m ROW
o Semi-urban sections: 120 m ROW
2.4 Lane Width
o Standard lane width: 3.75 m (wider than highways).
2.5 Median
o Minimum 15 m wide median to allow for future widening.
2.6 Shoulders
o Paved shoulder: 3.0 m, Earthen: 1.0 m (Total: 4.0 m).
2.9 Geometric Design
o Should conform to IRC:99.
o Emphasis on smooth vertical and horizontal transitions.
Comparison Summary
IRC-SP-073-2018 IRC-SP-084-2019 IRC-SP-087-2019 IRC-SP-99-2023
Feature
(Two-Lane) (Four-Lane) (Six-Lane) (Expressway)
Design Speed 100 (Plain), 60 100 (Plain), 60
100 (Plain), 60 (Hilly) 120 (Expressway)
(km/h) (Hilly) (Hilly)
Lane Width (m) 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.75
ROW (m) 30-60 60 60 100-120
Median Width 4/6-lane as per IRC-
2.5-7.0 2.5-7.0 15.0
(m) SP-84 & 87
IRC-SP-073-2018 IRC-SP-084-2019 IRC-SP-087-2019 IRC-SP-99-2023
Feature
(Two-Lane) (Four-Lane) (Six-Lane) (Expressway)
Shoulder Width 2.5 (paved), 1.5 2.5 (paved), 1.5 2.5 (paved), 1.5 3.0 (paved), 1.0
(m) (earthen) (earthen) (earthen) (earthen)
Key Observations
1. Expressways have the highest design standards, with a speed limit of 120 km/h and 3.75 m
wide lanes, compared to 3.5 m for highways.
2. Expressways also have the widest ROW (100-120 m), while six-lane and four-lane highways
require only 60 m.
3. Median width is significantly larger on expressways (15 m), allowing for future expansion,
whereas highways have medians between 2.5 to 7.0 m.
4. Shoulders on expressways are wider (3.0 m paved) compared to 2.5 m for highways,
improving safety.
This comparison highlights how expressway design prioritizes higher speed, safety, and capacity,
while highways are designed to balance cost and accessibility.
Would you like a more detailed breakdown of any particular aspect? 🚧