The Highway Engineering Handbook has been developed by knowledgeable engineers to serve as a
comprehensive reference source for those involved in highway design. This handbook is broad in scope,
presenting information on topics ranging from environmental issues to value engineering, from the design of
culverts, lighting, and noise walls to the design of safety systems, retaining walls, and bridges. In addition,
such fundamental subjects as location and pavement design are fully discussed.
This volume should be useful to a wide range of personnel involved in highway design and construction,
including consulting engineers; engineers employed by departments of transportation in federal, state, and
local governments; those involved with turnpike authorities; and engineering educators. Both experienced
practitioners and serious students will find the information presented here useful and easy to apply. It should
enable the engineer to create a design that fulfills the requirements of the highway user: a safe, smooth,
durable, aesthetically pleasing, environmentally sensitive, and economical highway system.
Contributors to this handbook are experienced highway engineers, consultants, or educators. They are
leading authorities in their subject areas. The guiding principle of this book is to present practical information
that has direct application to situations encountered in the field. Efforts were made to coordinate the
information with that of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
Metric units are used where feasible to ease the transition to that system.