DPWH Revised Turnout Design Guidelines

The Order implements DPWH’s continuing process of upgrading road safety standards.
The Order revises the design and location of turnouts (loading and unloading bays) along national roads.

The Order governs the design and location of turnouts (loading and unloading bays) along national roads.
The turnout must be designed and located as a traffic-safety facility that accommodates the maximum number of vehicles expected to occupy the space at one time.
The Order applies to turnout siting relative to road geometry, sight distance limitations, intersections, and pedestrian concentrations.

Turnouts must be placed outside the carriageway of national roads.
Turnouts must be sufficiently long to accommodate the maximum number of vehicles expected to occupy the space at one time.
The desirable minimum turnout length including transition taper is 60.0 meters, but the turnout length must not be longer than 185.0 meters to avoid its use as a passing lane.
The required length of the turnout must be determined by using 15.0 meters for each bus.
Turnouts must have a minimum width of 3.60 meters to accommodate all types of vehicle.
Turnouts must not be placed on or adjacent to horizontal and vertical curves that limit sight distance in either direction.

The specific turnout location must be determined considering pedestrian and roadway conditions.
Turnouts must be placed at locations/poblacions where pedestrians are normally concentrated.
A turnout may be placed at least 50.0 meters after a road intersection.
The minimum distance between two consecutive turnouts in one direction must not be less than:
- 500.0 meters in cities/urban centers; and
- 1.0 kilometer in other areas.
Turnouts must not be placed opposite each other; they must be placed not less than 30.0 meters apart.

The pavement type of the turnout must be the same as the existing pavement of the carriageway.
The pavement thickness of the turnout must be in no case less than:
- 100 mm for asphalt, and
- 230 mm for concrete with supporting base layers.

A pedestrian sidewalk or platform must be provided alongside the turnout.
The pedestrian sidewalk or platform must have a minimum width of 2.0 meters.
The pedestrian sidewalk or platform must not be lower than the existing sidewalk.

In areas involving high embankment or excavation, coco fiber or geotextile net must be used for slope protection.
Drainage facilities must be provided within the turnout for adequate drainage of surface run-off, including curb and gutter, inlets, and storm sewer.
The cross slope of the turnout must be 0.50% steeper than the cross slope of the adjacent lane of the existing carriageway.
The gutter alongside the turnout must have the same slope as the existing carriageway.
Where the carriageway has existing storm sewer, the turnout must include:
- inlets spaced at 20.0 meters; and
- connecting pipes to the existing sewer.
On level carriageways with no existing storm sewer, the gutter alongside the turnout must be sloped to 0.30%.

Adequate signages and pavement markings must be installed to maximize usage and ensure safe operation.

DPWH Department Order No. 58, s. 2010 supersedes DPWH Department Order No. 44, Series of 2010.
The Order takes effect immediately.