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Transition Curve Design for Highways

This document contains problems related to geometric design aspects of transportation engineering including sight distance, super elevation, extra widening, transition curves, setback distance, horizontal curves, and vertical alignment. Some key points covered are calculating stopping sight distances, minimum sight distances to avoid collisions, sight distances on grades, design of super elevation rates, extra widening on curves, transition curve lengths and shifts, setback distances to provide sight lines, elements of horizontal curves, and design of vertical curves between changing grades.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
337 views4 pages

Transition Curve Design for Highways

This document contains problems related to geometric design aspects of transportation engineering including sight distance, super elevation, extra widening, transition curves, setback distance, horizontal curves, and vertical alignment. Some key points covered are calculating stopping sight distances, minimum sight distances to avoid collisions, sight distances on grades, design of super elevation rates, extra widening on curves, transition curve lengths and shifts, setback distances to provide sight lines, elements of horizontal curves, and design of vertical curves between changing grades.

Uploaded by

yadole
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Sight Distance
  • Super Elevation
  • Transition Curve
  • Extra Widening
  • Setback Distance
  • Horizontal Curves
  • Vertical Alignment

Transportation I- III/II BD in Civil Eng

Geometric Design

Problems Set-ICP

Sight Distance

1. Calculate stopping distance for design speed of 50kmph for (a) two-way traffic in a
two lane road (b) two-way traffic in single lane road c) multilane divided highway and
d) multilane undivided highway(Hint: f=0.37, t=2.5) [Ans: (a)61.4 m (b) 122.8 m.]
2. Find minimum sight distance to avoid head-on collision of two cars approaching at 90
kmph and 60 kmph. Given t=2.5sec, f=0.7 and brake efficiency of 50 percent in either
case. (Hint: brake efficiency reduces the coefficient of friction by 50 percent). [Ans:
SD=153.6+82.2=235.8m]
3. Find SSD for a descending gradient of 2% for V=80kmph. [Ans: 132m].
4. Find head light sight distance and intermediate sight distance for V=65 kmph. (Hint:
f=0.36, t=2.5 s, HSD=SSD, ISD=2*SSD) [Ans: 91.4 and 182.8 m]
5. Overtaking and overtaken vehicles are at 70 and 40 kmph respectively. find (i) OSD
(ii) min. and desirable length of overtaking zone (iii) show the sketch of overtaking
zone with location of sign post (hint: a=0.99m/sec2) [Ans: (i) 278 m (ii) 834 m/1390]
6. Calculate OSD for one way and two way traffic if the design speed is 96 kmph. Assume
all other data. a=0.72, t=2.5s) [Ans: OSD one way 342m, OSD two way 646m]
7. Compute non-passing sight distance for class I highway in plain terrain with downgrade
of 6%. Assume reaction time t = 140/ [35+V]

Super elevation

1. A national highway passing through a rolling terrain has two horizontal curves of radius
450 m and 150m. Design the required super elevation for the curves as per NRS
guidelines. F is given by f = 0.24-0.0012*v. assume v of 80kmph. [0.06]
2. Given R=100m, V=50 kmph, f=0.15 Find:
a e if full lateral friction is assumed to develop [Ans: 0.047]
b find f needed if no super elevation is provided [Ans: 0.197]
c Find equilibrium super-elevation if pressure on inner and outer outer wheel should be
equal (Hint:f=0) [Ans: 0.197]
3. Consider a two lane class I highway, in mountainous terrain, radius of the curve=480
m, Width of the pavement at the horizontal curve=7.5 m. (i) Design super elevation

Course Instructor- Prem N Bastola/ IOE/ 2019 Page 1


Transportation I- III/II BD in Civil Eng

for mixed traffic. (ii) By how much the outer edge of the pavement is to be raised with
respect to the centerline, if the pavement is rotated with respect to centerline. [Ans:(i)
0.059 (ii)0.22m]
4. Design rate of super elevation for a horizontal class I highway curve of radius 500 m
and rolling terrain. [Ans:e=0.07, f=0.087 and within limits]
5. Given a class I highway in mountainous terrain R=200m Design for super elevation.
(Hint: f=0.15) [Ans: Allowable speed is 74.75kmph and e=0.07]
6. Calculate the ruling minimum and absolute minimum radius of horizontal curve of a
NH in plain terrain.(Hint: Vruling=100kmph, Vmin=80kmph., e=0.07, f=0.15) [Ans:
360 and 230 m]
7. Compute super elevation if the impact factor =1/4, class I highway on plain terrain
8. Assuming the maximum value of centrifugal ratio, compute amount by which outer
edge of the road should be raised, assume two lane class II highway on plain terrain.
[hint- for roads maximum ratio = 1/4]

Extra Widening

1. Find the extra widening for two lane highway, R=250m, longest wheel base, l=7m,
assume design speed of 70kmph. (Hint: n=2)[Ans:0.662m]
2. Find the width of a pavement on a horizontal curve for a new two lane highway on
rolling terrain. Assume all data. (Hint: V=80kmph for rolling terrain, l=6.0m). [Ans:R
ruling=230m, We=0.71, W at HC=7.71m]

