The University of Technology Highway Engineering I

Third Year Class

Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

Geometric Design of Highways

Geometric design of highways is that phase of highway design which deals with
visible dimension of a roadway. Thus, it is the design of those road elements with
which the roadway user is directly connected. It is the desire of every road user to
reach his destination in the shortest possible time and with the least inconvenience.
It, therefore; becomes inevitable for a designer to provide a highway which caters
for the maximum possible speed and the most effective safety measures. Thus
speed, safety and comfort are the three important factors controlling the design
features.
Geometric design elements, like road width, horizontal curvature, vertical
curvature, camber, are influenced by driver psychology, vehicle characteristics,
and traffic characteristics. Geometric design elements include the following:

A. Cross section elements

B. Horizontal alignment
C. Vertical alignment.
A. Highway Cross- Section Elements
1- Lane Width:

Lane width affects both the efficiency and safety, especially of roadways with high
design speed. In general the minimum lane width is 3 meter and the favorite is 3.75
m. Lane width depends on:

Type of roadway, Design speed and Traffic volume.

Lane width (m) Type of roadway

3.75 Single-lane carriageway
7.00 Two-lane carriageway
3.00 Village roads
4.25 Single-lane carriageway (for bridge)
7.50 Two-lane carriageway (for bridge)

2- Number of Lanes:

Number of lanes depends on the design year traffic volume and the lane capacity.

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The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

Type of lanes:

1- Through lanes.

2- Collecting lanes.

3- Reversible lanes, (for heavily unbalanced traffic flow between morning and
night).

4- Climbing lanes, (for slow-moving vehicles in the mountainous areas).

Road types according to number of lanes:

1- Single carriageway

2-lanes, one way 2-lanes, 2 ways

3-lanes, one way 3-lanes, 2 ways

2- Dual carriageway

Double 2-lanes Double 3-lanes

Median
Median

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The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

3- Shoulders:

Shoulder is that portion of the roadway between the edge of the traffic lane and the
edge of the ditch, gutter, curb, or side slope or the median for dual carriageway.
Shoulder width ranges from (2.5m to 3.0m). Shoulder cross-slope = 5 - 8%.

Advantages of shoulders:

1. Minimize accident potential.

2. Provide a place for vehicle to stop when disable or to stand for other
reasons.
3. Increase capacity.
4. Increase horizontal sight distance on curves.
5. Structural support for pavements.

4- Curbs:
Curb types:
1. Barrier (for pedestrian)
2. Mountable
3. Curb & Gutter

5- Guard Rail:
Used at hazardous points:
1. At high fill > 3.0m
2. Steep grades
3. Sharp curvature
4. Sudden change in alignment
5. Restricted sight (foggy area)
6. Near rivers and lakes < 10 - 15m.

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The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

6- Pavement Crowning:

Pavements crowning may be defined as the gradient of the line joining the crown
(topmost point) of the pavement to its edges. It is sometimes called the cross-slope
of the road. The main object of providing pavement crowning is the draining of
water off the road surface quickly to the side during the rainy season.

Types of pavement crowning:

1. Simple parabola.
2. Single straight line on each side of the central line of road.
3. Combination of parabolic cap at the center and straight lines on the sides.
4. Two straight lines on each side of the central line.

C.L
C.L

C.L C.L

The values of slopes to be used may be taken according to the type of the road
surface. The Iraqi Design Manual gives the value of the slope in the range of 1:30
– 1:60 (3 – 1.5%).

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The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

7- Side Slope:

a. Cut slope:
- For normal soil (clay, silt, sand), & h ≤ 6.0m:
H:V = 2:1, … ..., 4:1 (the favorite is 4:1)

- For normal soil, & h > 6.0m:

(has to be designed according to slope stability theory)

- For rocky soil:

Hard (H:V) = 1:10 … 1:5
Medium (H:V) = 1:4 … 1:3
Soft (H:V) = 1:2 with steps

b- Fill slope: for the six meter as shown in figure the rest (h) slope become 1:1

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The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

8- Medians:

Median is the positive separation between opposing streams of traffic. Wide

medians are to be preferred whenever space and cost considerations permit.
Median width varies between (1.25 – 18 m). For the highway capacity manual
median's width varies between 3 – 10.5 m.

Advantages of medians:

1. Reduce headlight glare.

2. Reduce accidents.
3. Offer refuge for crossing traffic.
4. Offer space for left turning lanes.

9- Right of Way:

Right of way (land width) (road lane) is the area of highway between boundary
lines of the property abutting it. It includes the cross section elements and other
elements such as: fencing, posting and signing.

