Example – Geometric design of highways

1. Compute the minimum radius of a circular curve for a highway designed for 110 km/h. The
maximum superelevation rate is 12%.

Solution
𝑉𝑉𝐷𝐷 2
𝑅𝑅𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 =
127(𝑒𝑒 + 𝑓𝑓)
From ERA Geometric Design Manual
Friction coefficient for 100 km/hr --- 0.12
Friction coefficient for 120 km/hr --- 0.10

Using interpolation
Friction coefficient for 110 km/hr --- 0.11
1102
𝑅𝑅𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = = 414.24 𝑚𝑚 ~ 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 𝑚𝑚
127(0.12 + 0.11)

2. A two-lane highway (one 3.6 m lane in each direction) goes from normal crown with 2%
cross-slopes to 10% superelevation by means of a spiral transition curve. Determine the
minimum length of the transition if the difference in grade between the centerline and edge
of traveled way is limited to 1/200. Round up to the next largest 20 m interval.
Draw the superelevation diagram for the transition described in part a. The station of the TS
is 160 + 00.

Solution

80
Criteria A: Satisfactory rate of change of acceleration α= , V is not given
75+𝑉𝑉
3
𝑉𝑉
𝐿𝐿 =
𝛼𝛼𝛼𝛼
Criteria B: Superelevation
Raising of pavement due to superelevation = 7.2x0.1 = 0.72 m
Assuming rotation of super elevation about the center, raising of the outer edge = 0.72/2 =
0.36 m
The length of the transition = 0.36x200 = 72 m, rounding the next 20 m interval
L = 80 m

3. Compute the minimum length of vertical curve that will provide 190 m stopping sight
distance for a design speed of 100 km/h at the intersection of a +2.60% grade and a -2.40%
grade.

Solution
The height of the driver eye = h1 = 1.07 m
The height of the object for sight distance = h2 = 0.15 m, for passing sight distance h2 = 1.3
m
 Example – Geometric design of highways
200(√𝐻𝐻1+√𝐻𝐻2)2 200(√1.07+√0.15)2
Assume S>L , 𝐿𝐿𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = 2𝑆𝑆 − = 2𝑥𝑥190 − = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐. 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝒎𝒎 ---- this
𝐴𝐴 2.6−(−2.4)
implies the assumption is wrong

𝐴𝐴𝑆𝑆 2 5𝑥𝑥190 2
Calculate Lmin for S < L , 𝐿𝐿𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = = = 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒. 𝟓𝟓 𝒎𝒎
200(√𝐻𝐻1+√𝐻𝐻2)2 404.25
4. Compute the minimum length of vertical curve that will provide 220 m stopping sight
distance for a design speed of 110 km/h at the intersection of a -3.50% grade and a +2.70%
grade.

Solution
The height of the head light above the ground = H = 0.75 m
The angle of the head light from the horizontal = β = 1°
200(𝐻𝐻+𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 ) 200(0.75+220𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 1)
Assume S>L , 𝐿𝐿𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = 2𝑆𝑆 − = 2𝑥𝑥220 − = 291.93m---- this
𝐴𝐴 3.5+2.7
implies the assumption is wrong

𝐴𝐴𝑆𝑆 2 6.2𝑥𝑥220 2
Calculate Lmin for S < L , 𝐿𝐿𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = = = 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑. 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖 𝒎𝒎
200(𝐻𝐻+𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 ) 200(0.75+220𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 1)

5. A 2-lane 7.3 m wide single carriageway road has a curve radius of 600m with deflection
angle of 60°. The minimum sight stopping distance required is 160m. Calculate the required
distance to be kept clear of obstructions in meters.

Solution
Length of the curve = πR∆/180 = 628.32 m
Lane width = p = 7.3/2 = 3.65 m
When S<L
𝒑𝒑 ∆ 𝟑𝟑. 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔
𝒎𝒎 = 𝑹𝑹 − �𝑹𝑹 − � 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 = 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔 − �𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔 − � 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 = 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖. 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗 𝒎𝒎
𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐
𝒑𝒑 ∆ (𝑺𝑺−𝑳𝑳) ∆
When S > L, use 𝒎𝒎 = 𝑹𝑹 − �𝑹𝑹 − � 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 + 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔
𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐

6. Given the profile below, determine:

a) The length of vertical curve needed to make the highest point on the vertical curve
come out exactly over the centerline of the cross road at station 150 + 70.
b) The vertical clearance between the profile grade on the vertical curve and the centerline
of the cross road.

St. 150 + 00
P.V.I. Elv. 48.00
●
● -3.0%
+6.0% ● Elv. 37.50
Crossroad

Figure 1. Profile view

 Example – Geometric design of highways

7. A vertical curve joins a -0.5% grade to a +1.0% grade. The P.I. of the vertical curve is at
station 200 + 00 and elevation 150.00 m above sea level. The centerline of the roadway
must clear a pipe located at station 200 + 70 by 0.75 m. The elevation of the top of the pipe
is 150.40 m above sea level. What is the minimum length of vertical curve that can be used?

8. An existing tunnel needs to be connected to a newly constructed bridge with sag and crest
vertical curves. The profile view of the tunnel and bridge is shown in Fig 2. Develop a
vertical alignment to connect the tunnel and bridge by determining the highest possible
common design speed for the sag and crest vertical curves needed. Compute the stationing
and elevations of PVC, PVI, and PVT curve points.

Station 0+310 m,
PVTc

Bridge Deck Elv. =42

m

Tunnel Floor Elevation =30 m

Station 0+000,
PVCs

9. Consider the conditions described in Exercise 13. Suppose a design speed of only 60 km/h is
needed. Determine the lengths of curves required to connect the bridge and tunnel while
keeping the connecting grade as small as possible.

10. A two-lane highway (each 3.6 m lanes) has a posted speed limit of 80 km/h and, on one
section has both horizontal and vertical curves, as shown in the Figure below. A recent
daytime crash (driver traveling eastbound and striking a stationary roadway object) resulted
in a fatality and a lawsuit alleging that the 80 km/h posted speed limit is an unsafe speed for
the curves in question and was a major cause of the crash. Evaluate and comment on the
roadway design.
 Example – Geometric design of highways

PC, 4+160
●
N
6m e=8.0%

Sight obstruction ● PT, 4+600

∆=80o

G1=-2.0% G2=+4.0%

PVC, 4+140 PVT, 4+290

● ●
●
PVI, 4+215

BOTH ENDS OF THE VERTICAL CURVE LIE ON THE HORIZONTAL CURVE

If both ends of a crest curve lie on a sharp horizontal curve, the radius of the horizontal curve
may appear to the driver to decrease abruptly over the length of the crest curve. If the vertical
curve is a sag curve, the radius of the horizontal curve may appear to increase. An example of
such a visual defect is shown in Figure e. The corrective action is to make both ends of the
curves coincident as in Figure a, or to separate them.