Transition Curve

1. Calculate the length of transition curve and shift for V=65kmph, R=220m, rate of
introduction of super elevation is 1 in 150, total width including extra widening is 7.5
m. (Hint: c=0.57) [Ans: Ls1=47.1m, Ls2=39m (e=0.07, pav. Rotated w.r.t centerline),
Ls3=51.9m, s=0.51m, Ls=52m]
2. Design a transition curve for a highway with design speed of 100kmph in a plain terrain.
Assume 5 degree of curve.
3. A two lane NH passing through rolling terrain of heavy rainfall area, R=500m. Design
length of Transition curve.(Hint: Heavy rainfall=….pav. surface rotated w.r.t to inner
edge. V=80kmph, N=1 in 150) [Ans:c=0.52, Ls1=42.3, Ls2=63.7m (e=0.057,
W+We=7.45), Ls3=34.6m, Ls=64m]

Course Instructor- Prem N Bastola/ IOE/ 2019 Page 2


Transportation I- III/II BD in Civil Eng

Setback distance

1. Horizontal curve of R=400m, L=200 m. Compute setback distance required to provide


(a) SSD of 90m, (b) OSD of 300 m. Distance between center line of road and inner land
(d) is 1.9m.[Ans:(a) /2 =6:5 ,m=4.4 m (b)ODS>L, for multi-lane m=26.8 m]
2. Determine the setback distance required on a four lane highway to provide adequate stopping
sight distance. Assume a horizontal curve of degree 7, deflection angle of 50 degree, and design
speed of 100 kmph. The reaction time of the driver is given by 𝑡 = 300/(10 + 𝑣)
3. A two lane highway passing thorough a dense forest area has sight obstructions located
6m from the center line of the inside lane. Inadequate sight distance has been blamed
for some accidents that have occurred on this section where it negotiates a 20 degree
horizontal curve. The posted- speed on the highway is 65 kmph. Analyze the problem
and comment on the result. Suggest suitable speed limit for this highway.[hw]
Horizontal curves

1. Compute all the elements of horizontal circular curve if the intersection angle is 110
degree, and degree of the curve is 3.5
2. Two roads having a deviation angle of 45 degree are to be joined by a 180m radius
curve. Compute the elements.
3. The tangent length of a simple curve was 202.12 m and the deflection angle for a 30-m
chord 2◦ 18’ Calculate the radius, the total deflection angle, the length of curve.
4. A circular curve of 800 m radius has been set out connecting two straights with a
deflection angle of 42◦. It is decided, for road construction reasons, that the mid-point
of the curve must be moved 4 m towards the centre, i.e. away from the intersection
point. The alignment of the straights is to remain unaltered. Calculate: The radius of
the new curve. The distances from the intersection point to the new tangent points and
length of the curve. [hw]
5. It is required to connect two straights (∆ = 50◦) with a composite curve, comprising
entry transition, circular arc and exit transition. The initial design parameters are V =
105 km/h, c = 0.6 m/s3, f = 0.15 and crossfall 1 in 14.5 (tan θ = 0.07). compute the
elements of the combined curve.
6. You are asked to design a horizontal curve with a 40-degree central angle for a two-
lane road with 3.5m lanes. The design speed is 100 km/h and superelevation is limited
to 0.06 m/m. Give the radius, degree of curvature, and length of curve that you would
recommend

Course Instructor- Prem N Bastola/ IOE/ 2019 Page 3


Transportation I- III/II BD in Civil Eng

Vertical Alignment

1. A vertical summit curve is formed by g1 = +3.0% and g2 = -5.0%. Design the length
of the summit curve for V=80 kmph. (Hint: SSD=128m). [Ans: 298m]
2. g1 ==1 in 100, g2 = -1 in 120. Design summit curve for V=80kmph, OSD=470m. [Ans:
L=417m]
3. g1 = +1/50 and g2 = - 1/80, SSD=180m, OSD=640m. Due to site constraints, L is
limited to [Link] the length of summit curve to meet SSD, ISD and OSD.
Discuss results. [Ans: L for SSD=240m, okay, L for OSD=1387m, > 500m not okay, L
for ISD=439m okay.]
4. A valley curve is formed by descending gradient g1= 1 in 25 and ascending gradient
g2= 1 in 30. Design the length of the valley curve for V =80kmph. (Hint: c=0.6 m/cm3,
SSD=127.3m) [Ans: L=max (73.1, 199.5)]
5. A -2.5% grade is connected to a +1.0% grade by means of a 180 m vertical curve. The
P.I. station is 100+00 and the P.I. elevation is 100.0 m above sea level. Find the station
and elevation of the lowest point on the vertical curve?
6. Given g1= +3.5% and g2 = -1.5%. chainage of IP = 60+15 chain, RL = 250m. compute
the elements of the curve. And RL of various points to layout the cureve@ 15m. [hint-
1 chain = 30m]
7. Given the length of VC = 200m, initial grade = -3.5% and final grade = +0.5%. chainage
of BVC = 3+700 and RL = 321m. find the RL of lowest point [318m]
8. A grade of - 3.5% meets another grade of + 0.50%. The elevation of the point of
intersection is 267 m and chainage is 780 m. Field coordinates require that the vertical
curve should pass through a point of elevation 268 m at chainage 780 m. Compute a
suitable equal tangent vertical curve and elements of curve. [HW]
9. Arising gradient g1 is followed by another rising gradient g2 (g2 less than g1). The
gradients are connected by a vertical curve having a constant rate of change of gradient.
Show that at any point on the curve the height y above the first tangent point A is given

by where x is the horizontal distance of the point from A, and L


is the horizontal distance between the two tangent points. [HW]
10. Derive expressions for the length of VC [both summit and valley] [HW]

