Chapter 2 - Design Policies and Standards

2.1. General Design Policy Information

2.1.1. Sources of Design Policies and Procedures

With the exception of projects described in Chapter 11 of this manual, at a minimum, projects shall meet all American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) guidelines and requirements. The design guidelines set forth in the AASHTO publication, A policy on the Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (Green Book), are accepted by GDOT as the basic design criteria for the state highway system.  The GDOT Design Policy Manual provides more specific, and in some cases, more selective guidance for the design of roads on the state highway system.

For additional design guidance and criteria, refer to the most current edition of the following publications, unless a specific version is noted.  These publications, including the website addresses (url) for resources available online, are cited in the References section of this Manual:

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

• A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (Green Book)
• A Policy on Design Standards---Interstate System
• Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities
• Guide for High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Facilities
• Guide for Park-and-Ride Facilities
• Guide Specifications for Horizontally Curved Steel Girder Highway Bridges
• Guidelines for Geometric Design of Very Low-Volume Local Roads (ADT ≤ 400)
• Highway-Rail Crossing Elimination and Consolidation
• Roadside Design Guide
• Roadway Lighting Design Guide
• Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges

American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association (AREMA)

• Manual for Railway Engineering

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Transportation Enhancements (TE)
• Flexibility in Highway Design
• Guidance on Traffic Control Devices at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings
• Highway-Railroad Grade Crossings: A Guide to Consolidation and Closure
• Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
• Roundabouts: An Informational Guide FHWA-RD-00-67
• Value Engineering and The Federal Highway Administration (Website)
• Roadway Lighting Handbook

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)

• Bridge and Structures Policy Manual
• Environment Procedures Manual
• Manual on Drainage Design for Highways
• Construction Standards and Details
• Context Sensitive Design Online Manual
• Pavement Design Manual
• Pedestrian and Streetscape Guide
• Plan Development Process (PDP)
• Plan Presentation Guide
• Regulations for Driveway and Encroachment Control
• Standard Specification Book
• Traffic Analysis and Design Manual
• Traffic Signal Design Guidelines
• Utility Accommodation Policy and Standards Manual

Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC)

• Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia

Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA)

• Guideline for Security Lighting for People, Property and Public Spaces
• Lighting Handbook, 9th Edition
• Lighting For Parking Facilities
• Recommended Lighting for Walkways
• Recommended Lighting for Walkways and Class 1 Bikeways
• Roadway Lighting ANSI Approved
• Roadway Sign Lighting
• Tunnel Lighting

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

• Manual of Uniform Transportation Engineering Studies
• Trip Generation Handbook

National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP)

• Modern Roundabout Practices [Synthesis 264]
• Design Speed, Operating Speed, and Posted Speed Practices [NCHRP Report 504]
• Evaluating Intersection Improvements: An Engineering Study Guide [NCHRP Report 457]
• Impacts of Access Management Techniques [NCHRP Project 3-52]
• Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features [Report 350]

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

• National Electrical Code [NFPA-70]

Texas Transportation Institute (TTI)

• Grade Separations - When Do We Separate?  Highway-Rail Crossing Conference

Transportation Research Board (TRB)

• Highway Capacity Manual