Chapter 4: Geometric Design of Highway 2017E.

Chapter 4: Geometric Design of Highways

Geometric design
 Geometric design is process where the dimension and layouts of roads are designed to meet the
needs of the road users. The safe, efficient and economic operation of highway is largely
determined by the geometric design.
 Geometric design refers to the dimensions and arrangements of the visible features of a
roadway. These features include: pavement widths, horizontal and vertical alignment, slopes,
channelization, and intersections.
 The goal of geometric design is to provide maximum safety and traffic efficiency at a reasonable
cost. Proper geometric design can help reduce accidents and their severity
 Geometric roadway design consists of three main parts:
a) cross section (lanes and shoulders, curbs, medians, roadside slopes and ditches,
sidewalks);
b) horizontal alignment (tangents and curves); and
c) Vertical alignment (grades and vertical curves).
 Geometric design standards for roads and streets should consider the following principles:
 Accessibility: People should be able to move safely and easily through the city.
 Ecology: Streets should be climate resilient and minimize their impact on the natural
environment.
 Social concerns: Streets should meet the access needs of local communities, the elderly, and
people with disabilities.
 Factors to be considered in geometric design:
 The road should aim at long service year
 Due consideration should be given to avoid faulty designs which may need large costs of
rectify.
 Design should be consistent with standard
 Design should include items such as road signs, lighting, intersection, etc.
 The design should also consider safety elements.
 The design should consider both initial construction costs and operation costs.
 Some other factors to consider in geometric design include:
 Sight distances: The distance a driver can see at night while driving under the illumination of
their headlights.
 Curvature: The appropriate vertical and horizontal curvature of the road.
 Super elevation: A physical feature of the road
4.1. Appropriate Geometric Standards

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Chapter 4: Geometric Design of Highway 2017E.C

The needs of road users in developing countries are often very different from those in the
industrialized countries.
In developing countries,
 Important components of the traffic mix, even on major roads are pedestrians, animal-drawn
carts, etc., are often.
 Lorries and buses often represent the largest proportion of the motorized traffic, while traffic
composition in the industrialized countries is dominated by the passenger car.
 As a result, there may be less need for high-speed roads in developing countries and
 It will often be more appropriate to provide wide and strong shoulders.
 Traffic volumes on most rural roads in developing countries are also relatively low. Thus,
providing a road with high geometric standards may not be economic, since transport cost
savings may not offset construction costs.
 The requirements for wide carriageways, flat gradients and full overtaking sight distance may
therefore be inappropriate. Also, in countries with weak economies, design levels of comfort
used in industrialized countries may well be a luxury that cannot be afforded.
When developing appropriate geometric design standards for a particular road in a developing
country, the first step should normally be to identify the objective of the road project. It is
convenient to define the objective in terms of three distinct stages of development as follows:
 Stage 1 - Provision of access:- provide appropriate access to the rural agricultural, commercial, and
population centers served
 Stage 2 - Provision of additional capacity
 Stage 3 - Increase of operational efficiency
The principal design criteria are traffic volume, design speed, sight distances, vehicle size, and
vehicle mix
Developing countries, by their very nature, will usually not be at stage 3 of this sequence; indeed
most will be at the first stage. However, design standards currently in use are generally developed
for countries at stage 3 and they have been developed for roads carrying relatively large volumes
of traffic. For convenience, these same standards have traditionally been applied to low-volume
roads that lead to uneconomic and technically inappropriate designs.
4.2. Rural access roads are classified into three groups.
1. Access roads
 are the lowest level in the network hierarchy.
 Vehicular flows will be very light and will be aggregated in the collector road network.
 Geometric standards may be low and need only be sufficient to provide appropriate access
to the rural agricultural, commercial, and population centers served.
 Substantial proportions of the total movements are likely to be by non-motorized traffic.

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2. Collector roads
 have the function of linking traffic to and from rural areas, either direct to adjacent urban
centers, or to the arterial road network.
 Traffic flows and trip lengths will be of an intermediate level and the need for high
geometric standards is therefore less important.
3. Arterial road
 It is the main routes connecting national and international centers.
 Trip lengths are likely to be relatively long and
 Levels of traffic flow and speed relatively high.
 Geometric standards need to be adequate to enable efficient traffic operation under these
conditions, in which vehicle-to-vehicle interactions may be high.
 Their primary function is to deliver traffic from collector roads to freeways or
expressways. Arterial roads are often divided into major and minor arterials, and rural and
urban arterials
4.3. Design Controls and Criteria
The elements of design are influenced by a wide variety of design controls, engineering criteria,
and project specific objectives. Such factors include the following:
 Functional classification of the roadway
 Projected traffic volume and composition
 Required design speed
 Topography of the surrounding land
 Capital costs for construction
 Human sensory capacities of roadway users
 Vehicle size and performance characteristics
 Traffic safety considerations
 Environmental considerations
 Right-of-way impacts and costs

