Geometric Design And Paving Proposal To Improve Road Accessibility From Southwestern Portoviejo

Abstract

Road accessibility to the city of Portoviejo has represented a constant challenge in recent years for both urban and rural planning, with traffic congestion and limited access to strategic infrastructures being among its main issues. In order to propose an alternative that relieves the existing network, this study suggests a new alignment in the southwestern area, connecting with the E482 road in La Pila, part of the Montecristi canton. The methodology included the topographic characterization of the corridor through digital elevation models (ALOS PALSAR), the design of horizontal and vertical alignments using AutoCAD Civil 3D under the criteria of AASHTO 2011 and NEVI-12 standards, as well as a 15-year traffic projection and the estimation of equivalent single axle loads (ESALs) for the asphalt pavement design, following the AASHTO 1993 methodology. Soil studies revealed that the subgrade exhibits low bearing capacity (CBR ≈ 2.40%), which requires a structural package consisting of a 15 cm asphalt layer, a 15 cm granular base, and a 33 cm granular subbase. The proposal represents a viable alternative to improve road accessibility in the southwestern sector of Portoviejo, reducing travel times and strengthening territorial connectivity, with a positive impact on public safety, emergency response, and regional development.