Design standards, as used in highway engineering, are degrees or levels of highway plans. Design standards were discussed in this report in relation to the corridor system, a proposed network of seven four-lane traffic corridors. (See report number 51, page 61, for background on the system.) Because of funding difficulties, lower design standards on the system had been proposed in order to stretch dollars.
After an overall review of cost estimates and proposed changes in design standards, the Committee concluded that the new roads, if built to scaled down designs, would be inadequate within ten to twelve years after completion. It appeared that cost reduction for roadway and bridge design would not yield a real savings.
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