The functional class of a proposed facility is largely determined by the volume and composition
of the traffic to be served. It is also related to the type of service that a highway will accommodate
and the speed that a vehicle will travel while being driven along a highway.
The principal design criteria are traffic volume, design speed, sight distances, vehicle size, and
vehicle mix.
4.3.1. Design Speed and Design Class
The assumed design speed for a highway may be considered as ―the maximum safe speed that
can be maintained over a specified section of a highway when conditions are so favorable
that the design features govern.
The choice of design speed will depend primarily on the surrounding terrain and the

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functional class of the highway. Other factors determining the selection of design speed include
traffic volume, costs of right-of-way and construction, and aesthetic consideration.
It is therefore recommended that the basic parameters of road function, terrain type and traffic
flow are defined initially. On the basis of these parameters, a design class is selected, while
design speed is used only as an index which links design class to the design parameters of sight
distance and curvature to ensure that a driver is presented with a reasonably consistent speed
environment.
Table 3.1 shows the design classes and design speeds recommended in ERA Geometric Design
Manual, 2013 in relation to road function, volume of traffic and terrain. The table also contains
recommended standards for carriageway and shoulder width and maximum gradient.

Table 3.1: Road Classification, AADT, Carriageway Widths and Design Speeds according to
ERA Geometric Design Manual, 2013.

The geometric design elements of a road depend on the transverse terrain through which the road
passes. Transverse terrain properties are categorized into four classes as follows:
 Flat:
 Rolling: Mountainous:
 Escarpment:
 Flat or Level terrain: 0-10 five-meter contours per kilometer; the transverse slopes
perpendicular to the ground contours are generally below 3%. Flat or gently rolling country,
which offers few obstacles to the construction of a road, having continuously unrestricted
horizontal and vertical alignment (transverse terrain slope up to 5 percent).
 Rolling terrain: 11-25 five-meter contours per kilometer; the transverse slopes perpendicular
to the ground contours are generally between 3% - 25%. Rolling, hilly or foothill country

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where the slopes generally rise and fall moderately and where occasional steep slopes are
encountered, resulting in some restrictions in alignment (transverse terrain slope from 5 percent
to 25 percent).
 Mountainous terrain: 26-50 five-meter contours per kilometer; the transverse slopes
perpendicular to the ground contours are generally above 25%. Rugged, hilly and mountainous
country and river gorges. This class of terrain imposes definite restrictions on the standard of
alignment obtainable and often involves long steep grades and limited sight distance
(transverse terrain slope from 25 percent to 50 percent).
 Escarpment terrain: greater than 50 five-meter contours per kilometer; the transverse slopes
perpendicular to the ground contours are generally above 50%. In addition to the terrain
classes given above, a fourth class is added to cater to those situations whereby the standards
associated with each of the above terrain types cannot be met. We refer to escarpment
situations inclusive of switchback roadway sections, or side hill transverse sections where
earthwork quantities are considerable, with transverse terrain slope in excess of 50 percent).

Topography plays important roles in the location and design of highways. Design elements should be
related to specific terrain or relief. For example, in mountain area the design speed is lower than the
speed in the plain area. Topography also affects alignment, gradient, sight distance and type of road
cross sections.
In general, construction costs will be greater as the terrain becomes more difficult and higher
standards will become less justifiable or achievable in such situations than for roads in either flat or
rolling terrain. Drivers accept lower standards in such conditions and therefore adjust their driving
accordingly, so minimizing accident risk. Design speed will therefore vary with transverse terrain.
Sight Distance
The driver‘s ability to see ahead contributes to safe and efficient operation of the road. Ideally,
geometric design should ensure that at all times any object on the pavement surface is visible to the
driver within normal eye-sight distance. However, this is not usually feasible because of
topographical and other constraints, so it is necessary to design roads on the basis of lower, but safe,
sight distances.
Sight distance is the length of the road which is visible to the driver. There are five types of sight
distances considered in ERA Geometric Design manual, 2013, listed below, so that a safe maneuver
is applied by drivers.
 Stopping sight distance;

 Meeting sight distance;

 Passing sight distance.

 Decision sight distance: stopping sight distances are in adequate in unusual manuevering

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actions and unexpected conditions. In such circumstances, the decision sight distance provides
the greater that the drivers need.
 Intersection sight distance: is the required sight distance to apply different manuevering
techniques when approaching an intersection with buildings and development structures at
corners of intersections.

Stopping Sight Distance:

A stopping sight distance is the available safe stopping distance for vehicles to stop before
causing any damage in emergency conditions. The sight of the driver is affected mainly by the
height of driver‘s eye above the road surface and height of the object above the road surface. The
higher the two heights the larger the available sight distance. ERA Geometric Design Manual,
2013, takes 1.05m height of driver‘s eye above the road surface and 0.32m height of object above
road surface.
Factors affecting SSD
 Speed of the vehicle
 Perception-reaction time
 Coefficient of road friction
 Gradient on the road
 Acceleration and deceleration of vehicle
 Vehicular characteristics

The Stopping sight distance comprises two elements:

1. d1 (lag distance) = the distance travelled from the instant the object is sighted to the
moment the brakes are applied (the perception and reaction time, also referred as the total
reaction time) and
2. d2 (the braking distance) = the distance traversed while braking.
The total reaction time depends on the physical and mental characteristics of the driver,
atmospheric visibility, types and condition of the road and distance to, size colour and shape of the
hazard. When drivers are keenly as in urban conditions with high traffic intensity, the reaction time
may be in the range of 0.5 - 1.0 seconds while driver reaction time is generally around 2 - 4
seconds for normal driving in rural conditions. ERA Geometric Design Manual, 2013 generally
takes a perception reaction time of 2.5 sec.

