TRANSPORTATION

ENGINEERING I
Chapter 3:Geometric Design

Assistant Professor: Sabina Paudel

Paschimanchal Engineering College
Lamachour
Content
Superelevation
Attainment of super elevation:
1. Elimination of crown of the
chambered section
2. Rotation of pavement to
attain full superelevation
Elimination of crown of the chambered section
Rotation of pavement to attain full superelevation
Radius of Horizontal Curve
𝑣2
𝑅𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 = ; 𝑣 𝑖𝑛 𝑚/𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑒+𝑓 𝑔
𝑉2
𝑅𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 = ; 𝑣 𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑚𝑝ℎ
127 𝑒 + 𝑓
If the minimum design speed is 𝑉 ′ 𝐾𝑚𝑝ℎ, the absolute minimum radius
of horizontal curve is given by;
𝑉 ′2
𝑅𝑚𝑖𝑛 = ; 𝑣 𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑚𝑝ℎ
127 𝑒 + 𝑓
Widening of pavement on Horizontal Curve
As per NRS 2070;
1. When a vehicle negotiates a horizontal curve, the rear wheels does not exactly follow the path
of the front wheels. This is called off tracking. Their path is shifted towards the centre of the
curve in relation to the front wheels path.
2. In curves, the driver of the vehicles have the tendency to keep a greater clearance between
them as compared to the straight section of the road. Psychological tendency to use edge of
travel.
Thus, the required extra widening of the pavement at the horizontal curves, 𝑊𝑒 depends upon two
factors;
1. The length of wheel based of the vehicles l, radius of the curve negotiated R
2. The psychological factor which is a function of the speed of vehicle and radius of curve.
Widening of pavement on Horizontal Curve
𝑊𝑒 = 𝑚𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 + 𝑝𝑠𝑦𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔
𝑉
𝑊𝑒 = 𝑛 ∗ 𝑜𝑓𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 +
2
9.5 𝑅
𝐿 𝑉
𝑊𝑒 = 𝑛 ∗ ( ) +
2𝑅 9.5 𝑅
Where,
n= no of lanes
L= average length of vehicle= 6.1m
V= speed of vehicle in kmph
R= radius of curve in m
On a two lane national highway with design speed of 80 kmph,
the horizontal curve of 120m is to be constructed. What will be
the required widening in m?
On a two lane national highway with design speed of 80 kmph,
calculate the required widening in m, if off tracking value is 0.096
and the length of vehicle is 6.6m?
Find the total width of a two lane pavement on a horizontal curve
for a new national highway to be aligned along a rolling terrain
with a ruling minimum radius. Assume necessary data.
Method of introducing the extra widening
1. Widening on curve with spiral form
If the horizontal curve radius is less than 60 m, extra widening is provided
only on inner side of the curve.
If the horizontal curve radius is between 60 and 300 m, extra widening is
provided equally on both outer & inner side of the curve.
If the horizontal curve radius is greater than 300 m, extra widening is not
required.
If the horizontal curve radius is between 20-30 m in a mountain region, extra
widening is provided only on outer side of the curve.
Method of introducing the extra widening
2. Widening on curve without spiral form
If the horizontal curve radius does not have spiral, extra widening is provided
only on the inner side of the curve.
If the horizontal curve radius does not have transition curves, 2/3 of extra
widening is provided at the straight section (before the start of circular curve)
and remaining 1/3 is provided on the circular curve beyond the tangent point.
Method of introducing the extra widening