Course Instructor- Prem N Bastola/ IOE/ 2019 Page 4

Common questions

Powered by AI

The stopping distance for a design speed of 50 kmph varies depending on the type of road. For two-way traffic on a two-lane road, the stopping distance is 61.4 meters. For two-way traffic on a single-lane road, it doubles to 122.8 meters. This distinction arises because the availability of lanes affects the driver's reaction to oncoming traffic and the space available for corrective maneuvers . Factors affecting these calculations include the coefficient of friction (f=0.37), the driver's reaction time (t=2.5 seconds), and the road conditions.

Friction reduction due to brake efficiency, which reduces the coefficient of friction by 50%, significantly affects sight distance calculations by increasing the stopping distance. For instance, if the coefficient drops from 0.7 to 0.35, this results in longer stopping distances, impacting road safety. Implementing increased sight distances, improved surface materials to enhance friction, and advanced driver alert systems could mitigate these safety risks .

The rate of super elevation for a highway curve with a radius of 500 meters in rolling terrain is designed with a specified super elevation (e=0.07) and lateral friction (f=0.087). These values fall within permissible limits as per the norms. The significant factors in this design include the maximum vehicular speed, friction coefficient, the curve's radius, and the terrain type .

The extra widening required for a two-lane highway on a horizontal curve with a radius of 250 meters and a vehicle design speed of 70 kmph is 0.662 meters. This calculation considers factors like the length of the wheelbase (7 meters) and the number of lanes (n=2), using geometric formulas to account for the lateral shift of vehicles in curves and ensuring adequate clearance between vehicles .

The derivation of expressions for the length of a vertical curve involves applying principles of calculus and algebra to determine the curve's geometry given initial and final grades and desired sight distance (SSD or OSD). It balances rates of change in gradient, horizontal and vertical distances between tangent points, and desired curvature attributes, incorporating the roadway elevations to achieve a smooth transition .

The minimum sight distance to avoid a head-on collision for two cars approaching each other at speeds of 90 kmph and 60 kmph is 235.8 meters. This calculation considers a driver's reaction time of 2.5 seconds and a reduction in friction coefficient due to brake efficiency being reduced by 50% . It involves summing the stopping distances for both vehicles, taking into account the reduced coefficient of friction (f=0.7 reduced to f=0.35).

Designing an equal tangent vertical curve at a highway intersection involves calculating the gradients preceding and following the intersection, then determining the curve length that provides sufficient visibility for drivers approaching in both directions. This ensures that the change in vertical elevation is smooth, reducing the risk of accidents due to sudden changes in sight distance or the road gradient. The process is significant for maintaining safety and comfort, particularly at high-speed intersections .

A summit curve formed by gradients g1 = +3.0% and g2 = -5.0% for a velocity of 80 kmph requires a length of 298 meters. This length meets the stopping sight distance (SSD) requirement of 128 meters, yet other sight distances like overtaking (OSD) may necessitate adjustments. Challenges include geometric constraints where further extension isn't feasible, impacting traffic safety; hence, careful balancing of SSD and OSD against physical limitations is crucial .

The setback distance on a horizontal curve with a radius of 400 meters for a stopping sight distance (SSD) of 90 meters involves determining the required distance between the center line of the road and the inner land, which is influenced by geometric considerations like the degree of curvature and the height of obstructions. It is critical to compare computed setback values against actual limitations to ensure safety. In this scenario, m=4.4 meters provides the necessary distance .

When the midpoint of a curve with an 800 m radius needs to be moved 4 meters towards the center due to construction constraints, the radius of the new curve is adjusted accordingly to maintain the curve's geometric proportions. The radii of the new tangent points and lengths of the new curve must also be recalculated to reflect this change, ensuring that the road's alignment and vehicular dynamics remain consistent and safe .

Transportation I- III/II BD in Civil Eng 
 
Course Instructor- Prem N Bastola/ IOE/ 2019 
Page 1 
 
Geometric Design 
Problem
Transportation I- III/II BD in Civil Eng 
 
Course Instructor- Prem N Bastola/ IOE/ 2019 
Page 2 
 
for mixed traffic. (ii) B
Transportation I- III/II BD in Civil Eng 
 
Course Instructor- Prem N Bastola/ IOE/ 2019 
Page 3 
 
Setback distance 
1. Hori
Transportation I- III/II BD in Civil Eng 
 
Course Instructor- Prem N Bastola/ IOE/ 2019 
Page 4 
 
Vertical Alignment 
1. A

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