4.

0 ROAD DESIGN

4.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter deals with the requirements for the design of roads, accesses, paths and associated
structures and embellishments. Details are not necessarily comprehensive. The designer should
refer to, and be competent with, the standards nominated as references. Generally, the parent
authorities for road design are the RTA and Austroad, guidelines.

Engineering designs should include geometric details of, road and drainage layouts, their
gradients, cross sections, and kerb returns. (See appendix for full details). All existing
infrastructure, surface features and underground services must be shown on the plans.

All design proposals must be carried out by experienced and competent practitioners.

4.2 GEOMETRIC DESIGN

4.2.1 CARRIAGEWAY WIDTHS

i) ROADS
Roads shall be constructed as determined by the development or subdivision consent.

Widths of roads for residential subdivision are defined by their status within Council’s road
hierarchy, which adopts maximum lot catchments for various road types. The following table
“ROAD TYPES AND DIMENSIONS” provides details of road widths according to lot catchment,
being related to design traffic volume.

For details on traffic generating rates of various development types other than subdivision, the
RTA Guide to Traffic Generating Developments should be consulted.

Page 27 Manual Of Engineering Standards - 2004 Chapter 4 – Road Design

 ROAD TYPES AND DIMENSIONS
d
Road Type Max. No. Reserve Carriageway or Footway Kerb Footpath ESA’s Characteristic
a b c e
Lots Width (m) kerb–kerb (m) verge (m) Type 1.2m wide Deflection
Access * 10 17 8 4.5 Rolled Nil 5 1.20
1x10
Local – Minor * 20 17 8 4.5 Rolled Nil 5 1.20
1x10
f 5
Local - Secondary 50 17 8 4.5 Rolled One side 2x10 1.20
Local - Primary 100 17 8 4.5 Rolled One side 5 1.10
5x10
Collector 200 17 8 4.5 Rolled One side 6 1.00
1x10
Distributor - Secondary 400 20 11 4.5 Rolled One side 6 0.90
2x10
Distributor - Primary 800 22 11 5.5 Upright Both sides 6 0.77
5x10
Arterial or Sub-Arterial > 800 24 13 5.5 Upright Both sides 7 0.70
1x10 min
Rural Residential (1d) per above per above per categories above per above Rolled Nil per above per above
g h i j
Rural Residential (1c) per above 20 7.5 6.25 Nil Nil per above per above
Rural - Minor 50 20 8 Nil Nil Nil 5 1.10
1x10
k 6
Industrial - Minor 10 22 13 4.5 Upright Nil 5x10 0.77
Industrial > 10 22 13 4.5 Upright Nil 7 0.70
1x10 min
Notes:
a) additional width in accordance with Austroads standards may be necessary where on-road cycleways are required
b) may be reduced to 2.0m for roads up to Collector status where there is an adjacent public reserve
c) edge restraints are required for AC wearing surfaces. Concrete edge beams may be permitted.
d) Equivalent Standard Axels
e) see the Construction Section of this manual
f) a concrete footpath is required, in principle, for lot catchments of generally greater than 50 lots. Footpath warrants must be
determined in conjunction with the surrounding development, (present and future) and direction/desire destinations.
g) may be varied dependent on alternatives at note (h)
h) alternatively, rolled K & G with a 6.5m carriageway width may be employed
i) provide a 2.0m minimum width of grassed footpath profile within footway
j) alternatively, rolled K & G may be employed in lieu of table drains (grassed swales)
k) includes corner lots
* road widths under review

Page { PAGE } Engineering Requirements for Development May 2004 Section 4 – Road Design
Pavement width is measured between kerb faces. For a rolled kerb profile the nominal face of
kerb shall be 150mm from the back of kerb.

Council will consider the construction of alternative pavement types, colours, textures and
widths on their individual merits, but their consideration will be restricted to areas of low lot
catchment, and where, for example, residential lots are on one side of the street, or opposite to
and adjoining a Public Reserve or “Open Space”. Such pavements shall only be provided at the
terminal end of residential streets, and shall cater for a maximum number of five properties,
including the corner allotment. Also, such pavements, if being considered as a connection
between two streets, must not create an alternative route for "through traffic".

Kerb and gutter shall be provided on both sides of all roads on residential subdivisions. Where
a development fronts an existing road forming part of the subdivision a nominal “half-width
construction” of the road is required. That width may extend beyond the nominal centreline in
order to provide for safe traffic use.

ii) ACCESS CORRIDORS FOR DRIVEWAYS

In the absence of any approved widths regarding access corridors, the following standards
shall apply. [see also 12.3.2]

• “Battleaxe” shaped lots shall include a corridor “handle” width of not less than 3.5m. [No
more than two lots may be created with adjoining “handles” when serviced by a
reciprocal Right of Carriageway].

