The Brazilian highway sector should undergo profound changes in its structure at the start of this new century. These changes aim to respond to the needs of the new economic order existing in the country and in the world.
Road transport contributes significantly to Brazilian transportation as a whole (rail, air, river and maritime), and any improvement in this system will impact the costs of the production system.
Thus, the technological modernization of the highway system is essential to create technological and managerial support for the Brazilian highway model of the next century.
There has been great technological progress in the field of highway engineering, especially with regard to testing and materials used, pavement design methods, geometric design graphic methods, intelligent transportation systems, and methods and techniques for preparing and presenting projects, among others of lesser relevance.
Companies and professionals in this segment must always be up to date with current demand levels so that products and users are transported safely, efficiently and at the lowest possible cost.
Knowledge of highway cost concepts and practices, paving materials, soil laboratory testing, road planning and design, computer-assisted geometric design, pavement mechanics, road capacity analysis, safety, intelligent systems and the environment are essential for developing activities in Highway Engineering.
Executive Design
An Executive Engineering Design for a highway is the set of Studies and Designs that define and detail the types, quantities and costs of all services that need to be carried out for the implementation of the road and its release for traffic. Its preparation follows recommendations contained in Standards and Specifications from highway agencies, but the quality of the final product depends predominantly on the experience of the technical team involved in each stage of the service.
Initially, Studies are carried out to provide support for the preparation of the Designs, and are basically the following:
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Feasibility Studies
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Traffic Studies
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Hydrological Studies
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Geological Studies
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Geotechnical Studies
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Topographic Studies
The Designs are prepared based on the recommendations and data obtained during the Studies phase, and are generally as follows:
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Geometric Design
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Earthworks Design
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Paving and/or Restoration Design
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Drainage Design
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Intersection and/or Urban Crossing Design
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Special Engineering Structures Design (Bridges, Viaducts and Footbridges)
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Complementary Works Design
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Signage Design
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Landscaping/Environmental Design
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Interference Design with Public Utility Networks
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Highway Operation Design