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Road Alignment and Design Standard

Highways Engineering

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6 views

Road Alignment and Design Standard

Highways Engineering

Uploaded by

babeker omer
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Highway Engineering I

Omer Khider 2. Highway Geometric Design


Content

Factors influencing highway design Design of the alignment

Highway Functional Classification Vertical Alignment Horizontal alignment

Terrain Points to be considered

Design speed

Design Vehicle

2
Preface

Geometric design deals with the dimensioning of the elements of highways, such as vertical and
horizontal curves, cross sections, truck climbing lanes, bicycle paths, and parking facilities.
The fundamental objective of geometric design is to produce a smooth-flowing and safe highway
facility, an objective that only can be achieved by providing a consistent design standard that
satisfies the characteristics of the driver and the vehicles that use the road.
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

3
FACTORS INFLUENCING HIGHWAY DESIGN

Highway design is based on specified design standards and controls which depend on
the following roadway system factors:
• Functional classification
• Design hourly traffic volume and vehicle mix
• Design speed
• Design vehicle
• Cross section of the highway, such as lanes, shoulders, and medians
• Presence of heavy vehicles on steep grades
• Topography of the area that the highway traverses
• Level of service
• Available funds
• Safety
• Social and environmental factors

4
Highway Functional Classification

Rural Urban

• Principal arterials • Principal arterials


• Minor arterials • Minor arterials
• Major collectors • Major collectors
• Minor collectors • Minor collectors
• Local roads and streets • Local roads and streets

5
Rural Urban

6
Rural Urban

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Terrain

Topography affects horizontal alignment, but has an


even more pronounced effect on vertical alignment. LEVEL (FLAT)
1. Level Offers few obstacles to the construction of a road,
2. Rolling having continuously unrestricted horizontal and vertical
3. Mountainous alignment (transverse terrain slope up to 5 percent).

MOUNTAINOUS ROLLING
This class of terrain imposes definite restrictions on the Slopes generally rise and fall moderately and where
standard of alignment obtainable and often involves occasional steep slopes are encountered, resulting in
long steep grades and limited sight distance some restrictions in alignment (transverse terrain slope
(transverse terrain slope from 25 percent to 50 from 5 percent to 25 percent
percent).

8
Terrain

LEVEL (FLAT) MOUNTAINOUS ROLLING

9
Design Vehicle

A design vehicle is selected to represent all vehicles on the highway. Its weight, dimensions,
and operating speed

1
0
DESIGN OF THE ALIGNMENT

The alignment of a highway is composed of vertical and horizontal elements. The vertical alignment includes straight
(tangent) highway grades and the parabolic curves that connect these grades. The horizontal alignment includes the
straight (tangent) sections of the roadway and the circular curves that connect their change in direction.
The design of the alignment depends primarily on the design speed selected for the highway.
It is important that the alignment of a given section has consistent standards to avoid sudden changes in the vertical
and horizontal layout of the highway.

11
Vertical Alignment

The vertical alignment of a highway consists of straight sections known as grades, (or tangents) connected by vertical
curves. Vertical curves are used to provide a gradual change from one tangent grade to another so that vehicles may
run smoothly as they traverse the highway. The two major aspects of vertical alignment are vertical curvature, which is
governed by sight distance criteria, and gradient.

Sag Curve

Crest Curve

12
Vertical Alignment

The formulae for design of crest and sag vertical curves can be rather complex to apply, and thus the design is best
accomplished through the application of a computer program, or by use of design charts. he minimum lengths of crest
and sag curves have been designed to provide sufficient stopping sight distance. The design is based on minimum
allowable "K" values, as defined by the formula: K = L/A
K = limiting value, horizontal distance required to achieve a 1% change in grade
L = length of vertical curve (m)
A = Algebraic difference in approach and exit grades (%)
Minimum lengths of crest and sag vertical curves have been recommended based on design
speeds and stopping sight distance requirements. They provide for ride comfort, appearance,
and most importantly, safety. Minimum length L = AK
A minimum length of 200 meters is recommended.

13
Vertical Alignment

Minimum Values for Crest Vertical Curves Minimum Values for Sag Vertical Curves

14
Vertical Alignment

Minimum Length of Crest Vertical Curves Minimum Values for Sag Vertical Curves

15
HORIZONTALALIGNMENT

The design elements of the horizontal alignment are the tangent, or straight section, the
circular curve, the transition curve (spiral) and the super-elevation section.
• Tangent Sections
tangent sections may often be beneficial in flat country but are less so in rolling or mountainous terrain. From a safety
standpoint, they provide better visibility and more passing opportunities. However, long tangent sections increase the
danger from headlight glare and usually lead to excessive speeding. In hot climate areas, long tangents have been
shown to increase driver fatigue and hence cause accidents. The maximum length of a tangent section should not
exceed 4.0 kilometers.

16
HORIZONTALALIGNMENT The curve is a segment of a circle
with radius R

17
Compound Curves

Compound curves consist of two or more simple curves in


succession, turning in the
same direction, with any two successive curves having a common
tangent point.

18
Reverse Curves

Reverse curves usually consist of two simple curves with equal


radii turning in opposite directions with a common tangent. They
are generally used to change the alignment of a highway.

19
Transition Curves

The characteristic of a
transition curve is that
it has a constantly
changing radius.
Transition curves may
be inserted between
tangents and circular
curves to reduce the
abrupt introduction of
lateral acceleration.

20
Points to be considered

• Alignment should be fluent and fit with surrounding topography


• curve length shroud be long as possible
• Sharp curves should not be provided at long straight
• Reverse curve should be provided
• Brocken back curves should not be avoided
• Long tangent section exceeds 3km should be avoided
• Hairpin in hilly terrain should be avoided
• Short excessive curves should be avoided
• S-curves may be required in difficult terrain (straight sections should be long)
• Distance between two compound curves should have ratio more than 1.5:1 (2:1)
• Horizontal alignment should be coordinated with vertical alignment

21
Questions

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