ABSTRACT

In order to develop road infrastructure geospatial data is needed. This is imperative for planning purpose by the government and the construction industry. The intent of this project is to determine the application of Total station in highway route survey, and geometric design using BIU road as a case study. In order to acquire the needed geospatial data, route survey was carried out. The route survey phases include; reconnaissance survey (office and field reconnaissance), instrument and control check, field data acquisition. The geometric design phases include: creating the road alignment and plotting the road profile using coordinates (bearing), stations and elevations; calculation of sight distances, radii of horizontal curves, and lengths of vertical curves; computation of earthwork quantities, and carrying out other analysis and calculations that satisfies the design standards and constraint, and thereby meeting the requirement of drivers and vehicle such as safety, comfort, and efficiency.

 Using Nigerian FMW standard, the minimum radius is 85m using design speed of 60km/hr. However, our proposed radius of horizontal curve design is 90m and this is greater than the minimum radius. Radius lower than 90m was used at some point while considering the available Right-of-Way befitting the road type and to reduce the incidence of compensation due to the property lines of the residents along the stretch of the road. According to Nigerian FMW standard, the minimum SSD is 85m, however the designed SSD is 290m. Low value gradient was called to mind, and this will provide the driver with sufficient and gentle slope for safer driving scenarios.

The Total station derived coordinates, were used to develop 3D database for the road infrastructure design. The use of Total station for data acquisition made the survey work easier, possibly to truncate the time for the field survey and to eradicate manual errors (reading and recording of coordinates, e.t.c.). The use of civil 3D software helps to carry out the complete design process in a relaxed and comfortable way with lot of time and effort preserved.