In 1985, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) designated 13 criteria as controlling criteria in the design standards for highways, streets and the interstate system.
Based on research and FHWA experience, several have been removed under the new policy. The FHWA has now proposed to eliminate three criteria, rename others, and focus the application of most criteria on high-speed roadways, which those roads with a design speed ≥50 mph.
The 10 controlling criteria proposed for design of projects on the National Highway System (NHS) were: Design Speed, Lane Width, Shoulder Width, Horizontal Curve Radius, Superelevation, Stopping Sight Distance, Maximum Grade, Cross Slope, Vertical Clearance, and Design Loading Structural Capacity. The FHWA proposed that all 10 controlling criteria would apply to high-speed roadways on the NHS, and that only two, Design Speed and Design Loading Structural Capacity, would apply on low-speed roadways.
The FHWA is also issuing guidance to clarify when design exceptions are needed and the documentation that is expected to support such requests.
The revisions to current federal policy are intended to reduce costs and speed up the design of roads and streets located in smaller towns and cities.
The aim is to allow state and local engineers to develop flexible design solutions that meet local travel needs and goals.
