The Road and Transportation Research Association (FGSV) has translated the Guidelines for the Design of Motorways (Richtlinien für die Anlage von Autobahnen, RAA). The Guidelines are concerned with motorway design. As defined by the RAA, a motorway is a dual-carriageway, multi-lane, fully grade-separated road with no access to adjacent land. The term 'motorway' also covers motorway-like roads and urban motorways. These regulations apply to such roads regardless of signing in accordance with the German Road Traffic Regulations (Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung, StVO) and the road's dedication in accordance with road law. The proven German guidelines RAA, introduced by the General Circular 7/2009 of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development (BMVBS), contain planning principles (methods, design elements, and equipment characteristics) for the construction of new motorways and for the reconstruction and improvement of existing motorways (e.g. the widening of the cross-section, re-alignment, redesign of junctions). The RAA form the basis for the design of reliable serviceable motorways that meet functional requirements. The design principles contained in the RAA are based on the function of the network, which is indicated by the road category as defined in the Guidelines for Integrated Network Design (Richtlinien für integrierte Netzgestaltung, RIN). The aim is to establish uniform standards for motorways of the same type. The guidelines can be applied by all who look for an English translation of motorway guide-lines and participate in the following planning stages: preliminary planning, design planning, approval planning, and planning the execution of works.
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