Hence, the designed amount of extra widening is introduced gradually starting

from the beginning of transition curve, increase at uniform rate till the full value of
widening is reached at the end of transition curve and confined throughout circular
curve and decreases along the length of transition curve.
Setback distance (m)
• The distance required from the
centre-line of the horizontal curve to
the obstruction on inner side of the
curve to provide adequate sight
distance is called clearance distance
or setback.
• The clearance in the inner side of the
curve to the nearest obstruction is
called setback distance.
• It depends on;
• Required sight distance (S)
• Radius of inner curve (R)
• Length of Curve (L)
Case 1: length of curve is greater than SSD (L>S)
∝
𝑚 = 𝑅 − 𝑅 − 𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ; for multilane
2
Where,
R= radius of curve
d= distance between center of curve to
the center of innermost lane
∝ 𝑆 180
= ∗
2 (𝑅−𝑑) 2𝜋

∝
𝑚 = 𝑅 − 𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠 ; for single lane as d = 0
2
∝ 𝑆 180
= ∗
2 𝑅 2𝜋
Case 2: length of curve is less than SSD (L<S)
∝ 𝑆−𝐿 ∝
𝑚 = 𝑅 − 𝑅 − 𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑠 +( )𝑠𝑖𝑛
2 2 2
Where,
R= radius of curve
d= distance between center of curve to the center of
innermost lane
∝ 𝐿 180
= ∗
2 (𝑅−𝑑) 2𝜋
For a four lane highway with horizontal radius 400m, and length
of curve is 220m.in order to provide SSD of 152m and OSD of
300m respectively, calculate the setback distance required from
innermost lane and from the inner edge.
Transition Curve
A transition curve has a radius which decreases from infinity at the
tangent point to a decreased radius of the circular curve.
When it is provided between a straight road and a circular curve, the
radius of transition curve decreases and becomes minimum at the
beginning of the curve.
Purpose of transition curve;
• For extra widening
• To provide comfort to users
• To reduce the centrifugal effects
• To reduce sudden jerk
• To gradually provide superelevation
Transition Curve
Types of transition curves
1. Spiral or clothoid
2. Bernoulli’s Lemniscate
3. Cubic parabola
Types of transition curves
IRC recommends Spiral or clothoid as the ideal transition curve due to
following reasons:
It satisfies that rate of change of centrifugal acceleration is constant
i.e., Ls.R = constant. Where Ls = length of transition curve R = radius of
curve.
The calculation and field implementation of spiral curve is simple and
easy.
It enhances aesthetics also.
Length of transition curve
The length of transition curve is designed to fulfil three conditions;
1. Rate of change of centrifugal acceleration is to be developed
gradually
2. Rate of introduction of superelevation is to be at a reasonable rate
3. Minimum length by IRC empirical formula should be achieved
Based on rate of change of centrifugal acceleration
𝐿𝑠 = 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒
𝑉 = 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑒ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑚/𝑠
𝑡 = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝐿𝑠 = 𝑉 ∗ 𝑡
𝑉2
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑢𝑔𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐶 =
𝑅∗𝑡
𝑉2 𝑉3
𝐶= =
𝐿𝑠 𝑅𝐿𝑠
𝑅∗ 𝑉
𝑉3
𝐿𝑠 =
𝐶𝑅
If C is not given, then it can be calculated as;
80
𝐶= ; 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑉 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑚𝑝ℎ[0.5 < 𝐶 < 0.8]
75 + 𝑉
𝑉3
𝐿𝑠 =
47𝐶𝑅
Based on introduction of superelevation
𝐿𝑠 = 𝑒𝑁(𝑊 + 𝑊𝑒
𝐿𝑠 = 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒
𝑒 = 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑁 = 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛
𝑊 = 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑊𝑒 = 𝑒𝑥𝑡𝑟𝑎 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔
Condition: Based on providing superelevation
a) If the road is rotated about edge
𝐿𝑠 = 𝑒𝑁(𝑊 + 𝑊𝑒 )
b) If the road is rotated about center line of road
𝑒𝑁(𝑊 + 𝑊𝑒 )
𝐿𝑠 =
2
Empirical formula
For plain and rolling terrain;
𝑉2
𝐿𝑠 = 2.7
𝑅
For mountain and steep terrain;
𝑉2
𝐿𝑠 =
𝑅
Here , V is in Kmph

