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Course profile

Highway Geometric Design (CIVL4460)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Civil Engineering School

This course provides students with an understanding of the basic principles and techniques of highway design. This will include laying out potential routes, design of the alignment and intersections, evaluation of earthwork and pavement requirements, and pavement design. The student should understand and apply these principles to highway design problems. The student should also use existing computer tools to generate, design, and evaluate these designs.

This course follows on from previous coursework in highway design, emphasising to students both the theory and practice of highway design in terms of the roadway geometry and the roadway pavement design. Students are introduced to principles of highway design relating to the roadway function, context-sensitive design, horizontal and vertical alignments, cross-sectional elements, and junctions. New content discusses highway pavement design and construction. Through practical examples using common software tools, students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in highway design.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Completion of CIVL2420 (Fundamentals of Transportation Engineering) is required, and completion of CIVL3420 (Sustainable TransportᅠEngineering - Planning and Design) or CIVL3430 (Sustainable TransportᅠEngineering) is strongly recommended.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

CIVL2420

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

CIVL3420 or CIVL3430

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Aims and outcomes

The course aims to enable students to:

  1. Understand basic principles and techniques of highway design, particularly roadway function, context-sensitive design, and road safety
  2. Design the vertical and horizontal alignments and cross-sections of roadwaysᅠand junctions
  3. Evaluate the earthwork and soil/subgrade requirements within a roadway design
  4. Consider materials, loading, design features, and performance of a roadway pavement
  5. Use existing computer tools to generate, design, and evaluate these highway designs

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Describe and explain the principles behind the geometric and pavement design of highway infrastructure

LO2.

Identify the primary factors to be considered in the design and construction of highway infrastructure

LO3.

Identify highway infrastructure problems and create practical and innovative design solutions

LO4.

Understand the social and environmental responsibilities in highway design and construction

LO5.

Create highway design solutions that are sensitive to local context and conditions

LO6.

Use standard industry software to generate highway designs and documentation

LO7.

Report and present design choices, and articulate design tradeoffs and decisions, to the public

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Product/ Design, Project Project 60%

13/08/2024 4:00 pm

30/08/2024 4:00 pm

20/09/2024 4:00 pm

25/10/2024 4:00 pm

Examination Final Exam
  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
40%

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Project

Mode
Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
Category
Product/ Design, Project
Weight
60%
Due date

13/08/2024 4:00 pm

30/08/2024 4:00 pm

20/09/2024 4:00 pm

25/10/2024 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Task description

There are four sections in this sequence, each is worth 15%. This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Electronic submission of report and any design files must be through the course BlackBoard site.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

The project work in this course is cumulative, so that extensions beyond 14 days will certainly lead to knock-on effects for subsequent projects.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Final Exam

  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
40%
Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Other conditions
Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Task description

The final exam will include a combination of short answer, short essay and problem solving questions.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Hurdle requirements

To receive an overall grade of 4 or more, a student must achieve at least 45% on the final exam.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 120 minutes
Calculator options

(In person) Casio FX82 series or UQ approved , labelled calculator only

Open/closed book Open Book examination
Exam platform Paper based
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 0 - 19.99

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student fails to understand basic principles and how to apply them.

2 (Fail) 20 - 44.99

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student fails to demonstrate sufficient knowledge or understanding of the underlying concept. Much of the communication from the student is inaccurate or not relevant.

3 (Marginal Fail) 45 - 49.99

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

Course grade description: The student evidences some knowledge of the subject, but there is limited understanding of the underlying concepts. A substantial part of the communication from the student is inaccurate or not relevant.

4 (Pass) 50 - 64.99

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates a sound knowledge of the underlying concept and communicates with some accuracy and relevance to specific information on the subject.

5 (Credit) 65 - 74.99

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates a sound knowledge of the underlying concept and communicates with considerable accuracy, relevance, and fluency with specific information on the subject.

6 (Distinction) 75 - 84.99

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the underlying concept and communicates with accuracy, relevance, and fluency with virtually all subject material. There is some ability to translate knowledge, skills and abilities to previously unseen problems.

7 (High Distinction) 85 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Course grade description: The student demonstrates mastery of the underlying concept and communicates with accuracy, relevance, and fluency across all subject material. The student clearly demonstrates ability to translate knowledge, skills and abilities to previously unseen problems, and shows the ability to analyse those problems critically.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Lecture notes, discussion questions, tutorial work, electronic files, and software tutorial instructions will be made available within Blackboard.

Software exercises in the computer sessions will make use of AutoCAD Civil 3D software for geometric design, and AustPADS software for pavement design. Instructions for accessingᅠtheseᅠsoftware tools will be made available within Blackboard and published course notes.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Multiple weeks

From Week 1 To Week 13
(22 Jul - 27 Oct)

Not Timetabled

Self-managed Study and Projects

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Lecture

Lectures and In-class Discussion

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Information technology session

Computer-based Design Activities

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: