---
title: "Definition of highway alignment"
subject: "Transportation Engineering I"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_6/transportation_engineering_i:define-alignment"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/transportation_engineering_i/define-alignment
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Definition of highway alignment

Transportation Engineering I · Chapter 2: Highway Alignment and Engineering Survey

- Asked in: 2079 Ashwin, 2 marks; 2073 Magh; 2070 Magh; 2064 Shrawan (old course) (asked 4 times)
- Video: [Highway Alignment | Highway Alignment design | Highway Alignment in hindi](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIWqqTGqy_Y) — Engineer's Coach
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/transportation_engineering_i/define-alignment
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/transportation_engineering_i/chapter-2

## Question

What is highway alignment? Define highway alignment.

## Short answer

Highway alignment is the position of the road's centre line on the ground, comprising horizontal alignment (straights and curves in plan) and vertical alignment (grades and vertical curves in profile). A good alignment is short, safe, and economical.

## Answer

**Highway alignment** is the position or layout of the centre line of the highway on the ground. It has two parts: the **horizontal alignment** (straights, curves, as seen in plan) and the **vertical alignment** (gradients and vertical curves, as seen in profile). A good alignment is short, easy, safe and economical.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Highway alignment is best defined as:
   A. The width of the carriageway
   B. The position or layout of the centre line of the highway on the ground
   C. The thickness of pavement layers
   D. The traffic volume on the road
   Answer: B. Alignment is the layout of the highway centre line on the ground. (Key point: Definition)

2. Which pair makes up highway alignment?
   A. Camber and superelevation
   B. Plan and cost
   C. Horizontal alignment (plan) and vertical alignment (profile)
   D. Subgrade and pavement
   Answer: C. Horizontal alignment covers straights and curves in plan; vertical alignment covers gradients and vertical curves in profile. (Key point: Parts of alignment)

3. A good alignment should be:
   A. Short, easy, safe and economical
   B. Long and scenic
   C. Cheapest regardless of safety
   D. Steep to save length
   Answer: A. The four qualities of a good alignment are short, easy, safe and economical. (Key point: Good alignment)

## Related in Transportation Engineering I

- [Requirements of ideal highway alignment](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Ftransportation_engineering_i%3Aalignment-requirements) — Transportation Engineering I, chapter 2, asked 12×
- [Factors controlling highway alignment](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Ftransportation_engineering_i%3Aalignment-factors) — Transportation Engineering I, chapter 2, asked 12×
- [Stages of engineering survey for alignment](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Ftransportation_engineering_i%3Asurvey-stages) — Transportation Engineering I, chapter 2, asked 7×
- [Region, band, corridor, alignment in map study](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Ftransportation_engineering_i%3Amap-study-terms) — Transportation Engineering I, chapter 2
- [Transition curve: definition and need](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Ftransportation_engineering_i%3Atc-objectives) — Transportation Engineering I, chapter 3, asked 6×