Sight Distance for
Vertical Curves:
Summit Curve
Engr. Marielle “Maye” Caballero
Sight Distance for Vertical Curves: Summit Curve
Learning Targets:
At the end of the module, students will be able to:
1. Classify the profile of vertical curve either sag or summit
curve.
2. Calculate the required in the problem using the provided
formula and condition in summit vertical curve.
INTRODUCTION
The Problem: How do we safely connect two different
highway grades or slopes?
The Solution: Engineers apply a Parabolic Vertical Curve at
the intersection of two slopes.
Objective: To ensure the transition is both smooth and safe
for motorists.
Design factors, safety requirements, and physics regarding Vertical Curves
1. Primary Design Considerations
When engineers determine the type and length of a vertical curve, they
balance three main factors:
• Driver’s Comfort: Reducing the physical "jolt" during slope changes.
• Security: Ensuring the vehicle remains stable and the driver feels
safe.
• Appearance: Ensuring the road profile looks smooth and continuous.
*If the curve is provided with adequate sight distance, the length would
be sufficient to ease the shock due to change in gradient.
Design factors, safety requirements, and physics regarding Vertical Curves
2. Safety & Sight Distance (Most Critical)
Safety is the top priority for summit curves. Engineers must provide:
• Stopping Sight Distance (SSD): The absolute minimum distance
required for a driver to see an object and stop.
• Overtaking Sight Distance (OSD): Extra visibility provided when
passing is allowed.
• Intermediate Sight Distance: An alternative when full overtaking
distance isn't possible.
Design factors, safety requirements, and physics regarding Vertical Curves
Design factors, safety requirements, and physics regarding Vertical Curves
3. The Physics of Passenger Comfort
Summit curves are generally more comfortable for passengers than sag
curves because:
• Centrifugal Force: As the vehicle crests the hill, the centrifugal force
acts upward.
• Gravity Opposition: Because this force acts against gravity, it
relieves a portion of the pressure on the tires and the vehicle's
suspension.
• Shock Absorption: A curve with adequate length and sight distance
naturally eases the "shock" or impact of changing gradients.
Two Types of Vertical Curves:
1. Summit Curve
- When two grades meet at the summit and the curve will have
convexity upwards, the curve is simply referred as summit curve.
2. Sag (Valley) Curve
- When two grades meet at the valley or sag and the curve will have
convexity downwards, the curve is simply referred as the sag (valley)
curve.
Two Types of Vertical Curves:
Sight Distance for Vertical Curves
For Summit (Crest) Vertical Curves
a. When 𝑆 < 𝐿
Sight Distance for Vertical Curves
For Summit (Crest) Vertical Curves
a. When 𝑆 > 𝐿
Where:
𝑃𝐶 − 𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑣𝑒
𝐿 − 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒, 𝑚
𝑃𝑇 − 𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑇𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦
𝑆 − 𝑆𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑚
ℎ1 − ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑦𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 , 𝑚
ℎ2 − ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡, 𝑚
𝑔 − 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒
𝐿
𝐾=
𝐴
𝐾 − 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 1% 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒
𝐴 − 𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑔1 − 𝑔2
𝐿 − 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒, 𝑚
𝑅 = 𝐾 100
𝑅 − 𝑅𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒, 𝑚
𝑔1 𝐿
𝑆1 =
𝑔1 − 𝑔2
𝑆1 − 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑃𝐶
𝐿
𝐻 = (𝑔1 − 𝑔2 )
8
𝐻 − 𝐴𝑝𝑒𝑥 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑟
𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒.
Design Standards used in the Philippines
Sight Distance Type Driver Eye Height(m) Object Height (m)
Car Stopping Sight
1.08 0.60
Distance
Truck Stopping Sight
2.33 0.60
Distance
Maneuver Sight
1.08 0.60
Distance
Passing Sight Distance 1.08 1.08
Car Headlight to Road
0.60 0
Surface Sight Distance
Truck to Car Tail Sight
2.33 0.60
Distance
California Standards Length of Vertical Curves
When design speed V < 60kph Use L = 60 m
When grade breaks A = g1 – g2 is less than 2% Use L = 60 m
When V > 60 kph and grade break > 2% Use L = 2V
When V > 60 kph but grade break < 2% Use L = 60 m
Example no. 1
A 5% grade intersects a -3.4% grade at station 1+990 of elevation
42.30 m. Design a vertical summit parabolic curve connecting the
two tangent grades to conform with the following safe stopping sight
distance specifications.
Design velocity=60 kph
Height of driver’s eye from the road pavement = 1.37 m
Height of an object over the pavement ahead = 100 mm
Perception-reaction time = ¾ sec
Coefficient of friction between the road pavement and the tires = 0.15
a. Determine the stopping sight distance
b. Determine the length of curve
c. Determine the elevation of highest point on curve.
d. Determine the station of PC and PT.
Example no. 2
A vertical summit curve has tangent grades of 2.2% and -1.8%.
The required stopping sight distance 150m. What length of the
curve is required?
a. 136 m
b. 146 m
c. 156 m
d. 166 m
Example no. 3
A vertical summit curve has tangent grades of 2.8% and -1.6%.
The curve will be designed such that a motorist whose eyesight
is 1.5m above the roadway can sight at the top of a visible
object 100mm high at the right side of the summit, at a distance
of 130m.
1. Calculate the length of the curve in meters?
a. 165.75
b. 147.56
c. 156.57
d. 174.64
Example no. 3
A vertical summit curve has tangent grades of 2.8% and -1.6%.
The curve will be designed such that a motorist whose eyesight
is 1.5m above the roadway can sight at the top of a visible
object 100mm high at the right side of the summit, at a distance
of 130m.
2. What is the required change in grade per 20-m station?
a. 0.562%
b. 0.423%
c. 0.321%
d. 0.248%
Example no. 3
A vertical summit curve has tangent grades of 2.8% and -1.6%.
The curve will be designed such that a motorist whose eyesight
is 1.5m above the roadway can sight at the top of a visible
object 100mm high at the right side of the summit, at a distance
of 130m.
3. How much farther is the summit from PC than from PT?
a. 99.64
b. 56.94
c. 65.47
d. 42.70
Activity 1
A +4.2% grade intersects a −2.6% grade at Station 2+350 with an
elevation of 58.75 m. Design a vertical summit parabolic curve
connecting the two tangent grades to conform with the following safe
stopping sight distance requirements:
Design speed = 70 kph
Height of driver’s eye above pavement = 1.20 m
Height of object above pavement = 0.15 m
Perception–reaction time = 1.0 sec
Coefficient of friction between pavement and tires = 0.35
a. Determine the stopping sight distance
b. Determine the length of curve
c. Determine the elevation of highest point on curve.
d. Determine the station of PC and PT.
Activity 2
A +6.0% upgrade meets a −2.0% downgrade at Station 3+120,
elevation 64.80 m. Design a vertical summit curve such that
adequate stopping sight distance is provided for:
Design speed = 50 kph
Height of driver’s eye above pavement = 1.37 m
Height of object above pavement = 0.10 m
Perception–reaction time = 0.75 sec
Coefficient of friction = 0.25
a. Determine the stopping sight distance
b. Determine the length of curve
c. Determine the elevation of highest point on curve.
d. Determine the station of PC and PT.