49106 Road Engineering Practice
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 120 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Honours Embedded Degree owned by FEIT OR 120 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Honours Embedded Degree owned by FEIT OR 120 credit points of completed study in Bachelor's Honours Embedded Degree co-owned by FEIT
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
The aim of this subject is to equip students with the ability to design, construct and maintain roads in accordance with current professional practice in NSW. This includes pavement design, as well as the geometric design of roads. The subject embraces the standards adopted by the Transport for NSW, AUSTROADS and the Australian Road Research Board. Particular attention is paid to the requirements of the residential street network. Students also develop an understanding of current issues in road engineering, particularly quality assurance contracts, road safety needs of pedestrians and cyclists, and the use of innovative techniques in road construction and maintenance.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Explain legislative requirements and procedures governing road construction and maintenance. (D.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Design road infrastructure compliant with the relevant NSW road engineering standards. (C.1) |
| 3. | Calculate the performance indicators for road network management. (C.1) |
| 4. | Reflect on your own learning of the geometric and structural design of roads that examine solutions for prescriptive and performance-based requirements as per road engineering standards. (F.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
- Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their own and others' performance with a high level of responsibility to improve and practice competently for the benefit of professional practice and society. (F.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:
- 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
- 2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 3.5. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject will be delivered using a variety of online learning activities. Microsoft Teams will be the primary online platform used for discussion of content amongst students and teaching staff. Students can ask questions related to teaching material, post ideas and reflect on the current state of road design and engineering practice.
The subject is taught in Block Mode whereby the student is expected to attend all four (4) blocks of two half (½) days each. There are approximately 2-3 weeks between blocks. The teaching staff will present workshops and work through examples and “case studies” with the class during these sessions (blocks). In addition to the time spent on assessment tasks, students are expected to undertake study outside the classroom, which must be at least the equivalent in hours to those spent in the classroom.
Recorded subject material and practice exercises will be made available on Canvas and it is expected that the material is studied prior to classes so that students can engage effectively and interactively during class sessions. During the workshop sessions, students will have further opportunities to ask questions related to theoretical content, real world examples and assessment tasks in the subject. Group discussion and problem-solving activities will be adopted in these sessions and teaching staff will provide real-time feedback on students’ understanding.
Assessments are formative in nature and will involve preparing two reports that inform the last assessment task, which is a reflective presentation. Real-time feedback will be provided to students in the workshop sessions via participation in reviews and discussion.
Content (topics)
- Geometric design of urban and rural roads;
- Road pavement design;
- Roads and Maritime Services, N.S.W. standards;
- AUSTROADS standards;
- Australian Road Research Board standards;
- Residential street network requirements;
- Current road engineering construction methods;
- Road projects (design examples and Case studies)
- Pavement maintenance and management
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Online Quizzes
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students apply theoretical and practical concepts relating to geometric and structural design of roads, including drainage and pavement management. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | Students will be given 24 hours to submit their worked solutions to Canvas after the availability of each online quiz is announced. |
Assessment task 2: Report 1 - Geometric Design of Roads
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students strengthen their geometric design skills, determine horizontal and vertical highway alignment and apply problem solving techniques to determine a workable design for a proposed rural or urban road. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | No more than 15 pages in length |
Assessment task 3: Report 2 - Structural Design of Roads
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students strengthen their structural design skills, evaluate traffic loading as well as pavement drainage and management to design a sustainable pavement section for either a rural or urban zone. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | No more than 15 pages in length. |
Assessment task 4: Reflective Presentation
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students will apply theoretical and practical concepts relating to geometric and structural design of roads. Students reflect on their learning of design practices being adopted in Australia and/or overseas. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | The total length of the video recording should not exceed 5 minutes |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
There is no recommended or required text. Instead printed notes will be made available for selected lectures. A copy of the Subject Outline will be made available on the Canvas site for this subject.
Other resources
Australian Road Research Board, Structural Design Guide for Residential Streets, Vermont South, Victoria, 1989.
AUSTROADS, Guide to Road Design Part 3: Geometric Design, Sydney, 2016.
AUSTROADS, Guide to Pavement Technology Part 2: Pavement Structural Design, Sydney, 2019.
AUSTROADS, Guide to Traffic Engineering Practice - Parts 1, 2, 5, 8, 9 and 10, Sydney, 2009.
Lay, M.G, Handbook of Road Technology, 2nd Edition, Gordon and Breach, New York, 1990.
Underwood, R, Geometric Design of Roads, Macmillan, Melbourne, 1991.