Adopt the longest value of all three for the length of transition curve.
Few more terms;
Shift;
𝐿𝑠 2
𝑆ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡, 𝑆 =
24𝑅
Spiral angle;
𝐿𝑠
∅=
2𝑅
Total length of curve;
𝐿 = 2𝐿𝑠 + 𝐿𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒
A highway is having a design speed of 90 kmph and the radius of
the circular curve is 250m. The pavement is having a width of 8m
including extra-widening. What should be the length of the
transition curve, if the rate of introduction of superelevation is 1
in 150. assume the pavement is rotated about the edge to attain
superelevation.
While aligning a highway in a built up area, it was necessary to
provide a horizontal circular curve of radius 325 metre. The
design speed is 65 kmph, the length of wheel base of largest truck
is 6m and width of pavement is 10.5m. Design the following
features:
a. superelevation
b. extra-widening of pavement
c. length of transition curve
Calculate the length of transition curve and the shift of the
transition curve using the following data;
Design speed= 65kmph
Radius of circular curve=220m
Pavement width including exra-widening=7.5m
Allowable rate of introduction of superelevation is 1 in 150
The pavement is rotated about the centre line.
Grade compensation
30 + 𝑅 75
Grade Compensation = minimum of % 𝑜𝑟 %
𝑅 𝑅
Where, R is the radius of Horizontal Curve
Note;
Compensated gradient should not be less than 4%
Minimum value of compensated gradient is 4%

Compensated gradient = actual existing gradient − Grade Compensation

Gradient of highway is 1 in 20. a horizontal curve of 150 m radius
is to be constructed in this highway.
A. what will be the grade compensation?
B. what will be the compensated gradient?
Existing gradient of highway is 5%. A horizontal curve of 30m radius is to be
constructed in this highway. What will be the grade compensation?
 Vertical Curve • Grade compensation
• Summit curve
• Valley curve
Types of gradient:
Gradient is the rate of rise or fall
along the length of road with respect 1. Ruling gradient:
to the horizontal. Maximum gradient within which a designer tends to design the
Factors affecting gradient; vertical profile of a road.
1. Topography 2. Limiting gradient:
2. Characteristics of vehicle When the topography compels to adopt steeper gradient then the
ruling gradient, limiting gradient is used. However the length should
3. Design speed be limited and care should be taken to make a smooth transition.
4. Drainage 3. Exceptional gradient:
5. Cross-section In some extraordinary situations, it may be necessary to provide
6. Bridge site more steeper gradient than limiting gradient, such a gradient is
known as exceptional gradient.
Grade compensation
30 + 𝑅 75
Grade Compensation = minimum of % 𝑜𝑟 %
𝑅 𝑅
Where, R is the radius of Horizontal Curve
Note;
Compensated gradient should not be less than 4%
Minimum value of compensated gradient is 4%

Compensated gradient = actual existing gradient − Grade Compensation

Gradient of highway is 1 in 20. a horizontal curve of 150 m radius
is to be constructed in this highway.
A. what will be the grade compensation?
B. what will be the compensated gradient?
Existing gradient of highway is 5%. A horizontal curve of 30m radius is to be
constructed in this highway. What will be the grade compensation?
Summit Curve
They have convexity upwards .
Design Criteria for summit curve
1. For SSD Criteria
Case I: Length of summit curve, L> SSD
𝑁𝑆 2
𝐿=
( 2𝐻 + 2ℎ)2
Where.
N=deviation angle=l 1st gradient-2nd gradient
S= safe stopping sight distance, SSD
H= height of driver’s eye level= 1.2m
h = minimum height of object from the ground= 0.15m