• Corridor widths for commercial & industrial lots shall be 8.0m (minimum).

• Services to properties must be provided within and along the length of the individual
access “handles”

In “greenfield” subdivisions, driveway pavements shall be constructed in accordance with

standard Drawing SD014 at widths of 2.7 metres for residential, and 3.0m for
commercial/industrial subject to an assessment for vehicle passing. Driveway pavements may
be shared between property “handles”.

Page 29 Manual Of Engineering Standards - 2004 Chapter 4 – Road Design

 iii) CUL-DE-SAC AND KERB RETURNS

NOMINAL KERB FACE RADII (m)

URBAN & RURAL

INDUSTRIAL
RESIDENTIAL

Cul-De-Sac 10 13

Transition 16 24

Kerb Return 8 8

4.2.2 LONGITUDINAL GRADES

Minimum centreline longitudinal grades:

FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT RIGID PAVEMENT

Desirable minimum 1% 1%

Absolute min. Urban 0.5% 0.5%

Absolute min. Rural Level *

Desirable maximum 16% 20%

Bus route maximum 12% 12%

Absolute maximum 16% 25%

* with graded table drains at 1% minimum

The above grades will also depend upon grade length, traffic type, volumes and the occurrence
of bus routes.

4.2.3 CROSSFALL AND SUPERELEVATION

• Generally, roads should be crowned in the centre. Offset crowns are acceptable where
warranted to achieve satisfactory cross section profiles and to ensure adequate gutter
capacity for stormwater runoff.
• A standard 3% crossfall will apply to all urban roads.

Page 30 Manual Of Engineering Standards - 2004 Chapter 4 – Road Design

• The use of superelevation will only be permitted on major urban and rural roads with
design speeds of 80 km/h or greater, unless otherwise advised by the Engineer.

• Superelevation and transitions (where applicable) shall be provided in accordance with

either the current RTA Road Design Guide or the Austroads Guide to Traffic Engineering
Practice.

4.2.4 BATTERS

Batters of cut and fill should generally comply with the following requirements unless
otherwise advised by the geotechnical engineer. This is to ensure that property access,
pedestrian safety, and maintenance issues are satisfactory. Refer to Council’s standard drawing
SD002

BATTER SLOPES (HOR : VERT)

DESIRABLE MAXIMUM ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM

Within Road Reserves 6 :1 5 :1

Within Lots 6 :1 3 :1 (1)

General (Grassed) 5 :1 4 :1

Below Ponded Water 8 :1 6 :1

Landscaped Areas 4 :1 3 :1
(1) Driveway grades shall conform to Council Standard Drawings SD011
Note:
• The nominated slopes are generally for stable clay soils. Some soil types may not allow
such batters.

• Confirmation of suitable batter slopes by a geotechnical engineer may be necessary.

• Cuttings in rock may be near vertical, as recommended by an engineer.

• Batters for lotfill shall be contained within the lot.

• Variations will only be approved under special circumstances.

• Road batters which extend into lots, shall intersect with the natural surface level within
the “building line setback”.

Page 31 Manual Of Engineering Standards - 2004 Chapter 4 – Road Design

4.2.5 HORIZONTAL CURVES

The horizontal alignment should be carefully chosen to balance the topography, with the
desired speed control and adequate safety, for all road users.
• Curve radii are generally established within the approved subdivision plan. In urban
areas, a continually changing alignment is encouraged in order to maintain slow traffic
speeds.
• Long straights connected with short (isolated) radii curves are undesirable.
• The maximum deflection for which a curve is not necessary is one degree.

• The minimum centreline radius for a bus route shall be 60 metres.

• Horizontal curves on arterial, distributor and rural roads shall be in accordance with the
RTA Road Design Guide

• “Brokenback” curves, compound or progressively tightening curves, or sudden reverse

curves (no tangent separation) are not permitted due to an unsafe changing alignment.

• Where vertical curves are combined with horizontal curves, the respective sight distance
requirements should be amalgamated to ensure continuous provision of appropriate sight
distance.

Speed / Radius Relationship

Vehicle Speed Centreline Radius (m)

Klm/hr Curvilinear Isolated curve

alignment alignment
(short tangents) (long tangents)
25 20 20
30 30 20
35 50 30
40 90 40
45 105 50
50 120 60
55 140 70
60 160 80

Page 32 Manual Of Engineering Standards - 2004 Chapter 4 – Road Design

4.2.6 VERTICAL CURVES

Crest vertical curves shall be designed for minimum Stopping Sight Distance (SSD) for the
nominated design speed. Sag vertical curves shall be designed for riding comfort. Where
minor changes in grade (less than 1%) occur, vertical curve lengths shall satisfy appearance
criteria.
Reaction times shall be 1.5 seconds for urban and 2.5 seconds for rural areas.

