T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d

www.usq.edu.au

CROSS SECTIONS

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What is a Cross Section

A cross section is a vertical plane

(slice) taken at right angles to the road
control line showing the various
elements that make up the roads
structure.
It is normally viewed in the direction of
increasing chainage.

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Typical Cross Section

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Elements of Cross Section

Road Reserve
Formation
Carriageway
Pavement
Traffic Lane
Batters
Batter Benches
Catch Drains
Verge
Table Drain
Shoulder

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Elements of Cross Section

Road Reserve is that parcel of land dedicated
or gazetted to the road range from 14m wide
suburban to up to 200m or more in rural areas
(stock routes the long paddock

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Elements of Cross Section

Formation road construction between the
batters
Carriageway section of formation used by traffic
and includes pavement and shoulders
Pavement that part normally used by traffic

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Elements of Cross Section

Traffic Lane that portion of pavement allocated

for a single vehicle, single directional movement.
Width depends on traffic volume, vehicle
dimensions.
Provisions made for speed and tracking on
corners.
Single lane roads > 3.5 - 4.0m
2 lane roads >3.5m
Low volume rural roads AADT <150 (mainly cars)
3.0m may be used

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Elements of Cross Section

Batters cuttings at edge of formation to meet
natural surface. Dictated by
Soil type and stability
Depth of cut/fill
Appearance
Economics
Environmental reasons

If cut/fill <1m the 6:1 grade used (16%)

If cut/fill 1-3m deep it is desirable to adopt a
uniform width batter ie variable slope. This is called
a catch line and blends batter into surrounding
terrain

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Elements of Cross Section

Batters

For depths >3m slope

dictated by material
stability and may vary
from 2:1 to 0.25:1.
In deep cuts geological
investigation required
prior to design.

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Elements of Cross Section

Batter Benches (Berms
(Berms))
On high batters >8m consider benches
reduce scouring
provide more stable batter
Reduce rock fall problems
Reduce water into table drain
Assist vegetation re-establishment
Provide maintenance access
Reduce batter maintenance
Allow steeper batter slopes
Benches should be 3-5m wide (5m for machines) and graded to
remove water away from road max crossfall 10%

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Elements of Cross Section

Shoulders area at edge of
lane, may be sealed or
unsealed.
provide structural support
for pavement
wide enough for
emergency and rest stops
clear of obstacles
reduces driver stress and
provides better sight
distance
2.5 3.0m desirable
Accidents decrease if
shoulders >1.2m and <3.0m

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Elements of Cross Section

Verge between shoulder and the drain

In urban areas it would include the kerb, nature
strip and path
If provision for guard railing 2m wide required
In cutting 2m wide desirable @ 6:1 grade for
safety
Depending on cost concrete kerb may be
required for deep cuttings
In deep cuttings with unstable material verge may
be widened to collect fallen material to keep
shoulders clear

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Elements of Cross Section

Table Drains in cuttings between verge and

batter
Invert level should be lower than pavement sub-
grade to prevent seepage of sub-soil moisture
under pavement.
Side slopes <6:1 for safety
If flat country, table drains may be source of
borrow material
Scouring occurs if too steep>5% - use grass,
concrete or rock to reduce
Silting occurs if <0.5%

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Elements of Cross Section

Catch Drain Drain at top of batter or bench in

cut situation
Usually 2m back from top of batter
Similar constraints to table drains
Usually 1-2.5m wide and 300mm deep

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Pavement and Shoulder Crossfalls

Measured normal to
centreline
Expressed as %
Shoulders should be
steeper than pavement
by up to 2%
Minimum crossfall usually
3%

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Other Cross Section Issues

Road Widening allow for in design, cheaper if one side
only

Clearance beside road depends on

road classification
volume, nature and speed
landscaping and environmental considerations
drainage requirements
access for maintenance
batters
public utilities
adjoining land use
costs