Department of Civil Engineering: Highway Engineering I (Ceng 3102)
Department of Civil Engineering: Highway Engineering I (Ceng 3102)
Department of Civil Engineering: Highway Engineering I (Ceng 3102)
Intersections
A highway intersection is required to control conflicting and merging
streams of traffic so that delay is minimized.
This is achieved through choice of geometric parameters that control and
regulate the vehicle paths through the intersection.
Road Intersection (junction) is where two or more roads meet and or are
the points of potential vehicle conflict.
They are critical element of a road section.
They are normally a major bottleneck to smooth flow of traffic and a
major accident spot. The general principles of design in both rural and
urban areas are the same.
The dangers to pedestrians and riders of two-wheeled vehicles are also
great at intersections.
It serves conflicting traffic when competing for the same space at the
same time when going ahead or changing directions.
Introduction
3
Characteristics of intersections
More complicated area for drivers
Intersections
Intersections are generally classified into three general categories:
At-grade junctions,
Grade-separated without ramps, and
Grade-separated with ramps (commonly known as interchanges/freeway interchange)
Grade separation is a form of intersection in which one or more conflicting movements
of intersecting highways are segregated in space.
An interchange is a grade separation with connecting roadways which allow route
transfer between the intersecting highways.
An interchange is therefore, the highest form of intersection design.
The type of interchange, the shape and pattern of the interchange ramps for the various
turning movements, and their design are governed by several factors such as the
importance of the intersecting highways, the number of intersecting legs, the design
volumes of through and turning traffic movements including their composition, the design
speeds, available right of way and topography.
Interchanges, therefore, are necessarily designed individually in light of the above
considerations.
Introduction
5
Intersections
At-grade intersections do not provide for the flow of
traffic at different levels, and therefore there exist
conflicts between intersecting streams of traffic.
Grade-separated intersections usually consist of
structures that provide for traffic to cross at different
levels (vertical distances) without interruption.
The potential for accidents at grade separated
intersections is reduced because many potential conflicts
between intersecting streams of traffic are eliminated.
Introduction
6
Intersections
Key Terminologies
Channelization
A system of controlling traffic by the introduction of medians
and/or islands to direct traffic into a predetermined path,
usually at an intersection or junction.
Intersections
Key Terminologies
Furniture
At an intersection, this is the equipment, such as sign posts, median
kerbs, lighting poles, signal posts and controller, pedestrian control
fencing etc., which is installed to make the intersection work more
effectively.
Signalised Intersection vs Unsignalised Intersection
An intersection provided with signal lights for efficient operation of
traffic. movement. If no signal installed, it is unsignalised intersection.
Grade Separation
Grade separated structures is the term used for two roads crossing
at different levels by means of an overpass/underpass with no
connection between them.
Types of Road Intersections
8
Lane width, another feature related to the design vehicle, has some
impact on intersection design .
Figure 7-1: Junction Selection Based on Traffic Flows(2013) Figure 7-2: T-Junction Selection for Various Major and Minor
Road Traffic Flows (2013)
Types of At-grade Road Intersections
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♠ Crossing=16 points
♠ Diverging=4 points
♠ Merging= 4 points
Semi control
Channelization
Traffic rotaries
Active control
Traffic signals
Design Procedure
The design procedure is based on the following basic factors:
Understanding the role of each leg of the intersection in the road
hierarchy
Estimating the likely volumes of traffic (cars, taxis, single unit
trucks, buses, semi-trailers, bicycles and pedestrians)
Analysing the crash history if an existing intersection is included in
the road project
Identifying and including all users of an intersection in the design
considerations (e.g. Pedestrian crossings, public transport priority)
Selecting a design vehicle for each movement, and using the
turning templates for this vehicle at the speed which is
appropriate for the movement
Types of At-grade Road Intersections
38
Design Procedure….