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The distance travelled before the brakes are applied is:

𝑑1 = (1000/3600)*𝑉*𝑡 = 0. 278 *𝑉*𝑡, Where: d1 = total reaction distance in m;
V = initial vehicle speed in Km/h
t = reaction time in sec.
The braking distance, d2, is dependent on vehicle condition and characteristics, the coefficient
of friction between tyre and road surface, the gradient of the road and the initial vehicle speed.

𝑑2 =
2
V
g
254( f + )
100
Where: d2 = breaking distance in meters;
V = initial vehicle speed in km/h;
f = coefficient of longitudinal friction between tyres and road surface whose values
given in table 3.2, according to ERA Geometric manual, 2013;
g = gradient (in %; positive if uphill and negative if downhill)

Safe Stopping Sight Distance =0. 278 *𝑉*𝑡+

2
V
g
254( f + )
100

It is important to note that the values given in the following table are determined for dry weather
condition, so larger sight distances should be considered for unfavourable conditions.
Table 3.2: Stopping and passing sight distances for paved roads

Meeting Sight Distance:

Meeting sight distance is the distance required to enable the drivers of two vehicles traveling in
opposite directions to bring their vehicles to a safe stop after becoming visible to each other.
Meeting sight distance is normally calculated as twice the minimum stopping sight distance.

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Passing/ Overtaking Sight Distance:

In a two-way two-lane roads in which slower and faster moving vehicles travel, the faster moving
vehicles tend to pass the slower moving vehicles. The passing or overtaking sight distance is the
distance that should be available to a driver for passing or overtaking another slowly moving
vehicle safely without affecting the speed of an oncoming vehicle traveling in the opposite
direction with the design speed.
Factors affecting passing (overtaking) sight distance are the judgment of overtaking drivers, the
speed and size of overtaken vehicles, the acceleration capabilities of overtaking vehicles, and the
speed of oncoming vehicles. The following assumptions are made concerning driver behavior in
passing maneuvers in AASHTO Green Book 2001.
1. The overtaken vehicle travels at uniform speed.
2. The passing vehicle has reduced speed and trails/ follows the overtaken vehicle as it enters
a passing section.
3. When the passing section is reached, the passing driver needs a short period of time to
perceive the clear passing section and to react to start his or her maneuver.
4. Passing is accomplished under what may be termed a delayed start and a hurried return in
the face of opposing traffic. The passing vehicle accelerates during the maneuver, and its
average speed during the occupancy of the left lane is 15 km/h [10 mph] higher than that
of the overtaken vehicle.
5. When the passing vehicle returns to its lane, there is a suitable clearance length between it
and an oncoming vehicle in the other lane.
The minimum passing sight distance for two-lane highways is determined as the sum of the
following four distances as shown in figure 2.1:
 d1—Distance traversed during perception and reaction time and during the initial
acceleration to the point of encroachment on the left lane.
 d2—Distance traveled while the passing vehicle occupies the left lane.
 d3—Distance between the passing vehicle at the end of its maneuver and the opposing
vehicle.
 d4—Distance traversed by an opposing vehicle for two-thirds of the time the passing
vehicle occupies the left lane, or 2/3 of d2 above

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Figure 3.1: Elements of Passing Sight Distance for Two-Lane Highways

i. Initial maneuver distance (d1): The distance d1 traveled during the initial maneuver period is
computed with the following equation;

Where
t1 = time of initial manoeuvres, s
a = average acceleration, km/h/s
v = average speed of passing vehicle, km/h
m = difference in speed of passed vehicle and passing vehicle, km/h
ii. Distance while passing vehicle occupies left lane (d2): is computed with the following equation;

d2= 0.278 v.t2

Where
t2= time passing vehicle occupies left lane, s
v = average speed of passing vehicle, km/h
d3 = safe clearance distance between vehicles at the end of the manoeuvres, and is
dependent on ambient speeds as per Table 7.5:
d4= distance traversed by the opposing vehicle, which is approximately equal to d2 minus
the portion of d2 whereby the passing vehicle is entering the left lane, estimated as:
d4 = 2d2/3
iii. Clearance length (d3): The clearance length between the opposing and passing vehicles at
the end of the passing maneuvers was found in the passing study to vary from 30 to 75 m.
This length, adjusted somewhat for practical consistency, is shown as the clearance length
d3 in table 3.3.
Table 3.3: Clearance Distance (d3) for Different Ambient Speeds

iv. Distance traversed by an opposing vehicle (d4): distance traversed by the opposing
vehicle, which is approximately equal to d2 minus the portion of d2 whereby the passing
vehicle is entering the left lane, estimated as ;

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𝑑4 = 2𝑑2/3.
The minimum passing sight distance (PSD) for design is:

𝑃𝑆𝐷 = 𝑑1 + 𝑑2 + 𝑑3 + 𝑑4

The resulting minimum sight distances for passing are as indicated in the sixth main column of
table 3.2, of ERA Geometric Design Manual, 2013. However, the preferable or desirable PSD at
40km/hr is 15% greater than the values quoted in the table, rising to 40% greater at 120 km/hr.

