SIGHT DISTANCE

Horizontal Plane

SIGHT DISSTANCE refers to the horizontal distance between the driver’s eyes in each of the
two vehicles approaching to the parabolic curve from opposite directions

SIGHT DISTANCE - Is the length of roadway ahead visible to the driver that
when he saw the object along his way he should stop the vehicle.

The minimum sight distance available in a highway at any spot should be of

sufficient length to stop a vehicle traveling as design speed safely without collision
with any other obstruction.
The absolute minimum sight distance is therefore equal to the stopping sight
distance, which is also sometimes called as non-passing sight distance

1.) Stopping sight distance S is the total distance traveled during three time
intervals
a.) The time for the driver to perceive the hazard.
b.) The time to react.
c.) The time to stop the vehicle after the braked applied.

As shown in Figure 1, Stopping distance is equal to . is the distance traveled

by the vehicle traveling at speed at the time when hazard is perceived and
applied the brake.
The braking situation may be on horizontal or sloping road condition. Based on
national safety council, average reaction time is seconds.

(a) (a)
Figure 1

The traveled distance is S = Vt + D

When the car is moving at velocity V, after seeing an object ahead of him it will take
him t seconds before applying brake and it will take him to travel distance Vt.

= perception time, approximately secs

distance travel after applying brake

 It depends upon the speed and type of pavement, the coefficient of friction
should be considered.

Prepared by Dr. Rodel C.Angkahan 1

Using work – energy equation in solving for breaking distance D.

Figure 2

Safe Stopping Distance

1.) Distance travelled during perception plus brake reaction time

d = Vt
V = running speed in kph
t = reaction time
t = perception time + action time
t = 1.5 + 1
t = 2.5 sec

2.) Distance required for stopping after brakes are applied (breaking distance).

Figure 3

At point A when the driver applied a full brake to the vihicle, the vihicle will travel
a distance due to its velocity but due to friction between the tire and the road
surface the vehicle will top to B. AB is the breaking distance
Applying work and energy equation

Positive work–Negative work = ( – V12)

But Positive is zero, and on the stop condition

0 – DF = ( 0 – V12)

DfN =

Prepared by Dr. Rodel C.Angkahan 2

But N = W
D=

D= if the vehicle is moving on Horizontal plane

if the vehicle is moving on certain grade

+G -G

Use +G if the road is going upward Use -G if the road is going downward

Safe stopping distance = d + D

Where:
S = Stopping sight distance
t = perception-reaction time in seconds
V = velocity of vehicle in meter per second
f = coefficient of friction between tire and
pavement
G = grade line of road

2.) Passing Sight Distance (When overtaking)

Simply put, the passing sight distance is the length of roadway that the driver of
the passing vehicle must be able to see initially, in order to make a passing
maneuver safely.

The real goal is to provide most drivers with a sight distance that gives them a
feeling of safety and that encourages them to pass slower vehicles.

Calculating the passing sight distance required for a given roadway is best
accomplished using a simple model. The model that is normally used incorporates
three vehicles, and is based on six assumptions:

1.) The vehicle being passed travels at a constant speed throughout the passing
maneuver.
2.) The passing vehicle follows the slow vehicle into the passing section.
3.) Upon entering the passing section, the passing vehicle requires some time to
perceive that the opposing lane is clear and to begin accelerating.
4.) While in the left lane, the passing vehicle travels at an average speed that is 10
mph faster than the vehicle being passed.
5.) An opposing vehicle is coming toward the passing vehicle.
6.) There is an adequate clearance distance between the passing vehicle and the
opposing vehicle when the passing vehicle returns to the right lane.
Prepared by Dr. Rodel C.Angkahan 3
Under these assumptions, the passing sight distance can be divided into four
quantifiable portions:

Passing sight distance is the shortest distance coefficient for vehicle to turn out of a
traffic lane, pass another vehicle, and turn back to the same lane safely and
comfortably without interfering the overtaken vehicle or an on incoming vehicle
traveling at the design speed should it come into view after the passing maneuver is
started.

Figure 4

S = is the passing sight distance,

= distance between vehicle that will overtake and the opposing vehicle before
overtaking will come up

These could happened in two phases

First Phase- When the driver will overtake the second car

Figure 5

The distance the passing vehicle travels while contemplating the passing
maneuver, while accelerating ot the point of encroachment on the left lane

Second phase - When vehicle occupied the other lane and return original lane

Figure 6

The length of roadway that is traversed by the passing vehicle while it occupies
the left lane and return to right lane

Prepared by Dr. Rodel C.Angkahan 4

 - The clearance distance between the passing vehicle and the opposing vehicle
when the passing vehicle returns to the right lane.
- the clearance length, the distance between the opposing vehicle and the
overtaking vehicle when it return to right lane

The distance that opposing vehicle travels traveled by the opposite vehicle when
the passing vehicle return to right lane.

Movement of vehicles from time to time for two phases

Figure 7

To determine see the AASHTO Policy on Geometric Design of

Highway and Streets and/or Section 47-2 of BDE Manual

 Total Passing Sight Distance (PSD) = d1 + d2 +d3 + d4

 Minimum Passing Sight Distance = 2d2/3 + d3 + d4 = 5d2/3 + d4
 Elements of Total Passing Sight Distance
1. Preliminary delay d1 = 0.278t1 (V – m + at1/2)
m = 8 kph to 16 kph t1 = 0.75 to 2.5 sec (AASHTO)
a= 2.0 to 2.5 khp/sec 2.90 to 4.5 sec (DPWH)
2. Occupation at left lane (d2) = 0.278 Vt2
T2 = 9.3 to 10.4 sec(AASHTO) ; 7.6 to 11.4 sec (DPWH)
3. Clearance length (d3) = 30 m to 90 m (AASTHO) ; 15 m to 80 m (DPWH)
4. Opposite vehicle (d4) = 2/3(d2)

Prepared by Dr. Rodel C.Angkahan 5

 Table 1

Where these upgrades are encountered in the design of the project, take this into account when
selecting the appropriate passing sight distances.

 Stopping Sight Distance (SSD) = 0.278V t + V2 / {254.275(f ± G)

t =0.75 sec to2.5 sec (AASHTO) fmax = side-friction (0.12) : (0.29 to 0.40)
G = + g1 (summit) ; G = - g1 (sag) ; G = 0 ( horizontal plane)

Prepared by Dr. Rodel C.Angkahan 6