Right of way ≥ 80 m Freeway ≈ 200 m Highway ≈ 100 m

C.L

Shoulder Lane Lane Shoulder

Slope Slope
Cut slope Slope Slope
(sideslope)
Ditch Pavement crowning

Fill slope (cross slope)

Cross-section of a road

Geometric Design of Highways……………………………………………………….……………………………………………… 6/25

The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

B. Horizontal Alignment
The horizontal alignment of a road which is shown on the plan view is a series of
straight lines called tangents connected by circular curves.
Horizontal curves can be classified as:-

1-Simple curve: This curve contains one radius and one central angle.

𝟐𝟐∗𝝅𝝅∗𝑹𝑹∗∆(𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅.) 𝑹𝑹∗∆(𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅.) 𝟐𝟐𝝅𝝅𝝅𝝅 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏ˈ 𝑳𝑳

L= = = =∆
𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓.𝟑𝟑 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 𝑫𝑫

∆ ∆
T= 𝑹𝑹 ∗ 𝐭𝐭𝐭𝐭𝐭𝐭 𝟐𝟐 C = 𝟐𝟐 ∗ 𝑹𝑹 ∗ �𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬 𝟐𝟐�

∆
M = 𝑹𝑹 ∗ �𝟏𝟏 − 𝐜𝐜𝐜𝐜𝐜𝐜 𝟐𝟐�

∆
E = 𝑹𝑹 ∗ �𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬𝐬 𝟐𝟐 − 𝟏𝟏�

Where:

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The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

∆ = Central angle (Deflection angle) E = External distance

(External angle)
PC = Point of Curvature
R = Radius of curve
PI = Point of Intersection
T = Tangent length
PT = Point of Tangency
L = Curve length
PC = Point of Curvature
C = Chord length
PI = Point of Intersection
M = Middle ordinate (Clearance
PT = Point of Tangency
distance)
Notes:
- To find the main stations of the points (PC & PT) when PI station is given
are as follows:
• Sta. PC = Sta. PI – T,
• Sta. PT = Sta. PC + L.
- The station of PT cannot be calculated from (Sta. PI + T) or from (Sta. PC
+ 2T).

Example (1):
Calculate the elements and the main stations for a simple circular curve, if its
radius (R) = 250m, D = 52o36', and Sta. PI = 14+80.
Solution:
∆ 52°36′
- T = Tangent length = 𝑅𝑅 ∗ tan 2 = 250 ∗ tan = 123.56𝑚𝑚
2
∆ 52°36′
- C = Chord length = 2 ∗ 𝑅𝑅 ∗ �sin 2� = 2 ∗ 250 ∗ �sin � = 221.54𝑚𝑚
2
𝑅𝑅∗∆(𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑.) 250∗(52.6°)
- L = Curve length = = = 229.49𝑚𝑚
57.3 57.3

∆ 1
- E = External distance = 𝑅𝑅 ∗ �sec 2 − 1� = 250 ∗ � 52°36′
− 1� = 28.87𝑚𝑚
cos 2

∆ 52°36′
- M = Middle ordinate = 𝑅𝑅 ∗ �1 − cos 2� = 250 ∗ �1 − cos � = 25.88𝑚𝑚
2
- Sta. PC = Sta. PI – T = (14+80) – (1+23.56) = 13 + 56.44
- Sta. PT = Sta. PC + L = (13+56.44) + (2+29.49) = 15 + 85.93

Geometric Design of Highways……………………………………………………….……………………………………………… 8/25

The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

Example (2):
Calculate the elements and the main station of a single circular curve has R =
388m, C = 287m and Sta. PT = 52+50.
Solution:
∆ ∆ ∆ 287
C = 2 ∗ 𝑅𝑅 ∗ �sin � → 287 = 2 ∗ 388 ∗ �sin � → �sin � = →
2 2 2 776
∆ ∆
�sin � = 0.369845 → = 21°42′ → ∆= 43°24′
2 2
∆ 43°24′
T = 𝑅𝑅 ∗ tan 2 = 388 ∗ tan = 154.40𝑚𝑚
2
𝑅𝑅∗∆(𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑.) 388∗(43.4°)
L= = = 293.877𝑚𝑚
57.3 57.3

∆ 1
E = 𝑅𝑅 ∗ �sec 2 − 1� = 388 ∗ � 43°24′
− 1� = 29.59𝑚𝑚
cos 2

∆ 43°24′
M = 𝑅𝑅 ∗ �1 − cos 2� = 388 ∗ �1 − cos � = 27.50𝑚𝑚
2
Sta. PC = Sta. PT – L = (52+50) – (2+93.90) = 49 + 56.10
Sta. PI = Sta. PC + T = (49+56.10) + (1+54.40) = 51+10.50

2-Compound curve: This type of circular curves has two radiuses or more, two
central angles or more, and the circular curves of the same directions.