In order to improve gutter flows and pit inlet capacity, sag vertical curves in kerb and gutter
design shall not be provided, where grades are flatter than 1%. Road crossfall may be increase
in the vicinity of the pit to achieve satisfactory gutter grades.
Long crest vertical curves in kerb and gutter design, where grades are flatter than 1%, shall be
avoided in preference to a short “ease”, say 5m long.

4.2.7 INTERSECTIONS
Major Intersections
Intersection of roads shall be designed to meet the RTA – “Road Design Guide” and Austroads
-“Intersections at Grade”.

Intersections shall incorporate the following:-

• Adequate capacity for the projected design life

• Adequate Stopping Sight Distance (SSD), Approach Sight Distance (ASD) and Entering
Sight Distance (ESD) as the circumstances require. Where an intersection is required in
the vicinity of a crest vertical curve, it should be placed at the crest rather than
immediately beyond the crest, where sight distance may be compromised.

• Provision for service authority requirements, cyclists, pedestrians and the disabled, and
street lighting where necessary.

• Intersections with RTA classified roads shall be designed in accordance with RTA
requirements incorporating articulated vehicle turning paths and acceptable angle of
entry.

• Intersection on a “B-Double” route shall comply with the appropriate turning paths.

• Signposting, furnishings and pavement markings, including raised pavement markers

shall be provided in accordance with RTA standards.

• Intersection angles should generally be perpendicular.

Page 33 Manual Of Engineering Standards - 2004 Chapter 4 – Road Design

Minor Intersections
Minor intersections shall be assessed regarding traffic volumes and safe traffic usage in
accordance with Austroads standards, addressing sight lines, by-pass potential, regulatory
signposting etc.

Cross-over intersections shall not be employed without adequate justification. Such scenarios
shall provide for staggered intersections to achieve a desirable minimum separation distance of
40m between opposing road centrelines of the minor road.

4.2.8 ROUNDABOUTS

Roundabouts shall be designed in accordance with the RTA or Austroads Guidelines.

The following principles shall be addressed:-

• All roundabout road pavements shall be constructed in reinforced concrete.

• Adequate design capacity, with a 40-year design life.
• Appropriate sight distance and provision for future services, pedestrians, cyclists,
drainage, lighting, signposting and line marking.
• Suitable (prostrate) landscaping and approved safety barriers, providing sight lines at low
levels (eg. for children) are not compromised.
• Subsoil drainage for any landscaped (unsealed) areas.
• Subsoil drainage at the perimeter (upright) kerb returns.

4.2.9 CUL DE SAC

Cul de sac geometry shall cater for turning manoeuvres of a single unit Heavy Rigid Vehicle
(HRV), typically a garbage truck. See Council’s standard drawing SD031 and section 4.2.1 iii)
Circular turning heads are preferred, although “hammerhead” variations may be considered,
if justified.

Absolute minimum pavement crossfall in turning heads shall be 2%

4.2.10 BUS STOPS

Bus stop/parking areas shall be designed in accordance with Austroad Standards. In

commercial areas the pavement of the stopping/lay-by area shall be reinforced concrete.

Page 34 Manual Of Engineering Standards - 2004 Chapter 4 – Road Design

4.2.11 TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES

Traffic control devices shall be provided to reduce travel speeds to match design requirements
where road geometry cannot provide such control. Such devises may also be used in
conjunction with streetscape, entry statements and landscaping.

The devices shall be designed in accordance with RTA or Austroads guidelines, and as
approved by the engineer. A device within an existing road requires approval by Council’s
Local Traffic committee.

4.2.12 FOOTWAYS & FOOTPATHS

Footpath and footway parameters shall be in accordance with standard drawings SD002,
SD009, & SD010, section 4.2.1 and the following:
• Footway width - 4.5 metres.
• Footway crossfall - 4%.
• Footpath width - 1.2m
• Footpath crossfall - 2.5% (max)
• Longitudinal grades of footways shall match adjacent roadway/kerb grades.
• Where footpath grades exceed 12% special consideration shall be given to pedestrians.

Variation to these parameters will only be considered under exceptional circumstances.

A concrete footpath within the footway shall be provided, in principle, for lot catchments of
generally greater than 50 lots. Footpath warrants must be determined in conjunction with the
surrounding development, (present and future) and direction/desire-line destinations.
Footpaths in industrial and rural residential areas are not generally required.

