Design Speed
Bill Gulick PE PLS
Speed, Speed, Speed, Speed
Running Speed
Length / Time (used in cost analysis etc.)
Operating Speed
Observed Speed (speed studies 85th percentile)
Posted Speed
White Sign (speed limit)
Design Speed
A selected speed used to determine the geometric features of
the highway. (AASHTO 2011)
Design Speed
First Defined in 1936 (by Barnett)
AASHO accepted 1938
“The maximum uniform speed which probably will be adopted by the faster
group of drivers but not, by the small percentage of reckless ones.”
Definition Changed over Time
1936, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1945, 1954, 1973, 1977, 1984, 1988, 1994, 1997,
2004, 2011
AASHTO 1973 (1973 – 1994 + sort of)
“The maximum safe speed that can be maintained over a specified section of
highway when conditions are so favorable that the design features of the
highway govern.”
Design Speed
Current definition is the 14th (I think)
AASHTO Green Book 2011 “A selected speed used to determine the
various geometric design features of the highway.”
14 Words to define and 19 paragraphs advising how to pick a
good (appropriate) one.
Logical
All feature related to obtain balance
Above minimum where feasible
Meet Driver Expectation (where practical)
Within constraints of S.E.E. (social, environmental, economics)
Design Speed
More Advice on Design Speed
On low speed facilities above minimum criteria may
encourage higher speeds.
Higher Design Speeds are Appropriate for Higher
Functional Class Roadways
Design Speed is not particularly relevant in (true <
45mph)Urban Areas. (except for sight distances).
Critical element in Rural Areas is Horizontal Curves and
Superelevation.
Design Speed should reflect the DESIRED Operating Speed
Design Speed
Other Factors (more advice)
Posted Speed (PS) good correlation with Operating Speed
(OS)
Design Speed (DS) little correlation with OS
DS < PS = Lower Speeds (minor correlation)
DS > PS = Higher Speeds (more correlation)
Bigger Right Shoulder = Higher Speeds
Bigger Median = Higher Speeds
Note lack of the word “safe” in new definition.
Liability Associated with DS vs. PS over stated.
Design Speed
KYTC Highway Design Manual (2008 edition)
Design Speed is a selected speed used to determine the
various geometric features of the roadway. It is the
highest continuous speed at which individual vehicles can
travel with safety upon a highway when weather
conditions are favorable, traffic density is low, and the
geometric design features of the highway are the
governing conditions for safe speed.
1970’s again in mid 90’s (not mid 80’s)…. Until 1994
Design Speed
DESIGN SPEED Per revised NEW DESIGN MANUAL: KYTC HD-703
Design speed is a selected speed used to determine the various geometric
features of the roadway.
The selected design speed should be a logical one with respect to the
anticipated operating speed, topography, the adjacent land use, and the
functional classification of the highway. In selecting the design speed,
every effort should be made to attain a desired combination of safety,
mobility, and efficiency within the constraints of environmental impacts,
economics, project scope, aesthetics, and social or political impacts.
The selected design speed should be consistent with the speed that
drivers are likely to expect on a given highway facility. For a further
discussion of the philosophy of design speed, see AASHTO's “A Policy on
Geometric Design of Highways and Streets”.
Design Speed
2011 AASHTO Green Book Minimum Recommended Design Speeds
Local Roadways:
Rural Local: Chapter 5, Section 5.2.1, Table 5-1 (Minimum Design
Speed for Local Rural Roads).
Urban Local: Chapter 5, Section 5.3.1
Collector Roadways:
Rural Collector: Chapter 6, Section 6.2.1, Table 6-1 (Minimum Design
Speed for Rural Collectors).
Urban Collector: Chapter 6, Section 6.3.1
Arterial Roadways:
Rural Arterial: Chapter 7, Section 7.2.2
Urban Arterial: Chapter 7, Section 7.3.2
Design Speed
2005 AASHTO Design Standards Interstate System
Interstates
Rural: Page 2
Urban: Page 2
2016 KYTC Highway Design Manual
Chapter 700 Geometric Design Guidelines:
Exhibit 700-01 COMMON GEOMETRIC PRACTICES RURAL LOCAL ROADS
Exhibit 700-02 COMMON GEOMETRIC PRACTICES RURAL COLLECTOR
ROADS
Exhibit 700-03 COMMON GEOMETRIC PRACTICES RURAL ARTERIAL
ROADS
Exhibit 700-04 COMMON GEOMETRIC PRACTICES URBAN ROADWAYS
Design Speed
FHWA OLD 13 Controlling Criteria FHWA NEW 10–2 (KYTC)
(1985) Controlling Criteria (2016)
1. Design Speed 1. Design Speed
2. Lane Width 2. Lane Width
3. Shoulder Width 3. Shoulder Width
4. Bridge Width 4. Horizontal Curve
5. Structure Capacity 5. Superelevation Rate
6. Horizontal Alignment 6. Stopping Sight Distance (SDD)
7. Vertical Alignment 7. Maximum Grade
8. Grade 8. Cross-Slope
9. Stopping Sight Distance 9. Vertical Clearance
10. Cross-Slope 10. Design Load (Structure Capacity)
11. Superelevaion
12. Vertical Clearance Under 50 mph
13. Horizontal Clearance/Lateral Offset 1. Design Speed
2. Design Load (Structure Capacity)
Design Speed
THANK
YOU
ANY QUESTIONS??