Traffic Volume

Information on traffic volumes, traffic composition and traffic loading are important factors in the
determination of the appropriate standard of a road. The traffic has a major impact on the
selection of road class, and consequently on all geometric design elements. The traffic
information is furthermore necessary for the pavement design.
For low volume roads the design control is the Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) in the
―design year‖. For routes with large seasonal variations the design control is the Average Daily
Traffic (ADT) during the peak months of the ―design year‖. The design year is usually selected as
year 10 after the year of opening to traffic.

Design Vehicle

The dimensions of the motor vehicles that will utilize the proposed facility also influence the
design of a roadway project. The width of the vehicle naturally affects the width of the traffic
lane; the vehicle length has a bearing on roadway capacity and affects the turning radius; the
vehicle height affects the clearance of the various structures. Vehicle weight affects the structural
design of the roadway.
The design engineer will select for design the largest vehicle that is expected to use the roadway
facility in significant numbers on a daily basis.
Geometric Design Elements
The basic elements of geometric design are: the horizontal alignment, the vertical alignment and
the cross-section. The following elements must be considered when carrying out the geometric
design of a road:
I. Horizontal Alignment:
- Straights or Tangents
- Horizontal Curves (including Circular, Compound, Reverse and Broken-back Curves
- Super elevation
- Transition Curve Parameters
- Widening
- Set-back Distance

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II. Vertical Alignment:

- Maximum gradient;
- Length of maximum gradient;
- Minimum passing sight distance or stopping sight distance on summit (crest) curves;
- Length of sag curves.
III. Cross-section:
- Width of carriageway;
- Cross-fall of carriageway;
- Rate of super elevation;
- Widening of bends;
- Width of shoulder;
- Cross-fall of shoulder;
- Width of structures;
- Width of right-of-way;
- Cut and fill slopes and ditch cross-section.

Horizontal and vertical alignment should not be designed independently. They complement each
other and proper combination of horizontal and vertical alignment, which increases road utility and
safety, encourages uniform speed, and improves appearance, can almost always be obtained
without additional costs.
Horizontal Alignment
The horizontal alignment should always be designed to the highest standard consistent with the
topography and be chosen carefully to provide good drainage and minimize earthworks. The
alignment design should also be aimed at achieving a uniform operating speed. Therefore the
standard of alignment selected for a particular section of road should extend throughout the section
with no sudden changes from easy to sharp curvature. Where a sharp curvature is unavoidable, a
sequence of curves of decreasing radius is recommended.
The horizontal alignment consists of a series of intersecting tangents and circular curves, with or
without transition curves.
Straights (Tangents)
Long straights should be avoided, as they are monotonous for drivers and cause headlight dazzle on
straight grades. A more pleasing appearance and higher road safety can be obtained by a winding
alignment with tangents deflecting some 5 – 10 degrees alternately to the left and right. Short
straights between curves in the same direction should not be used because of the broken back
effect. In such cases where a reasonable tangent length is not attainable, the use of long,
transitions or compound curvature should be considered.

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The following guidelines may be applied concerning the length of straights:

 Straights should not have lengths greater than (20 * V) meters, where V is the design
speed in km/h.
 Straights between circular curves turning in the same direction should have lengths greater
than (6*V) meters, where V is the design speed in km/h.
 Straights between the end and the beginning of untransitioned reverse circular curves
should have lengths greater than two-thirds of the total Super elevation run-off.
Horizontal Curves
Circular Curves
Horizontal curvature design is one of the most important features influencing the efficiency and
safety of a highway. Improper design will result in lower speeds and lowering of highway
capacity.

Figure 3.2: Parts of a Circular Curve

Note:
 PC - point of curvature
 PI - point of intersection
 PT - point of tangency
 Δ – central angle
 R – radius of curve

 D – degree of curve that defines,

 Central angle which subtends 20m arc (arc definition),
𝑅 = 1145. 916 / 𝐷
 Central angle which subtends 20m chord (Chord definition)
𝑅 = 10 / 𝑆i𝑛 (𝐷/2)
 Tangent (T): distance from PC to PI(backward tangent) or from PT to PI(forward tangent)

𝑇 = 𝑅 * 𝑡𝑎𝑛 (Δ/2)

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 External distance (E): distance from PI to middle of curve.