𝑁𝑆 2
𝐿=
4.4
Design Criteria for summit curve
Case II: Length of summit curve, L< SSD
( 2𝐻 + 2ℎ)2
𝐿 = 2𝑆 −
𝑁
Where.
N=deviation angle=l 1st gradient-2nd gradient
S= safe stopping sight distance, SSD
H= height of driver’s eye level= 1.2m
h = minimum height of object from the ground= 0.15m

4.4
𝐿 = 2𝑆 −
𝑁
Design Criteria for summit curve
1. For OSD Criteria
Case I: Length of summit curve, L> OSD
𝑁𝑆 2
𝐿=
( 2𝐻 + 2ℎ)2
Where.
N=deviation angle=l 1st gradient-2nd gradient
S= overtaking sight distance, OSD
H= height of driver’s eye level= 1.2m
h = minimum height of object from the ground= 1.2m

𝑁𝑆 2 𝑁𝑆 2
𝐿= =
8𝐻 9.6
Design Criteria for summit curve
Case II: Length of summit curve, L< OSD
( 2𝐻 + 2ℎ)2
𝐿 = 2𝑆 −
𝑁
Where.
N=deviation angle=l 1st gradient-2nd gradient
S= overtaking sight distance, OSD
H= height of driver’s eye level= 1.2m
h = minimum height of object from the ground= 1.2m

8𝐻 9.6
𝐿 = 2𝑆 − = 2𝑆 −
𝑁 𝑁
On a summit curve, the required SSD is 120m. If the height of driver’s eye is
1.5m and height of obstruction is 0.15m. What should be the minimum
length of summit curve if the deviation angle is 0.09?
A vertical summit curve is formed by an ascending gradient of 4% and a
descending gradient of 3%. If the required SSD is 250m. What should be
the length of summit curve based on SSD criteria?
A gradient of +1% is meeting a gradient of -0.8%. If the minimum sight
distance required is 450m. What should be the length of summit curve
based on OSD criteria?
Valley Curve
They have convexity downwards .
Design Criteria for valley curve
Case I: For comfort Criteria
𝑁𝑉 3
𝐿=2
𝐶
Where.
N=deviation angle=l 1st gradient-2nd gradient
C= rate of change of centrifugal acceleration= 0.6 𝑚/𝑠 3
V= design speed in m/s

𝐿 = 0.38 𝑁𝑉 3
V= design sped in kmph
Design Criteria for valley curve
Case II: For HSD(headlight sight distance) Criteria
1.Length of valley curve, L> HSD
𝑁𝑆 2
𝐿=
(2ℎ + 2𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛 ∝)
Where.
N=deviation angle=l 1st gradient-2nd gradient
S= headlight sight distance, HSD
h = height of headlight= 0.75m
∝ = beam angle of headlight =1%

𝑁𝑆 2
𝐿=
1.5 + 0.035𝑆
Design Criteria for valley curve
Case II: For HSD(headlight sight distance) Criteria
2.Length of valley curve, L< HSD
(2ℎ + 2𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛 ∝)
𝐿 = 2𝑆 −
𝑁
Where.
N=deviation angle=l 1st gradient-2nd gradient
S= headlight sight distance, HSD
h = height of headlight= 0.75m
∝ = beam angle of headlight =1%

1.5 + 0.035𝑆
𝐿 = 2𝑆 −
𝑁
A valley curve has a descending gradient of 1 in 40 and it is meeting a
ascending gradient of 1 in 50. Calculate the length of valley curve required
for a design speed of 80 kmph for comfort condition.
A valley curve is formed at the intersection of two gradients which makes a
deviation angle of 9%, design speed is 100kmph and the required
stopping sight distance is 180m. What is the minimum length of curve to
satisfy the HSD criteria . Assume C=0.6.
A valley curve is formed by a descending grade of 1 in 25 meeting an
ascending grade of 1 in 30. Design the length of valley curve to fulfil both
comfort condition and head light sight distance requirements for a design
speed of 80 kmph. Assume allowable rate of change of centrifugal
acceleration C=o.6m/s^3.