Chapter -2

Horizontal Alignment

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 Horizontal Alignment

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By:Marga.T Tangents Curves 2
 HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT
 Defined graphically using a series of straight-line tangents with
transition sections into and out of horizontal curves.
 Many factors, including terrain conditions and physical features
affect the design of tangent and curve sections
 Are might be straight sections, simple circular curves (a single
constant radius) and compound curves (a series of symmetrical
or asymmetrical radii).
 two methods of transitioning from a tangent section to full
curvature, tangent-to-curve and tangent-spiral-curve
 the superelevation runoff length(0-5%) is an important design
consideration when using the tangent-to-curve transition
method. Run out (2.5- 0%)
 The location where the runoff length begins and ends has an
effect on a vehicle’s lateral velocity and motion.

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 HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT
(Tangents & Curves)

Tangent

Tangent to
Circular Curve
Curve

Tangent to
Circular Curve

Tangent to
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Spiral Curve to
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By:Marga.T Circular Curve
 HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT…

• Is a composition of alignment + cross-section

• Horizontal Alignment consists of:
– Straight lines
– Curves:
» Simple circular curves
» Compound Curves
» Reverse Curves
» Transitional Spirals

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 HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT…

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 HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT…General Criteria

• Design speed is the principal factor controlling

horizontal alignment design.
• Several geometric standards related to design speed
are very specific. In addition, a proper relation should
be established between the design speed and
curvature and their joint relations with super
elevation and side friction, drainage, etc
• Guidelines for some of these decisions are outlined
below.
1. Alignment should be as straight as possible
2. Alignment should be consistent.
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 HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT…General Criteria
3. Curves with small deflection angles (5 degrees
or less) should be at least 150 m (500 ft) long
4. Avoid horizontal curvature on bridges when
possible
6. Avoid “broken-back” curves • spiral
transitions, compound curves or a single
longer curve is preferable there should be a
tangent distance 500 to 1500 ft [150 to 450m]
between the curves,

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 HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT… Straight line

• will provide the shortest distance between two

established control points; should therefore
represent an optimum, the most economical
solution
• it is rarely physically, environmentally practical
• The curvature value k results: k = 1/R; R is infinity
• No steering movements are needed. No
centrifugal forces
• an accident amassment on these distances.

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 HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT … Simple Circular Curves

• A simple curve has a constant radius to achieve

the desired deflection
• their simplicity and ease of design, survey, and
construction, simple curves are the most
frequently used type of curve,
• The horizontal alignment comprises the road on
the plane of the earth, including straight sections
and curves.
• The curves are based on circles.
• the geometrical place of all points with same
distance from one middle point M.
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 Simple Circular Curves - Terms
∆=deflection angle
L=Length of Curve
C=Chord Length
R=Radius of Curvature
M=Middle Ordinate
E=External Distance
T=Length of Tangent
P.I.=Point of Intersection
TC/PC=Tangent to Circle
CT/PT=Circle to Tangent

TIPS

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 Simple Circular Curves...
100ft(20m)
Degree of Curvature
Arc Definition D
5729.58
100 2 R R R
 R
D 360 20 2R 1145.92 D
 D
D 360 R

100ft
Chord Definition
D

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 Simple Circular Curves...
• Relations:

T  R tan( / 2)
C  2 R sin( / 2)
L  R
E  Rsec( / 2)  1
M  R1  cos( / 2)
• PI=PC+T
• PT=PC+L
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 Example
A horizontal curve is designed with a 1500ft.
radius. The tangent length is 400ft and the PT
station is 20+00. What are the PI and Pc
stations?

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 Super-elevation rate, e
• Is the raising of the outer edge of the road along a curve in-order to
counteract the effect of radial centrifugal force in combination with the
friction between the surface and tyres developed in the lateral direction
• Maximum value is controlled by:
– Climatic conditions: frequency & amount of snow/icing
– Terrain condition: flat vs. mountainous
– Area type: rural vs. urban
– Frequency of very slow moving vehicles
• Minimum super-elevation rate is determined by drainage requirements
• UK emax: 0.07 (rural) & 0.05 (urban)

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 Maximum Degree of Curvature
• minimum radius for safety (veh. stability)
• Limiting value for a given design speed (given emax &
mmax) V2
Rmin 
127e  m 
• The respective maximum Degree of Curvature is:
1145 . 92 1145 . 92 143240 e  m 
D max   2 
R min V 127 e  m  V2
• Sharper Curve might justify use of e>emax or a
higher dependence on tyre friction or both

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 Application of Super-elevation
Is done in two stages:

1. Neutralizing the camber of the road

gradually, bringing it in to a straight line
slope
2. Increasing the slope gradually until design
super-elevation is attained

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 Super-elevation
General Criteria
• a roadway cross-slope rate designated “e,” is an
integral part of the design of horizontal curvature
• allows a vehicle to safely and comfortably
navigate through curves at higher speeds.
• travels on a horizontal curve, it is forced radially
outward by centrifugal force and more
pronounced as the radius of the curve is
shortened.
• This is counterbalanced by providing roadway
super elevation and by the side friction.
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 Super-elevation...

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 Super-elevation...
• Safe travel at different speeds depends upon the radius
of curvature, the side friction, and the rate of super
elevation.
• A 6 percent maximum super elevation rate shall be
used on rural highways
• A 4 percent maximum super elevation rate may be
used on high speed urban highways to minimize
conflicts with adjacent development and intersecting
streets.
• Low speed (40 mph or less) urban streets can use a 4
percent or 6 percent maximum super elevation rate.
• ETH<=8%
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 Super-elevation...

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 Example
A road way is being designed for a speed of 113 km/hr. At one horizontal curve, it is
known that the superelevation is 8.0% and the coefficient of side friction is 0.10.
Determine the minimum radius of curve (measured to the travelled path) that will
provide for safe vehicle operation.
Solution:

• This value is the minimum radius, because radii smaller than 558.57 m will generate
centripetal forces higher than those that can be safely supported by the superelevation
and the side friction forces.

Geometric design
manual, ERA
2002

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 Horizontal Alignments…Other Curve Types
Compound Curves
• Compound curves consist of two or more adjacent curves
• They offer transition curvature for the vehicle path, but the
change in curvature can mislead the driver

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Compound Curves…
 A compound curve has two or more circular curves contained between
the two main straights or tangents. The individual curves meet
tangentially at their junction point. The elements of a compound curve
shown as below:

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Compound Curves…

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 …con’t

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 Horizontal Alignments…Other Curve Types

Broken-Back Curves
• a curve that contains a tangent of less than 300 m (1000 ft)
between two curves in the same direction.
• it should be avoided by substituting a single longer curve
where practical

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Reverse Curves….

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 Horizontal Alignments…Other Curve Types
Spiral Curves
• spiral curves can provide the ideal vehicular transition into a
circular curve.
• they fit the transition length needed to develop the full design
super elevation
• their use should be limited to highways with design speeds of
80 Km /hr(50 mph) and curves radii less than 580m.

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 H.A. Spiral Transition curves

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 H.A. Spiral Transition curves…

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 H.A. Spiral Transition curves…

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 H.A. Spiral Transition curves…

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