Class Road Infrastructures

The Road Infrastructures Curricular Unit falls within the field of Civil Engineering, with a focus on Road Engineering. It aims to provide students with fundamental knowledge of road transport infrastructures, with particular emphasis on road conception and geometric design, including the main alignment constraints, the definition of horizontal and vertical alignments, and their integration into the surrounding territory. The curricular unit therefore contributes to the development of the skills required to understand, analyse, and develop road infrastructure projects.

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1. Roads: fundamental concepts, classification and components of road infrastructures. 2. Basic elements of road geometric design and alignment constraints. 3. Design speed, design vehicle and design criteria. 4. Sight distance and road safety requirements. 5. Horizontal alignment: tangents, circular curves and transition curves. 6. Cross-section: road platform, shoulders, widening and superelevation. 7. Vertical alignment: longitudinal profile, grades and vertical curves. 8. Earthworks: principles, earthwork quantities and integration into road design. 9. Development and interpretation of road projects through practical exercises and case studies.

The curricular unit adopts active student-centred methodologies, combining theoretical instruction with problem- and project-based learning. Concepts are applied through progressive exercises, case analysis and the development of road design solutions, bringing learning closer to real Civil Engineering situations. Digital resources and the Moodle platform are used to provide learning materials, exercises and support for autonomous learning.

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. (2018). A policy on geometric design of highways and streets (7th ed.). AASHTO. ISBN 978-1-56051-676-7. Garber, N. J., & Hoel, L. A. (2020). Traffic and highway engineering: Enhanced SI edition (5th ed.). Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-1-337-63104-4. Branco, F., Pereira, P., & Picado-Santos, L. (2005). Pavimentos rodoviários. Almedina.