Plans Preparation Manual (PPM)

Plans Preparation Manual - U.S. Customary Units (English)

The Plans Preparation Manual (PPM) establishes uniform standards and procedures to be used when preparing right of way maps, preliminary exhibits, and the development of project plans. The PPM states and illustrates how Caltrans presents a project for bidding and construction. The PPM text portion describes what should be contained on each type of project plan sheet and explains the how and why of presenting this information.

The PPM Examples illustrate the design presentation standards on each type of project plan sheet and contain valuable informational/explanatory notes.

This manual and examples are only available on the Caltrans internet website and will be incrementally updated by section as needed to reflect current design presentation standards for all advertised projects on the State Highway System (SHS). Future updates to any section will supersede any section with an earlier date. All previous changes to the PPM are summarized in the PPM Errata.

MicroStation Is the Standard Drafting Software at Caltrans

The following 2014 Caltrans Memorandum mandates the use of MicroStation as the Caltrans standard drafting software:

• Caltrans Memorandum, 09/19/2014 (PDF)
• Memorandum Attachments:
  • CADD Users Manual, Section 3.8: Master Files (PDF)
  • CADD Users Manual, Section 4.1: For PS&E Submittal (PDF)
  • CADD Users Manual, Section 4.3: As-Built Plans (PDF)

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  Click Below to View the Plans Preparation Manual's Chapters & Examples

  • 1-1.1 Purpose
  • 1-1.2 Application of Plan Preparation Standards
  • 1-1.3 General Drawing Criteria
  • 1-1.4 Preparing Drawings
  • 1-1.5 Types of Engineering Drawings
  • 1-1.6 Use of Computer Aided Drafting and Design
  • 1-1.7 Electronic Data and Project Delivery Process
  • 1-1.8 Content and Development of Electronic Files
  • 2-1.0 Application of Plan Preparation Standards
  • 2-1.1 Composition of Project Plans and General Preparation Procedures
    • Right of Way
    • Railroad Involvement
    • 2-2.1 Introduction (PDF)
    • 2-2.2 Title Sheets (PDF)
    • 2-2.3 Typical Cross Sections (PDF)
      • Checklist for Typical Cross Sections
      • 2-2.4 Project Orientation (PDF)
        • Key Map and Line Index
        • Aerial Identification
        • Project Control
        • Monumentation
        • 2-2.5 Layouts, Profiles and Superelevation Diagrams
          • Checklist for Layout Sheet
          • Checklist for Profile
          • Checklist for Superelevation Diagram
          • 2-2.6 Construction Details (PDF)
          • 2-2.7 Temporary Water Pollution Control (PDF)
          • 2-2.8 Erosion Control (PDF)
          • 2-2.9 Contour Grading Plans (PDF)
          • 2-2.10 Drainage Plans, Details, Profiles and Quantities(PDF)
            • Checklist for Drainage Plan Sheets
            • Checklist for Drainage Profile Sheets
            • 2-2.11 Subsurface Drains (PDF)
              • Edge Drains
              • Underdrains
              • Horizontal Drains
              • 2-2.12 Sanitary Sewer Plans, Profiles, Details, and Quantities(PDF)
              • 2-2.13 Utility Facilities (PDF)
                • Checklist for Utility Plan Sheets
                • 2-2.14 Construction Area Signs (PDF)
                • 2-2.15 Motorist Information Plans, Details, and Quantities (PDF)
                • 2-2.16 Stage Construction, Traffic Handling, and Detour Construction Plans, Details and Quantities (PDF)
                • 2-2.17 Pavement Delineation Plans, Details, and Quantities (PDF)
                • 2-2.18 Sign Plans, Details, and Quantities (PDF)
                • 2-2.19 Summary of Quantities (PDF)
                • 2-2.20 Retaining Wall Plans, Profiles, Details, and Quantities (PDF)
                • 2-2.21 Sound Wall Plans, Profiles, Details, and Quantities (PDF)
                • 2-2.22 Landscape, Irrigation, and Planting Plans, Details, and Quantities (PDF)
                  • Checklist for Plan Sheets
                  • Checklist for Irrigation Plan
                  • Checklist for Planting Plan
                  • Checklist for Irrigation Sprinkler Schedule
                  • Checklist for Plant Legend
                  • Checklist for Quantity Sheet
                  • 2-2.23 Electrical Systems (PDF)
                    • Checklist for Electrical Plan View Sheets
                    • Checklist for Electrical Detail Plan Sheets
                    • Checklist for Electrical Quantity Sheets
                    • 2-2.24 Structure Design (PDF)
                    • 2-3.1 Draft Contract Ready
                    • 2-3.2 Project Ready-to-List (RTL) Certification
                    • 2-3.3 As-Awarded
                    • 2-3.4 Contract Change Order
                    • 2-3.5 As-Builts (Roadway Plans)
                    • 2-3.6 As-Builts (Structure Plans)
                    • 2-3.7 Projects Not on State Highway

                    Section 3-1: Introduction (PDF)

                    • 3-1.1 General
                    • 3-1.2 Maps
                    • 3-1.3 Photogrammetric Maps

                    Section 3-2: Maps and Exhibits - Specific Data (PDF)

                    • 3-2.1 General
                    • 3-2.2 Strip Map
                    • 3-2.3 Route Adoption Map
                    • 3-2.4 Freeway/Controlled Access Highway Agreement Exhibit
                    • 3-2.5 New Public Road Connection Location Map
                    • 3-2.6 PUC Exhibits
                    • Section 4-1: General (PDF)
                    • Section 4-2: Cost Estimate Mapping (PDF)
                    • Section 4-3: Right of Way Hardship Map (PDF)
                    • Section 4-4: Right of Way Protection Map (PDF)
                    • Section 4-5: Right of Way Appraisal Map (PDF)
                    • Section 4-6: Federal Lands Application Map (PDF)
                    • Section 4-7: Map Application for State Sovereign Lands (PDF)
                    • Section 4-8: Resolution of Necessity Map (PDF)
                    • Section 4-9: Court Exhibit Map (PDF)
                    • Section 4-10: Director's Deed Maps (PDF)
                    • Section 4-11: Transfer of Jurisdiction Map (PDF)
                    • Section 4-12: Right of Way Record Map (PDF)
                    • Section 4-13: Relinquishment Maps (PDF)
                    • Section 4-14: Vacation Map (PDF)
                    • Section 4-15: Freeway Lease Area Map (PDF)
                    • Section 4-16: Right of Way Map Files (PDF)

                    Appendix: