Highway Engineering Practice Test: Highway Drainage — Flashcards

Highway Drainage topics include: Highway drainage system objects, importance and requirements of highway drainage, surface drainage system for roads, hydrologic analysis, hydraulic design and sub surface drainage.

Highway drainage is the process of removing or controlling water from the road surface and the subgrade supporting it. 

The main purpose of highway drainage is to:
Remove rainwater from the carriageway as quickly as possible
Prevent water from entering the pavement
Pass water across the road, either under or over
Prevent scour and/or washout of the pavement, shoulder, batter slopes, water courses and drainage structures 

Highway drainage is necessary to prevent flooding, ice in the winter, and maintenance problems. Standing water can soften the ground under a road making the road surface break up. 
Highway drainage systems often consist of: Curbs and curb inlets, Gutters, Culverts, Catch basins, Drop inlets. 
Drainage structures drain into ditches and underground structures, transferring to creeks and rivers. 

Some common types of road drainage systems include:
Surface drainage
Sub-surface drainage
Catch water drains
Side gutters