𝐸 = 𝑅 * (𝑆𝑒𝑐 (Δ/2) – 1) or 𝐸 = 𝑇 * 𝑡𝑎𝑛 (Δ/4)

 Middle ordinate (M): length from the middle of chord to the middle of curve.

𝑀= * (1 − 𝐶𝑜𝑠 (Δ/2))
 Long chord(C): straight-line distance from A to B.

𝐶 = 2𝑅 * 𝑆i𝑛 (Δ/2)
 Length of Curve (Lc): distance from PC to PT along the curve.

𝐿𝑐 = 20 * Δ/𝐷 or 𝐿𝑐 = 𝑅 * 𝜋 * Δ/180
 Sub-arc angles di: are angles subtended by an arc less than the degree of curve (D).

𝑑i = 𝐴i * 𝐷/20, where: di = angle subtended by sub-arc of length

Ai Ai = arc less than 20m.
 Sub chord angle (dj): are angles subtended by a chord less than the degree of curve (D).

𝐶j = 2𝑅 * 𝑆i𝑛(𝑑j/2),

Also, 𝐶j = 20 * 𝑆i(𝑑j/2)/𝑆i𝑛(𝐷/2), where: dj = angle subtended by sub-chord of length

cj
Cj = chord less than 20m.
 Deflection angles: The angle that a chord deflects from a tangent to a circular curve is
measured by half of the intercepted arc.
• Deflection angle for Lc (m) = Δ/2
• Deflection angle for 20(m) = D/2
• Deflection angle for Ai (m) = di/2

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 Stations of PC, PI, and PT:

PC = PI – T
P T = PC + Lc or PT = PI + T
Compound Curves, Broken Back Curves, and Reverse Curve

Several variations of the circular curve deserve consideration when developing the horizontal
alignment for a highway design. When two curves in the same direction are connected with a
short tangent, this condition is referred to as a ‗broken back’ arrangement of curves. This type of
alignment should be avoided except where very unusual topographical or right-of-way conditions
dictate otherwise. Highway engineers generally consider the broken back alignment to be
unpleasant and awkward and prefer spiral transitions or a compound curve alignment with
continuous Super elevation for such conditions.

Figure 3.3: Reverse Curves, Broken-back Curves, and Compound Curves

Figure 3.4 identifies elements of a typical compound highway curve with variable definitions and
basic equations developed for a larger and smaller radius curve, based on the assumption that the
radius dimensions RL and RS and central angles ΔL and ΔS are given or have been previously
determined.

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Figure 3.4: Properties of a Compound Curve

Another important variation of the circular highway curve is the use of reverse curves, which are
adjacent curves that curve in opposite directions. The alignment illustrated in figure 3.3, which
shows a point of reverse curvature, PRC, and no tangent separating the curves, would be suitable
only for low-speed roads such as those in mountainous terrain. A sufficient length of tangent
between the curves should usually be provided to allow removal of the Super elevation from the
first curve and attainment of adverse Super elevation for the second curve.

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Figure 3.5: Properties of a Reverse Curve

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Super elevation

Any object moving rapidly along a curved path is subjected to an outward reactive force called the
centrifugal force. If the surface is flat, the vehicle is held in the curved path by side friction between
tires and pavement. The total of these friction forces balances the centrifugal force. Expressed in
terms of the coefficient of friction f and the normal forces between
the pavement and the tires, the relationship is;

(𝒎 * 𝒗𝟐)/ 𝑹 = (𝑵𝑳 + 𝑵𝑹) * 𝒇 = 𝒎 * 𝒈 * 𝒇

Or, 𝒇 = 𝒗𝟐 / (𝒈 * 𝑹)

Figure 3.6: Forces acting on a vehicle moving along a curved path.

When velocity v (m/s) is stated in V (Km/h), and the radius of curve (R) in meters, the equation
reduces to;

𝑓 = 𝑉 2/ (127 * 𝑅)
On highway curves, this centrifugal force acts through the center of mass of the vehicle and
creates an overturning moment about the points of contact between the outer wheels and the
pavement. But a stabilizing (resisting) moment is created by the weight acting through the center
of mass. Thus for equilibrium conditions,
(𝑚 * 𝑣2 / 𝑅) * ℎ = 𝑚 * 𝑔 * 𝑑/2, and

ℎ = 𝑑 / (2𝑣2 / 𝑔𝑅) = / 2𝑓
Where, h = height of the center of mass above pavement and d = lateral width between the
wheels.
For the moment equation, if f = 0.5, then the height to the center of mass must be greater than the
lateral distance between the wheels before overturning takes place. Modern passenger vehicles
have low center of mass so that relatively high values of f have to be developed before
overturning takes place. In practice, the frictional value is usually sufficiently low for sliding to
take place before overturning. It is only with certain commercial vehicles having high center of
mass that the problem of overturning may arise.
In order to resist the outward acting centrifugal force, and to enable vehicles to round curves at
design speed without discomfort to their occupants, the pavements are ―tilted‖ or ―superelevated.
so that the outer edges are higher than the inner edges. This tilting, plus frictional resistance