4.2.13 KERB RAMPS

Kerb ramps (pram ramps) shall be provided at all intersections, regardless of whether
footpaths are required or not, and in accordance with Council’s Standard Drawing SD019.
Where concrete footpath paving is not required, it is not necessary to construct the landing
and corner infill. The surface of the kerb ramps shall be coloured with a terracotta colour

Page 35 Manual Of Engineering Standards - 2004 Chapter 4 – Road Design

oxide, having a 30% colour contrast with the surrounding surface, with a stretcher bond brick
stencilled finish and shall be 125mm thick reinforced concrete with F72 reinforcing mesh and
tied or dowelled to the footpath where applicable.

Ramps and their texture shall be perpendicular to the road and directly opposing, to assist
directional orientation of sight impaired persons.

4.2.14 CYCLEWAYS

Cyclists shall be considered in all road design, with reference to RTA, Austroads, and Maitland
City Council standards.

Cycleways shall be provided on all routes as defined by the Maitland City Council Bike Plan or
in accordance with any Development Control Plan or condition of development consent.

All off road cycleways (beyond the road pavement) shall be “shared use paths” for cyclists and
pedestrians, being 2.5m wide, and shall be constructed in accordance with standard drawings
SD014 & SD020. Council may consider a shared use path 2.0m wide in very low-use
situations.

4.2.15 PATHWAYS

Pathways shall link common destinations such as schools and commercial precincts. They may
also act as stormwater overland flow paths (see section 6.5). Pathways shall be constructed as
concrete footpaths in accordance with the approved engineering drawings, the development
consent and Council’s standard drawing SD014 & SD040. Pathway reserves shall be 3.0m
wide containing concrete path 1.2m wide, and 3.5m wide containing concrete paths 2.5m
wide.

4.3 RURAL RESIDENTIAL

“Rural Residential”, road and drainage design, shall conform generally to the parameters
required at section 4.2.1

4.3.1 OPTIONS

Options for rural residential (1c zoning, being generally 4000 sq.m. lots) include:

Page 36 Manual Of Engineering Standards - 2004 Chapter 4 – Road Design

 1 Rolled kerb and gutter both sides
2 Rolled kerb and gutter one side, with one-way crossfall and a high-side concrete
edge beam
3 Table drains (grassed swales) in lieu of K & G (see standard drawing SD003)
Regarding option 3, the requirement for a grassed swale on the low side of the road is subject
to specific design issues such as downhill batter slope, road longitudinal grade and swale-drain
relief. In situations where the batter slope is significant, the longitudinal grade is low and the
catchment area is small (usually one-half road width) the swale may be deleted. One option in
lieu of a swale, is to provide one-way crossfall on the road pavement.
The swale should be designed wherever possible to provide vehicle clearances in accordance
with standard drawing SD012, to avoid the necessity for a pipe crossing.

4.3.2 VEHICLE ACCESS

Where option 3 is adopted, and in cut situations where a dished crossing is not practical, a 5m
long, 300mm diameter (min) concrete (class 4) or FRC pipe with headwalls, shall be provided
for each new lot (preferably in the centre of the lot). The table drain shall be diverted so that
the pipe is located 2m from the edge of bitumen. The pipe size shall provide sufficient capacity
for the 10-year ARI storm event for the contributing catchment area, with larger overflows
being contained by the road pavement. The crossing pavement shall be of compacted gravelled
(150mm min. thickness), with a 2-coat bitumen seal from the edge of the road seal to the
property boundary. See Council’s standard drawing SD010.

4.3.3 WEARING SURFACE

The wearing surface for rural residential roads shall be a 30mm thick asphaltic concrete seal
with concrete edge constraints (upon a primer seal), or a two-coat bitumen flush seal, where
no edge constraints are provided.

4.3.4 KERB RETURNS

Kerb returns shall be provided at road junctions. Roll kerb shall be the adopted profile, except
where upright kerb is justified.

Page 37 Manual Of Engineering Standards - 2004 Chapter 4 – Road Design

4.4 RURAL

Minor rural road and drainage design, shall conform generally to the parameters required at
section 4.2.1, and in accordance with RTA design guidelines.

Major rural road and drainage design shall conform to RTA standards including:
• Shoulders shall be bitumen sealed.
• Driveways shall be provided similar to those specified in section 4.3

4.5 ANCILLARY REQUIREMENTS

4.5.1 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Where construction works impact on existing vehicular or pedestrian traffic activities, a

Traffic Management Plan shall be submitted to Council for approval, in accordance with the
RTA guidelines "Traffic Control of Worksites".

