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Road Geometry & Transition Curve

The document discusses elements of road geometry including pavement surface characteristics like friction, drainage, camber, width of carriageway, and kerbs. It also discusses superelevation, which is raising the outer edge of a road curve to help vehicles negotiate turns. Transition curves are defined as gradually changing horizontal alignment from straight to circular over a varying radius to introduce centrifugal force, superelevation, and widening gradually for driver comfort. Three examples are provided to calculate minimum transition curve length and deflection angle based on design speed, radius, and rate of change of acceleration. Superelevation is also calculated based on design speed and radius.

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Nann Kay Thari Kyaw
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203 views8 pages

Road Geometry & Transition Curve

The document discusses elements of road geometry including pavement surface characteristics like friction, drainage, camber, width of carriageway, and kerbs. It also discusses superelevation, which is raising the outer edge of a road curve to help vehicles negotiate turns. Transition curves are defined as gradually changing horizontal alignment from straight to circular over a varying radius to introduce centrifugal force, superelevation, and widening gradually for driver comfort. Three examples are provided to calculate minimum transition curve length and deflection angle based on design speed, radius, and rate of change of acceleration. Superelevation is also calculated based on design speed and radius.

Uploaded by

Nann Kay Thari Kyaw
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
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I.

Elements in road geometry

Fig. Two-lane highway cross section, with ditches.

Fig. Divided highway cross section, depressed median, with ditches.


Pavement surface characteristics
For a safe and comfortable driving four aspects of the pavement surface are important; the
friction between the wheels and the pavement surface, smoothness of the road surface,
the light reflection characteristics of the top of pavement surface, and drainage to water.
Friction
Friction between the wheel and the pavement surface is a crucial factor in the design of
horizontal curves and thus the safe operating speed. Further, it also react the acceleration
and deceleration ability of vehicles. Lack of adequate friction can cause skidding or slipping
of vehicles.
Drainage
The pavement surface should be absolutely impermeable to prevent seepage of water into
the pavement layers. Further, both the geometry and texture of pavement surface should
help in draining out the water from the surface in less time.
Camber
Camber or cant is the cross slope provided to raise middle of the road surface in the
transverse direction to drain rain water from road surface.
Too steep slope is undesirable for it will erode the surface. Camber is measured in 1 in n or
n% (Eg. 1 in 50 or 2%) and the value depends on the type of pavement surface.
Width of carriage way
Width of the carriage way or the width of the pavement depends on the width of the traffic
lane and number of lanes. Width of a traffic lane depends on the width of the vehicle and
the clearance. Side clearance improves operating speed and safety.
Kerbs
Kerbs indicate the boundary between the carriage way and the shoulder or islands or
footpaths.
II.Superelevation
Superelevation is a method of infrastructure construction used in roadway curves
where the outer edge of the pavement is raised above the inner edge.
III.Transition Curve
Transition curve is a curve in plan which is provided to change the horizontal alignment
from straight to circular curve gradually means the radius of transition curve varies
between infinity to R or R to infinity.

Objectives for providing transition curves

1. For the gradual introduction Centrifugal force


2. To introduce super elevation gradually
3. To introduce extra widening gradually
4. To provide comfort for the driver that is to enable smooth vehicle operation on road.
5. To enhance aesthetics of highways.
The rate of change of centrifugal acceleration to be developed gradually. From this
consideration the length transition curve is given by the following equation:
L = V³/ CR

Where, L = Length of transition curve in m, V = Speed of vehicle in m/sec,

C = Rate of change of centrifugal acceleration (0.3-0.5)


R = Radius of the circular curve in m.
Example-1
A straight section of road is to be connected to a circular arc of radius 850 m by means of
cubic spiral transition curve. The design speed for this single carriageway road of 8 m width
is 80 km/h. Assuming that the permitted rate of change of radial acceleration of 0.35
m/sec3. Determine the minimum length of transition curve and maximum deflection angle
for transition curve length determined.
Solution
R= 850 m
V= 80 km/h = (80 x 1000)/(60 x60) = 22.222222 m/sec
C = 0.35 m/sec3
Minimum length of transition curve, L=?
L = V³/ CR

L= 36.887 m

Deflection angle, θ =?

θ = (36.887 x 180)/ (2 x 850 x π)


θ = 1.2432˚ = 1˚14’ 36”

Transition length is the distance that is required to transition the road from normal to full
superelevation. It consists of Runout Length and Runoff Length.
Runout Length is the distance that is required to transition from normal crown to zero
superelevation (flat).
Runoff Length is the distance that is required to transition from zero (flat) superelevation to
full superelevation.
Example-2
A design speed for the single carriageway road of 8 m width is 80 km/h. If it may be
assumed that 55% of radial force on vehicles negotiating curves at the design speed is to be
taken by superelevation. Determine the suitable amount of superelevation for the circular
arc of radius 850 m.
Draw the profile of the road along the transition curve by using suitable horizontal and
vertical scales, assuming that the straight section has 2% crossfall each way from crown to
edges.
Solution

h α

V= 80 km/h = (80 x 1000)/(60 x60) = 22.222222 m/sec , R = 850 m


α = angle of banking, superelevation,
tan α = h/B = v2/gR (Consider 55% of radial force on vehicles negotiating curves at the
design speed is to be taken by superelevation)
tan α = 0.55 x (22.22222)2/(9.81 x 850) = 0.03257 = 3.25%
Half width of carriageway = 4 m
Level change crown to edge at 2% superelevation = 4 x 0.02 = 0.08 m
Level change crown to edge at 3.25% superelevation = 4 x 0.0325 = 0.13 m

Outer edge

Crown

Inner edge

Straight Transition Circular


Example-3
A straight section of road is to be connected to a circular arc of radius 850 m by means of
cubic spiral transition curve. The design speed for this single carriageway road of 8 m width
is 80 km/h.
(a)Assuming that the permitted rate of change of radial acceleration of 0.35 m/sec3.
Determine the minimum length of transition curve and maximum deflection angle for
transition curve length determined.
(b)If it may be assumed that 55% of radial force on vehicles negotiating curves at the design
speed is to be taken by superelevation. Determine the suitable amount of superelevation
for the circular arc of radius 850 m.
(c)Draw the profile of the road along the transition curve by using suitable horizontal and
vertical scales, assuming that the straight section has 2% crossfall each way from crown to
edges.
Solution
(a)R= 850 m
V= 80 km/h = (80 x 1000)/(60 x60) = 22.222222 m/sec
C = 0.35 m/sec3
Minimum length of transition curve, L=?
L = V3/CR
L= 36.887 m

Deflection angle, θ =?

θ = (36.887 x 180)/ (2 x 850 x π)


θ = 1.2432˚ = 1˚14’ 36”

(b)V= 80 km/h = (80 x 1000)/(60 x60) = 22.222222 m/sec , R = 850 m


α = angle of banking, superelevation,
tan α = h/B = v2/gR (Consider 55% of radial force on vehicles negotiating curves at the
design speed is to be taken by superelevation)
tan α = 0.55 x (22.22222)2/(9.81 x 850) = 0.03257 = 3.25%
(c)Half width of carriageway = 4 m
Level change crown to edge at 2% superelevation = 4 x 0.02 = 0.08 m
Level change crown to edge at 3.25% superelevation = 4 x 0.0325 = 0.13 m

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