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The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

3-Reversed curve: It has two radiuses, two central angles, and two circular curves
at opposite sides.
- The purposes of reverse curve are:
* To use in railroad and mountainous areas.
* To use when it needs to avoid some areas.

4-Broken back curve: It has two curves at the same direction with short tangent
between them. It should be avoided because drivers don’t expect to encounter this
arrangement on typical highway geometry. It is better to replace the curves with
larger radius circular curve.
Tangent

5-Transition curves (spiral): These curve types are used to connect curved and
straight sections of highway. (They can also be used to ease the change between
two circular curves where the difference in radius is large.) The purpose of
transition curves is to permit the gradual introduction of centrifugal forces. Such
forces are required in order to cause a vehicle to move round a circular arc rather
than continue in a straight line.

Geometric Design of Highways……………………………………………………….……………………………………………… 10/25

The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

Elements of Highway Safety

a. Curve superelevation
b. Sight distance
C. Widening on circular curves

a. Curve Superelevation
When vehicle passing from a straight to a curved path, a vehicle is under the
influence of two forces, namely (i) the weight of the vehicle, and (ii) the
centrifugal force; both of them acting through its centre of gravity. The centrifugal
force always acts in the horizontal direction and its effect is to push the vehicle off
the track. To balance this:
(1) It is customary to make the road surface perpendicular to the resultant of the
above two forces, i.e. the outer edge of the road is raised above the inner edge.
This is called superelevation.
(2) By side friction factor or coefficient of sliding friction.

Superelevation may be defined as the raising of the outer edge of the road along a
curve in order to counteract the effect of centrifugal force in combination with the
friction between the road surface &tires developed in the lateral direction.

Geometric Design of Highways……………………………………………………….……………………………………………… 11/25

The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

Superelevation Runoff is the distance required for the gradual change from the
normal cross slope sections (tangents) to the fully superelevation sections (curves).

If the surface is flat:-

𝑣𝑣 2
𝑓𝑓 =
𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔
𝑉𝑉 2
Or 𝑓𝑓 = 127 𝑅𝑅

If the surface has a superelevation:-

𝑣𝑣 2
e+𝑓𝑓 = 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔

𝑉𝑉 2
Or e+𝑓𝑓 =
127𝑅𝑅

Where: -
f = side friction coefficient
= velocity (speed) (in m/sec)𝑣𝑣
v = velocity (speed) (in km/hr)
g = acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 m/sec2
R = radius (m)
e = superelevation

AASHTO Recommendation for side friction coefficient (f):-

Design speed (km/hr) 32 48 64 80 97 113 129
Side friction coefficient (f) 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.12 0.10 0.08
Notes:

- Maximum Superelevation (e) Recommendation:-

0.1 For any condition.
0.08 For ice & snow condition.
- The superelevation should never be greater than the minimum coefficient of side
friction.
- e min. = cross – slope (pavement crowning).

Geometric Design of Highways……………………………………………………….……………………………………………… 12/25

The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

Example (1):
A roadway deflects by an angle of 50° . The two tangents intersect @ station
20+00.
a. Find the tangent & curve lengths for a 4° circular curve (100ˈ arc definision).
b. Recommend a superelevation rate if the design speed is 100 km/hr & the
coefficient of side friction is 0.12.
Solution:-
2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝐿𝐿 100ˈ
= =
360 ∆ 𝐷𝐷

𝐿𝐿 100ˈ
=
50 4
L= 1250 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 = 1250 ∗ 0.305 = 381.25𝑚𝑚
∆
T= 𝑅𝑅 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 2

2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 100
=
360 4

𝑅𝑅 = (100(360))/(2π(4))*0.305= 436.88m
50
T= 436.88 tan( ) = 203.72m
2
𝑉𝑉 2
e+𝑓𝑓 = 127𝑅𝑅
(100)2
e+0.12 =
127(436.88)

e = 0.06

<f = 0.12
<e max. = 0.12
>e min. (cross-slope) = 0.015

Geometric Design of Highways……………………………………………………….……………………………………………… 13/25

The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

Example (2):

Find the required radius of curvature for a circular horizontal curve. Given that: -
Design speed = 100 km/hr.
Superelevation = 1:20.
Coefficient of side friction = 0.13.
Solution:-

𝑉𝑉 2
𝑒𝑒 + 𝑓𝑓 =
127𝑅𝑅
(100)2
0.05 + 0.13 = 127𝑅𝑅
R=437.44m
Use R min. = 440m
Or 450m if possible.