The design procedure is based on the following basic factors:
Using a check vehicle (an over-dimensional vehicle or other large vehicle
that uses the intersection occasionally) to ensure that the vehicle can
traverse the intersection without damaging the roadside furniture or other
installations
Developing the geometry of the intersection to orientate vehicles so that
visibility is enhanced and relative speeds are reduced
Using gap acceptance and sight distance criteria for cars as the principal
design factors
Checking gap acceptance and sight distance criteria for trucks as
supplementary design factors
Taking into account safety, delay, site suitability, funding and economic
criteria in selecting the intersection layout and form of control
Road Terminal and Parking Facility
39
Types of Parking
Parking facilities may be divided into
Parallel Parking
40
Road Terminal and Parking Facility
Perpendicular Parking
41
Road Terminal and Parking Facility
60 Angle Parking
Road Terminal and Parking Facility
45 Angle Parking
43
Road Terminal and Parking Facility
45 Angle Parking
44
Road Terminal and Parking Facility
45
Grade Separation
The separation of two roadways vertically where they intersect so
that crossing movements are effected at different levels.
Interchange
An interchange is the term used when two roads cross at different
levels by means of an overpass with movement between the
roads provided for by means of connecting ramps.
It is simply, a grade separation of two or more roads with one or
Key Terminologies
Underpass
A grade separation where the subject carriageway passes under
an intersecting carriageway or railway.
Overpass
A grade separation where the subject carriageway passes over an
intersecting carriageway railway.
Ramp
Any turning roadway at an interchange.
Loop
A ramp where traffic changes direction by 90° by means of a 270° turn.
GRADE-SEPARATED JUNCTIONS AND INTERCHANGES
49
Choice of Scheme
In deciding on the location of a grade-separated junction(with
or without ramp), the following factors should be taken into
account(ERA,2013):
i. Predicted traffic volumes.
ii. Cost of junction.
iii. Congestion control.
iv. Trip length (travel distance).
v. Size of urban areas.
GRADE-SEPARATED JUNCTIONS AND INTERCHANGES
50
Typical Grade Separation Structures with Closed Typical Grade Separation Structure with Open-End Span
Abutments (AASHTO,2013) (AASHTO,2013)
BY Mubarek Z.
Over-pass
Major highway is taken above by rising its profile above the general
ground level by embankment and an overbridge across another highway
Advantage
Drainage problem may be reduced
Cost of bridge structure is less.
Future expansion or lateral expansion or
construction of separate bridge
structure is possible.
Disadvantages
In rolling terrain ,vertical profile will also have rolling grade line.
By constructing high embankment and by providing steep gradient will
result in increased grade resistance
Restriction to sight distance
GRADE-SEPARATED JUNCTIONS AND INTERCHANGES
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Under pass
If the highway is taken by depressing it below the ground level to cross another road
by means of an under-bridge ,it is known as under-pass.
An underpass or a tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed expect
for openings for ingress and egress, commonly at each end.
A tunnel maybe for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic
Advantages
There is a warning to traffic in advance due to the presence of under pass
When the major highway is taken below , it is advantageous to the turning traffic.
It may be of advantage when main highway is taken along the existing grade
Disadvantage
Drainage problem
The over head structure may resist the vertical sight
No possibility of stage construction for bridge structure
If the highway is taken by depressing it below the ground
level to cross another road by means of an under-bridge
,it is known as under-pass.
GRADE-SEPARATED JUNCTIONS AND INTERCHANGES
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Trumpet interchanges
Trumpet interchanges have been used where one
highway terminates at another highway.
Diamond interchange
A diamond interchange is a common type of road
junction, used where a freeway crosses a minor road.
Cloverleaf interchange
A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange
in which left turns are handles by ramp roads.
GRADE-SEPARATED JUNCTIONS AND INTERCHANGES
Directional interchange
A Directional interchange provides direct paths for left turns.
Interchanges …
Fig. Trumpet Freeway-to-
Freeway Interchange
Reflection Questions
1. What factors need to be considered in the selection of at-grade
junction types?
2. What design control and criteria to be checked during
geometric layout design of a given junction facility?
3. What are the traffic control devices usually used at junction
locations? Mention some of them with their roles
The End.
Thank You