American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a focus of road design?

1. Street nature and characteristics

2. Design guidelines for local streets

3. Environmental assessments of road impact

4. Infrastructure capacity studies

The correct answer is: Environmental assessments of road impact

Road design primarily encompasses the physical and practical aspects of creating streets and highways, including their alignment, materials, and accessibility. The focus of road design usually relates to how streets function and cater to the needs of users, including elements such as street nature and characteristics, guidelines for local streets, and infrastructure capacity studies. Street nature and characteristics deal with the aesthetic and functional qualities of a road, while design guidelines ensure that local streets meet specific needs and standards. Infrastructure capacity studies assess whether roads can handle anticipated traffic volumes, which is essential for ensuring safety and efficiency. In contrast, while environmental assessments of road impact are crucial for understanding the broader effects of road construction and use on the surrounding environment, they fall outside the specific focus of road design. These assessments are more related to regulatory compliance and environmental planning rather than the technical design of the roadway itself. Thus, this makes environmental assessments of road impact less about the physical design elements and more about the evaluation of potential effects and mitigation measures, distinguishing it from the core focuses of road design.