SIGHT DISTANCE

Sight distance available from a point is the actual distance along the road surface, over which a
driver from a specified height above the carriage way has visibility of stationary or moving
objects. Three sight distance situations are considered for design:

Types of sight distance

• Stopping sight distance (SSD) or the absolute minimum sight distance

• Intermediate sight distance (ISD) is defined as twice SSD

• Overtaking sight distance (OSD) for safe overtaking operation

Stopping sight distance

Stopping sight distance (SSD) is the minimum sight distance available on a highway at
any spot having sufficient length to enable the driver to stop a vehicle traveling at design
speed, safely without collision with any other obstruction. There is a term called safe
stopping distance and is one of the important measures in traffic engineering. It is the
distance a vehicle travels from the point at which a situation is first perceived to the time
the deceleration is complete. Drivers must have adequate time if they are to suddenly
respond to a situation.

Intersection Sight Distance

Intersection Sight Distance (ISD) is the minimum clear, unobstructed view needed by a
driver to safely perceive, react to, and avoid a collision with conflicting traffic at an
intersection.

Purpose of Intersection Sight Distance

• Traffic Conflict Detection:

Allows drivers of entering or crossing vehicles to see conflicting traffic streams in

• Safe Maneuvering:

Enables stopped vehicles on the minor road to perceive the intersecting roadway and
judge when it is safe to enter or cross.

• Preventing Crashes:

Ensuring adequate sight distance is a key factor in intersection safety and the analysis
of accident data.
Overtaking sight distance

The overtaking sight distance is the minimum distance open to the vision of the driver of a
vehicle intending to overtake the slow vehicle ahead safely against the traffic in the opposite
direction. The overtaking sight distance or passing sight distance is measured along the center
line of the road over which a driver with his eye level 1.2 m above the road surface can see the
top of an object 1.2 m above the road surface.

The most important consideration in all these is that at all times the driver traveling at the design
speed of the highway must have sufficient carriageway distance with in his line of vision to
allow him to stop his vehicle before colliding with a slowly moving or stationary object
appearing suddenly in his own traffic lane. The computation of sight distance depends on:

➢ Reaction time of the driver

Reaction time of a driver is the time taken from the instant the object is visible to the
driver to the instant when the brakes are applied. In practice, all these times are usually
combined into a total perception-reaction time suitable for design purposes as well as for
easy measurement. Many of the studies shows that drivers require about 1.5 to 2 secs
under normal conditions. However, taking into consideration the variability of driver
characteristics, a higher value is normally used in design. For example, IRC suggests a
reaction time of 2.5 secs.

➢ Speed of the vehicle

The speed of the vehicle very much affects the sight distance. Higher the speed, more
time will be required to stop the vehicle. Hence it is evident that, as the speed increases,
sight distance also Increases.

➢ Efficiency of brakes

The efficiency of the brakes depends upon the age of the vehicle, vehicle characteristics
etc. If the brake efficiency is 100%, the vehicle will stop the moment the brakes are
applied. But practically, it is not possible to achieve 100% brake efficiency. Therefore the
sight distance required will be more when the efficiency of brakes are less. Also for safe
geometric design, we assume that the vehicles have only 50% brake efficiency.

➢ Frictional resistance between the tyre and the road

The frictional resistance between the tyre and road plays an important role to bring the
vehicle to stop. When the frictional resistance is more, the vehicles stop immediately.
Thus sight required will be less. No separate provision for brake efficiency is provided
while computing the sight distance. This is taken into account along with the factor of
 longitudinal friction. IRC has specified the value of longitudinal friction in between 0.35
to 0.4.

➢ Gradient of the road.

Gradient of the road also affects the sight distance. While climbing up a gradient, the
vehicle can stop immediately. Therefore sight distance required is less. While descending
a gradient, gravity also comes into action and more time will be required to stop the
vehicle. Sight distance required will be more in this case.
 PROVISION OF SIGHT DISTANCE

Written Report

Presented to the Faculty of the

Civil Engineering Department

College of Information Technology and Engineering

Philippine Engineering and Agro-Industrial College Inc.

Datu Gonsi St. Lomidong, Marawi City

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Course of

CE 315/A - PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPORTATION

Prepared By:

GROUP 8

HIZAM D. DIANALAN

ABDULQADER D. ABEDIN

OCTOBER 2025