Example (3):
For a design speed of 100 km/hr, what should be the min. radii for horizontal
curves for the following conditions:-
1. The tangent cross– section is to be used throughout the curve.
2. Remove adverse cross – slope.
3. Max. superelevation.
Given that: - cross-slope = 1:40 and coefficient of side friction = 0.12.
Solution:-

𝑉𝑉 2
1. 𝑒𝑒 + 𝑓𝑓 =
127𝑅𝑅
1 1002
− 40 + 0.12 = 127𝑅𝑅

R = 828.8m
1 1002
2. + 0.12 =
40 127𝑅𝑅
R = 543.0 m
(100)2
3. 0.1+0.12 = 127 𝑅𝑅
R = 357.9m = R min.

Geometric Design of Highways……………………………………………………….……………………………………………… 14/25

The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

b. Sight Distance
Sight distance is the length of the roadway ahead that is visible to the driver. The
available sight distance on a roadway should be sufficiently long to enable a
vehicle traveling at or near the design speed to stop before reaching a stationary
object in its path. Although greater lengths of visible roadway are desirable, the
sight distance at every point along a roadway should be at least that needed for a
below-average driver or vehicle to stop. As well as, sight distance is defined as the
length of carriageway that the driver can see in both the horizontal and vertical
planes. Two types of sight distance are detailed:

1- Stopping sight distance (S.S.D.)

2- Passing (Overtaking) sight distance (P.S.D.)

1- Stopping sight distance (S.S.D.): It contains two elements:

a) The distance traveled after the obstruction comes to view but before the driver
applies the brakes. During this, the vehicle travels at its initial velocity.

d1 = 0.278 V*t

where:

d1 = perception-reaction distance (m)

V = speed (km/hr.)

t = perception-reaction time (sec.)

Time (sec.) Urban Rural

Perception 0.5 1.5
Reaction 1.0 1.0
Total 1.5 2.5

b) The second distance is consumed while the driver brakes the vehicle to stop
(after brake application) = braking distance (d2).

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The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

V2
d2 =
 a 
254(   g)
 9.81

where:

d2=braking distance (m)

V=Design speed (km/hr.)

a=acceleration rate (m/sec2)

g=percent grade divided by 100.

obstruction

S.S.D.

d1 d2

V2
S .S .D. = 0.278(V ) * (t ) +
 a 
254(   g)
 9.81

2- Passing sight distance (P.S.D.): It is the minimum distance required on two-

way two-lane highway to give the opportunity to pass slow moving vehicles and it
must be provided at intervals otherwise capacity decrease and accident may occur.

Geometric Design of Highways……………………………………………………….……………………………………………… 16/25

The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

d1 d2 d3 d4
Overtaken vehicle
Overtaking vehicle (passed) Vehicle in opposing
(passing) direction
Passing sight distance

a × t1
d1 = 0.278 × t1(V − m + )
2

where:

d1 = initial maneuver distance (m)

V = average speed of passing vehicle (km/hr.)

t1 = time of initial maneuver (sec.)

a = average acceleration rate (km/hr./sec.)

m = difference in speed of passed vehicle and passing vehicle (km/hr.)

d2 = 0.278 (V) (t2)

where:

d2 = distance while vehicle occupies left lane (m)

V = average speed of passing vehicle (km/hr.)

t2 = time passing vehicle occupies the left lane (sec.)

d3 = Clearance (safety) length, (30-75 m)

d4 = (2/3) d2 (distance traversed by an opposing vehicle in the opposite lane) (m).

P.S.D. = d1 + d2 + d3 + d4

Geometric Design of Highways……………………………………………………….……………………………………………… 17/25

The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

Example (1):

A driver is traveling at an average speed of (40 kph) when a person is crossing the
road. Assuming that perception time of the driver is (2.0 sec.) and the acceleration
rate is (5m/sec2); calculate:

a) The safe S.S.D. on a level road (g = 0%).

b) The safe S.S.D. on a 3% uphill road.

c) The safe S.S.D. on a 2% downhill road.

