Set-back distance in highway planning In highway alignment and roadside control, the set-back distance is defined as the horizontal distance between which two reference lines?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Building line and control line

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The concept of building line, control line, and set-back distance is fundamental to highway right-of-way management. It governs where permanent structures may be built so that future widening, safety clearances, sight distance, and access control can be maintained.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Highway corridor has two regulatory lines: building line and control line.
  • Road land boundary separates right-of-way from adjacent private land.
  • Set-back distance is a planning control used by highway authorities.


Concept / Approach:
The building line is the nearest line from the roadway within which permanent buildings are not permitted. The control line is farther away, controlling certain types of development/activities. The set-back distance is the spacing between the control line and the building line, i.e., the additional margin that further regulates development.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Identify the two regulatory lines that define the prohibited and controlled zones.By definition, set-back distance = distance between the building line and the control line.Therefore, the correct pair is “building line and control line”.


Verification / Alternative check:
Highway geometric design and roadside development control manuals describe set-back as a policy spacing between the building and control lines to reserve space for future needs and to protect safety and aesthetics.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Options involving the road land boundary confuse right-of-way with development control limits; set-back is not measured from the road land boundary.



Common Pitfalls:
Mistaking right-of-way width for set-back; ignoring local by-laws which may prescribe different absolute distances but preserve the same definition.



Final Answer:
Building line and control line

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