Where temporary regulatory speed zone, construction zone, hoarding etc. are required,
separate approval will be required through Council’s Local Traffic Committee.

4.5.2 STREET NAME SIGNS

Street signs shall conform to Council’s standard specifications and Standard Drawing SD032.
Prior to issue of the Construction Certificate, an application for new street names should be
lodged with Council. The application should be supported by adequate justification for the
proposed names.

4.5.3 SIGNPOSTING & LINEMARKING

Signposting and line marking should generally be provided to roads, intersections, traffic
control devices (LATMS), pedestrian refuges, cycleways and car parks in accordance with
AS1742 & 1743 and the RTA guidelines for signs and markings. Roads with an 8.0 metre, or
greater, carriageway width, centreline and/or edgeline marking may be required, providing
3m wide travel lanes.

Page 38 Manual Of Engineering Standards - 2004 Chapter 4 – Road Design

Raised pavement markers, in accordance with RTA requirements, shall be provided on any
formalised/channelised intersections, and at any other locations that warrant particular traffic
safety considerations.

A separate copy of a proposed line marking and signposting plan shall be included in the
engineering plans and is subject to examination by Council’s Local Traffic Committee, or
Council’s Traffic/Assets Engineer.

All linemarking and signposting works must be completed prior to opening of roadways to
public traffic.

4.5.4 GUARDFENCE & GUIDEPOSTS

Guardfence refers to any approved type of safety barrier.

• Where there is a warrant, guardfence shall be provided in accordance with the current
Roads and Traffic Authority Design Guide as shown or as directed by Council.

• Guideposts shall be provided in accordance with Roads and Traffic Authority Design
Guide.

4.5.5 TEMPORARY TURNING CIRCLE

Where one stage of a subdivision road ends and the road is terminated, a temporary two (2)
coat seal turning head shall be provided at the end of the construction. The turning head shall
allow enough width to service the remote lots, from the road pavement. The footway area may
be considered for temporary use to achieve the desired turning radii within the temporary
turning head, subject to an appropriate design.

The temporary turning head shall have minimum radius of 10m for residential subdivisions
and 15m (18m preferred) for industrial. The temporary turning head shall form part of the
future pavement and the pavement design must match that specified for the adjoining road.

A chevron sight board shall be placed at the termination of the temporary turning head on the
prolongation of the centreline of the road.

Page 39 Manual Of Engineering Standards - 2004 Chapter 4 – Road Design

4.5.6 LIGHTING & POWER SUPPLY

Urban Residential & Commercial

Lighting shall be provided to new subdivisions in accordance with AS1158 part 3, with
particular attention to the objectives of section 2.2 regarding glare control. Lighting of areas
beyond the road infrastructure, where required by Council, (such as “pathways”), shall be
provided by the developer.
Power and lighting supply shall be underground.

Industrial
Lighting shall be provided to new subdivisions subject to warrants, and Council’s design
requirements.
Power supply shall be underground.

Rural Residential
Generally, lighting shall not be provided to rural residential subdivision. Consideration for
lighting may be given, subject to special circumstances, such as proximity to destinations for
pedestrian traffic.
Power and lighting supply shall be underground unless otherwise agreed with the supplier.

Rural
Lighting shall not be provided unless warrants are justified by special circumstances.
Power supply shall be aerial.

4.5.7 BRIDGES & STRUCTURES

Designs related to drainage structures, such as bridges or large culverts, retaining walls etc.
shall be carried out in accordance with relevant Austroads and RTA Design Codes.

Certification by a practicing structural/civil engineer stating that the design has been prepared
in accordance with relevant standards, is required.

All precast structures shall be similarly certified for structural adequacy. Documentation shall
be submitted to Council prior to the installation of such components.

Page 40 Manual Of Engineering Standards - 2004 Chapter 4 – Road Design

4.5.8 VEHICLE TURNING PATHS

Vehicle manoeuvring templates, in accordance with RTA, Austroads or Australian Standards

shall be employed for each appropriate vehicle type. Public roads shall cater for Articulated
Vehicles (AV) turning paths. Where a “B-Double” route exists, the appropriate turning path
shall be employed.

4.5.9 COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL PARKING AND ACCESS

Access to commercial and industrial parking areas shall comply with Australian Standards AS
2890, catering for the design vehicle appropriate for the development.

4.5.10 SAFETY AUDIT

A Road Safety assessment, where required by Council, shall be conducted in accordance with
the RTA Road Safety Audit process.

Page 41 Manual Of Engineering Standards - 2004 Chapter 4 – Road Design