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between the tires and the pavement provides a horizontal resistance to the centrifugal forces
generated by the circular movement of the vehicle around a curve.
Analysis of the forces acting on a vehicle as it moves around a curve of constant radius indicates
that the theoretical super elevation can be expressed as:
𝑒 + 𝑓 = 𝑉2 / (127 * 𝑅) ……………………………… (*)
Where: e = rate of super elevation (m per m)
f = side friction factor (or coefficient of lateral friction)
V = speed (Km/hr)
R = radius of curvature (m)
Equation (*) above is the basic equation relating the speed of vehicles, the radius of curve, the
super elevation and the coefficient of lateral friction. This equation forms the basis of design of
horizontal curves.
If the entire centrifugal force is counteracted by the super elevation, frictional force will not be
called into play. Proper design does not normally take full advantage of the obtainable lateral
coefficients of friction, since the design should not be based on a condition of incipient sliding. In
design, engineers use only a portion of the friction factor, accounting for the comfort and safety of
the vast majority of drivers.
From equation (*), the minimum radius or maximum degree of curvature for a given design speed
can be determined from the rate of super elevation and side friction factor.

𝑅= 2
/ (127 * (𝑒 + 𝑓))

𝐷 = 1145. 916 / 𝑅.
Maximum Super elevation Value (emax)

If equation (*) is to be used for design, it is desirable to know the maximum super elevation that
can be permitted. Practice in this regard varies from country to country. According to ERA
Geometric Design Manual, 2013:
 emax = 8% for rural roads and
 emax = 4% for urban roads.

Value of Coefficient of Lateral Friction (f)

The value of coefficient of lateral friction depends upon a number of factors, chief among them
being the vehicle speed, type and condition of roadway surfaces, and type and condition of the
tyres.

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Table 3.4: Minimum Radii for Horizontal Curves for Paved Roads

The side friction is considerably less than the longitudinal friction coefficient. Its value decreases
as speed increases. According to ERA Geometric Design Manual, 2013, the recommended side
friction values for all design speeds are presented in Table 3.4, with the respective minimum radii
for 4%, 6%, 8% & 10% super elevations.
Attainment of Super elevation

The transition from a tangent, normal crown section to a curved superelevated section must be
accompanied without any appreciable reduction in speed and in such a manner as to ensure safety
and comfort to the occupants of the traveling vehicle.
The normal cambered surface on a straight reach of road is changed into a superelevated surface
into two stages. In the first stage, the outer half of the camber is gradually raised until it is level.
In the second stage, three methods may be adopted to attain the full super-elevation.
i. The surface of the road is rotated about the centerline of the carriageway, gradually lowering
the inner edge and raising the upper edge, keeping the level of the centerline constant.
ii. The surface of the road is rotated about the inner edge, raising the center and the outer edge.
iii. The surface of the road is rotated about the outer edge depressing the center and the outer
edge.

iv. Method (i) is the most generally used.

v. The distance required for accomplishing the transition from a normal to a superelevated
section, commonly referred to as the transition runoff, is a function of the design speed and
the rate of Super elevation.

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Figure 3.7: Circular Curve Transition

Super elevation is usually started on the tangent at some distance before the curve starts, and the
full Super elevation is generally reached beyond the point of curvature (PC) of the curve. In
curves with transitions, the Super elevation can be attained within the limits of the spiral.

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Figure 3.8: Spiral Curve Transition

Example:

Figure 3.8: Example of Super elevation diagram in a circular curve with a transition
curve, showing roadway cross sections.
Transition Curves
Transition curves provide a gradual change from the tangent section to the circular curve and vice
versa. For most curves, drivers can follow a transition path within the limits of a normal lane
width, and a spiral transition in the alignment is not necessary. However, along high-speed
roadways with sharp curvature, transition curves may be needed to prevent drivers from
encroaching into adjoining lanes.
A curve known as the Euler spiral or clothoid is commonly used in highway design. The radius of
the spiral varies from infinity at the tangent end to the radius of the circular arc at the end of the

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Chapter 4: Geometric Design of Highway 2017E.C

spiral. The radius of the spiral at any point is inversely proportional to the distance from its
beginning point.

Figure 3.9: Main Elements of A Circular Curve Provided with Spiral Transitions
Note:
θs = spiral angle Ts = tangent distance from TS to PI
Δ = total central angle Es = external distance
Δc = central angle of the circular arc P = shift of the circular portion of the curve
extending from BC to EC = Δ - 2 θs inwards, so that it no longer fits to the
θ = deflection angle of points on spiral curve original tangents, measured perpendicular
Rc = radius of circular curve from the original tangents

L = length of spiral from starting point to any HIP = horizontal intersection point
point on spiral BS = beginning of spiral
R = radius of curvature of the spiral at a point BC = beginning of circular curve
L distant from starting point. EC = end of circular curve
T‘ = tangent distance from SC to PI ES = end of spiral curve

Some of the important properties of the spirals are given below:

 𝜃𝑠 = 𝐿𝑠 / 2𝑅𝑐 (in radians) = 28. 65𝐿𝑠 / 𝑅𝑐 (in degrees)

 𝑃 = 𝑌𝑠 − 𝑅𝑐 * (1 − cos(𝜃𝑠) = 𝐿𝑠2/ 24𝑅𝑐
 𝐾 = 𝑋𝑠 − 𝑅𝑐 * 𝑠i𝑛 (𝜃𝑠) = 𝐿𝑠/2
 𝑇𝑠 = 𝐿𝑠 /2 + (𝑅𝑐 + 𝑃) * 𝑡𝑎𝑛(Δ/2)
 𝐸𝑠 = (𝑅𝑐 + 𝑆) * 𝑠𝑒𝑐(Δ/2) − 𝑅𝑐
 𝐿 = 2𝑅𝜃
 𝜃 = (𝐿/𝐿𝑠)2 * 𝜃𝑠

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Length of Transition
The length of transition should be determined from the following two conditions:
a) The rate of change of centrifugal acceleration adopted in the design should not cause
discomfort to the drivers. If C is the rate of change of acceleration,

𝐿𝑠 = 0. 0215𝑉3 / (𝐶 * 𝑅𝑐)
Where: Ls = minimum length of spiral (m), V = speed (Km/hr), Rc = radius of the circular curve
(m), and C = rate of increase of centripetal acceleration (m/s3), 1 to 3 m/s3
b) The rate of change of Super elevation (Super elevation application ratio) should be such as
not to cause higher gradients and unsightly appearances. Since Super elevation can be given
by rotating about the centerline, inner edge or outer edge, the length of the transition will be
governed accordingly.
More commonly, Super elevation transition lengths for highways are based on appearance or
comfort criteria. One such criterion is a rule that the difference in longitudinal slope (grade, Δ𝑔)
between the centerline and edge of traveled way of a two-lane highway should not exceed 1/200.

Figure 3.10: Difference in grade resulting from Super elevation transition

Figure 3.9 illustrates the application of this rule. L is measured from the TS to the SC, as in the
Super elevation diagram. At the TS the difference in elevation between the centerline and edge is
zero. At the SC it is the Super elevation rate e times the distance D from the centerline to the

𝐷*𝑒
edge. Thus the difference in grade between the centerline and the edge is

Δ𝑔 =
𝐿

𝐷*𝑒 1
Since the criterion that the difference in grade not exceed 1/200 implies that

≤
𝐿 20
L is given by; 0
𝐿 ≥ 200 * 𝐷 * 𝑒
L is normally rounded up to some convenient length, such as a multiple of 20m.

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Widening of Curves
Extra width of pavement may be necessary on curves. As a vehicle turns, the rear wheels follow
the front wheels on a shorter radius, and this has the effect of increasing the width of the vehicle
in relation to the lane width of the roadway. Studies of drivers traversing curves have shown that
there is a tendency to drive a curved path longer than the actual curve, shifting the vehicle
laterally to the right on right-turning curves and to the left on left-turning curves. Thus, on right-
turning curves the vehicle shifts toward the inside edge of the pavement, creating a need for
additional pavement width. The amount of widening needed varies with the width of the
pavement on tangent, the design speed, and the curve radius or degree of curvature.

Figure 3.11: Off-tracking of vehicles in horizontal curves

The widening required can be calculated from

𝑛 * 𝑉
W𝑒 +
𝐵2 10 * √𝑅
=
Where: We = total widening 2𝑅

B = wheel base
R = radius of curve

V = design speed (Km/hr)

n = number of lanes
According to ERA geometric manual, 2013, widenings of the carriageway are provided for roads
with sharp horizontal curves and for embankments based on the heights of the fill. Recommended
values are provided in the table below.

Table 3.5: Widening on curves and high fills/embankments.

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Set-back Distance
Situations frequently exist where an object on the inside of a curve, such as vegetation, building
or cut face, obstructs the line of sight. Where it is either not feasible or economically justified to
move the object, a larger radius of curve will be required to ensure that stopping sight distance is
available. The required radius of curve is dependent on the distance of the obstruction from the
centerline and the sight distance.
Night driving around sharp curves introduces an added problem related to horizontal sight
distance. Motor-vehicle headlights are pointed directly toward the front and do not provide as
much illumination in oblique directions. Even if adequate horizontal sight distance is provided, it
has little useful purpose at night because the headlights are directed along a tangent to the curve,
and the roadway itself is not properly illuminated.
According to ERA Geometric Design Manual, 2013, the available sight distances on horizontal
curves need to be checked separately for both stopping and passing sight distances along each
direction of travel.

Figure 3.12: Stopping Sight distance on horizontal curves.