Solution:

40 2
a) S.S.D. = 0.278(40) * (2) + = 22.24 + 12.359 = 34.60 m
 5 
254(  + 0)
 9.81

40 2
b) S.S.D. = 0.278(40) * (2) + = 33.91 m
 5 
254(  + 0.03)
 9.81

40 2
c) S.S.D. = 0.278(40) * (2) + = 35.10 m
 5 
254(  − 0.02)
 9.81

Geometric Design of Highways……………………………………………………….……………………………………………… 18/25

The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

Example (2):

A driver traveling at a speed of (56 km/hr.) is trying to overtake the vehicle in front
of him. The speed of the overtaken vehicle is (40 km/hr.). The acceleration rate of
the overtaking vehicle is (2.0 km/hr./sec.) and the vehicle spent (3.6 sec.) to move
to the opposing lane and (9.3 sec.) traveling on it. The speed of the opposing
vehicle is (45 kph). Assume a safety distance of 30 meters. Calculate the required
passing sight distance.

Solution:

P.S.D. = d1 + d2 + d3 + d4
a × t1 2 × 3.6
d1 = 0.278 × t1(V − m + ) = d1 = 0.278 × 3.6(56 − 16 + ) = 43.6 m.
2 2

d2 = 0.278 (V) (t2) = 0.278 (56) (9.3) = 144.8 m.

d3 = 30 m.

d4 = (2/3) (d2) = (2/3) (144.8) = 96.5 m.

P.S.D. = 43.6 + 144.8 + 30.0 + 96.5 = 314.9 m.

Geometric Design of Highways……………………………………………………….……………………………………………… 19/25

The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

Sight Distance Available on Horizontal Curves

L
Case (1): S< L S

𝑆𝑆 2
M = 8𝑅𝑅 M
………… (1) A B
P. P.
Obstruction

R R R- R R

S
L
Case (2): S> L
𝐿𝐿(2𝑆𝑆−𝐿𝐿) M
M= ………… (2) P.C
8𝑅𝑅 P.T

A
B
Obstruction
R R R-M R R
Where:

M=clearance distance

S=sight distance available

R= radius of curve

L= length of curve

• Available sight distance ≥ min. stopping distance.

or ≥ min. passing distance.

• If S= min. stopping distance

or S= min. passing distance;

∴ R or M from Eq. (1) & (2) is the minimum.

Geometric Design of Highways……………………………………………………….……………………………………………… 20/25

The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

Example (1):

A rural road way deflects by an angle of 50o 40', the two tangents intersect @
station 20 + 00.

a. Find the tangent & curve lengths for a 4o curve.

b. Recommend a super elevation rate if the design speed is 100 km/hr& the
coefficient of side friction is 0.13.
c. What is the clearance distance required for an obstruction near the road if the
acceleration rate is (5m/sec2)?

Solution:

2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 100′ 2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 100 100∗360

a. = ⟹ = ⟹ 𝑅𝑅 = ∗ 0.305 = 436.88𝑚𝑚
360 𝐷𝐷 360 4 8𝜋𝜋

∆ 50𝑜𝑜 40′
𝑇𝑇 = 𝑅𝑅 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 = 436.88 tan � � = 206.82 𝑚𝑚
2 2
100′ 𝐿𝐿 100 𝐿𝐿 100 ∗ 50𝑜𝑜 40′
= ⟹ = 𝑜𝑜 ′ ⟹ 𝐿𝐿 = ∗ 0.305 = 386.33𝑚𝑚
𝐷𝐷 ∆ 4 50 40 4
𝑉𝑉 2 (100)2
b. 𝑒𝑒 + 𝑓𝑓 = 127𝑅𝑅 ⟹ 𝑒𝑒 + 0.13 = 127(436.88) ⟹ 𝑒𝑒 = 0.050.

