Road aesthetic adaptation to its surroundings

Author(s)
Kollaros George, Democritus University of Thrace, Department of Civil Engineering, Xanthi, Greece
Athanasopoulou Antonia, Democritus University of Thrace, Department of Civil Engineering, Xanthi, Greece

Abstract
The position of a roadway in space is univocally defined by its horizontal and vertical alignment. Visual faults, arising as a result of unsuccessful combination of horizontal and vertical road alignment, affect the perspective of a road and control the drivers’ capability to estimate the speed they could achieve, the provided oversight, and the drivers’ deduction of their route. The picture of the driver’s position in space could help to construct an aesthetically good road, which will pleasantly affect people circulating on it or observing the landscape on which the road is weaving. Aesthetic issues of a road (planting, retaining walls construction, form of noise walls and bridges) are discussed in connection to measures to be taken by engineers and architects. Comments concerning the proper combination of horizontal and vertical road alignment are made aiming the aesthetically pleasant, adapted in the environment, relaxed during driving and safe road alignment. Actions and measures for the vegetated areas around the roadway are proposed bearing in mind aesthetics.

Keywords
road design, visual impacts, aesthetics, alignment in space, adaptation

Cite this paper
Kollaros George, Athanasopoulou Antonia, Road aesthetic adaptation to its surroundings, SCIREA Journal of Traffic and Transportation. Vol. 1 , No. 1 , 2016 , pp. 32 - 42 .

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