V2 𝑡𝑡 = 2.5 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠.
c. S .S .D. = 0.278(V ) * (t ) + � �
 a  𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 ℎ𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖ℎ𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤
254(   g)
 9.81

(100)2
𝑆𝑆. 𝑆𝑆. 𝐷𝐷 = 𝑜𝑜. 278 (100)(2.5) + 254(5/9.81) = 146.74 𝑚𝑚

∵𝑆𝑆=146.74 𝑚𝑚
& 𝐿𝐿=386.33𝑚𝑚⟹∴ 𝑆𝑆 < 𝐿𝐿
𝑆𝑆 2 (146.74)2
∴ 𝑀𝑀 = = = 6.16 𝑚𝑚.
8𝑅𝑅 8(436.88)

Geometric Design of Highways……………………………………………………….……………………………………………… 21/25

The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

Example (2):

Two tangents of a rural highway have to be connected with a simple circular curve
of radius 150 m. If the maximum supelevation allowed is 0.1,

1. What will be the maximum driving speed on the curve?

2. What will be the minimum safe stopping distance?
Assume: Coefficient of side friction = 0.13, acceleration rate is (4m/sec2).
Solution:
𝑉𝑉 2 𝑉𝑉 2
1. e+f =
127𝑅𝑅
⟹ 𝑜𝑜. 12 + 0.13 = 127(150) ⟹ 𝑉𝑉𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚. = 69.0 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/ℎ𝑟𝑟
V2
2. S .S .D. = 0.278(V ) * (t ) +
 a 
254(   g)
 9.81
(69)2
= 0.278(69)(2.5)+254(4/9.81) ⟹ 𝑆𝑆𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = 93.92 𝑚𝑚

Geometric Design of Highways……………………………………………………….……………………………………………… 22/25

The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

Example (3):
The stopping & passing sight distance required for highway have been found to be
90 & 300m respectively. If the high way deflects by an angle of 28.6o& with a
circular horizontal curve of 400 m radius, calculate the clearance requirement so as
to provide:-
a. Safe Stopping sight distance.
b. Safe passing sight distance.

Solution:

a. Passing is restricted
2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋 𝐿𝐿 2𝜋𝜋(400) 𝐿𝐿
= ⟹ ⟹
360 ∆ 360 28.6𝑜𝑜

⟹ 𝐿𝐿 = 200𝑚𝑚
∵𝑆𝑆=90𝑚𝑚
𝐿𝐿=200𝑚𝑚} ⟹∴ 𝑆𝑆 < 𝐿𝐿
2
𝑆𝑆 (90)2
∴ 𝑀𝑀 = = 2.53𝑚𝑚
8𝑅𝑅 8(400)

Clearance distance from the C.L of the inner (inside) lane.

b. Stopping is restricted

∵𝑆𝑆=300𝑚𝑚
&𝐿𝐿=200𝑚𝑚} ⇒∴ 𝑆𝑆 > 𝐿𝐿

𝐿𝐿(2𝑆𝑆 − 𝐿𝐿) 200(2 ∗ 300 − 200)

∴ 𝑀𝑀 = = = 25𝑚𝑚.
8𝑅𝑅 8(400)

Geometric Design of Highways……………………………………………………….……………………………………………… 23/25

The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

C. Widening on Circular Curves

It is the extra width of carriageway that is required on a curved section of a
highway above that required on a tangent section.

Advantages of the widening:-

-A vehicle turning about a curve occupies extra space.

-The rear wheels follow a path of shorter radius than the front wheels, so that the
effective width increases.

-Drivers shy away from the edges. l

𝑙𝑙2 W
𝑊𝑊 =
2𝑅𝑅

or d

𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛2
𝑊𝑊 =
2𝑅𝑅

Where:-
r R
W= extra width (m)

R= radius of outer wheel (m)

r= radius of inner wheel (m)

d= lateral width of wheel (m)

ℓ = length of wheel base = 15 m for the design vehicle

n= number of lanes.

Geometric Design of Highways……………………………………………………….……………………………………………… 24/25

The University of Technology Highway Engineering I
Third Year Class
Civil Engineering Department CE 3230

Example:

Calculate the total width of the pavement on a horizontal curve given the following
data:-

Design speed = 70 km/hr

Pavement width = 7 m
1
Superelevation = 15

Coefficient of side friction = 0.14

Longest wheel base length = 12 m

Solution:-

𝑉𝑉 2 1 (70)2
𝑒𝑒 + 𝑓𝑓 = ⇒ + 0.14 = ⇒ 𝑅𝑅𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = 186.69𝑚𝑚
127𝑅𝑅 15 127𝑅𝑅
∴ 𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈 𝑅𝑅 = 187𝑚𝑚

𝑛𝑛ℓ2 2(12)2
𝜔𝜔 = = = 0.77𝑚𝑚
2𝑅𝑅 2(187)

∴ Use 𝜔𝜔 = 0.80 m

∴ Total width of pavement = 7 + 0.8 = 7.8 m.

Geometric Design of Highways……………………………………………………….……………………………………………… 25/25