For Narrow Roads; i.e, single lane road in which centerline of the road and centerline of inner
lane are similar.
Case 1: S < Lc

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Chapter 4: Geometric Design of Highway 2017E.C

𝑀 = (1 −
�
)), in which α /2 (in degrees) = 28.65 * 𝑆/ 𝑅
2
𝐶𝑜(
�

Case 2: S >
Lc

𝑀 = 𝑅 (1 −
)) (𝑠i𝑛 2)), in which α /2 (in degrees) = 28.65 * /𝑅
𝑆− 𝑎

𝐶𝑜𝑠 (
𝑎

2+ (
𝐿
2

For Wide Roads; i.e, roads with two lane and above, in which centerline of the road and
centerline of inner lane are different and say the distance between the two centerlines is d.
Case 1: S < Lc
𝑀 = 𝑅 − (𝑅 − 𝑑) * 𝐶( ), in which α /2 (in degrees) = 28.65 * 𝑆/ 𝑅
𝑎

2
Case 2: S > Lc
𝑀 = 𝑅 − (𝑅 − 𝑑) * 𝐶( ) + (𝑠i𝑛 ( )), in which α /2 (in degrees) = 28.65 *
𝑎 𝑆−𝐿 𝑎

/𝑅
2 2 2

Where; S – the required sight distance

Lc – the length of the curve
R – the radius of the curve
α – the angle subtended by the curve
d – the distance between the centerline of the road and the centerline of the inner lane.
Example; Calculate the required set-back distance considering the required stopping sight
distance at the curve. Length of Curve (Lc) = 300m, Radius of horizontal curve = 230m, Design
Speed = 80 Km/hr, Coefficient of longitudinal friction, f = 0.35, Perception-reaction time, t = 2.5
sec, Total width of road = 7.71m. (Ans
= 10.66m)

Vertical Alignment

The vertical alignment of the roadway and its effect on the safe, economical operation of the
motor vehicle constitute one of the most important features of a highway design. The vertical
alignment, which consists a series of straight profile lines connected by vertical parabolic curves,
is known as the profile grade line. When the profile grade line is increasing from a level or flat
alignment, this condition is referred to as a ‗plus grade‘, and when the grade is decreasing from a
level alignment, the grade is termed a ‗minus grade‘. In analyzing grade and grade controls, the
designer usually studies the effect of change on the centerline profile of the roadway.
In the establishment of a grade, an ideal situation is one in which the cut is balanced against the
fill without a great deal of borrow or an excess of cut material to be wasted. All earthwork hauls

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should be moved in a downhill direction if possible and within a relatively short distance from the

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Chapter 4: Geometric Design of Highway 2017E.C

origin, due to the expense of moving large quantities of soil. Ideal grades have long distances
between points of intersection, with long curves between grade tangents to provide smooth riding
qualities and good visibility. The grade should follow the general terrain and rise or fall in the
direction of the existing drainage. In rock cuts and in flat, low-lying or swampy areas, it is
necessary to maintain higher grades with respect to the existing ground line. Future possible
construction and the presence of grade separations or bridge structures can also act as control
criteria for the design of a vertical alignment.

Figure 3.13: Existing topography in red versus designed vertical alignment in blue

Grades and Grade Control

Changes of grade from plus to minus should be placed in cuts, and changes from a minus grade to
a plus grade should be placed in fills. This will generally give a good design, and many times it
will avoid the appearance of building hills and producing depressions contrary to the general
existing contours of the land. Other considerations for determining the grade line may be of more
importance than the balancing of cuts and fills.
In the analysis of grades and grade control, one of the most important considerations is the effect
of grades on the operating costs of the motor vehicle. An increase in gasoline consumption, a
reduction in speed, and an increase in emissions and noise are apparent when grades are
increased. An economical approach would be to balance the added cost of grade reduction
against the annual costs and impacts of vehicle operation without grade reduction. An accurate
solution to the problem depends on the knowledge of traffic volume and type, which can be
obtained by means of a traffic survey.

Table 3.6: Maximum gradients for paved sections according to ERA geometric design manual

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D- Desirable value A- Absolute value

Standards for desirable maximum gradients were set to assure user comfort and to avoid severe
reductions in the design speed. If the occasional terrain anomaly is encountered that requires
excessive earthworks to reduce the vertical alignment to the desirable standard, an absolute
maximum gradient can be used.
Minimum grades are governed by drainage conditions. Level grades may be used in fill sections
in rural areas when crowned pavements and sloping shoulders can take care of the pavement
surface drainage. However, it is preferred that the profile grade be designed to have a minimum
grade of at least 0.3 % under most conditions in order to secure adequate drainage. According to
ERA, the minimum gradient for usual case is 0.5%.
Vertical Curves
The parabolic curve is used almost exclusively in connecting profile grade tangents. The primary
reason for the use of this type of curve in vertical highway alignments is the convenient manner in
which the vertical offsets can be computed and the smooth transitions created from tangent to
curve and then back to tangent. When a vertical curve connects a positive grade with a negative
grade, it is referred to as a ‗crest curve‘. Likewise, when a vertical curve connects a negative
grade with a positive grade, it is termed a ‗sag curve‘. Various configurations of crest and sag
curves are illustrated in figure 3.13. Various definitions and basic equations for a typical vertical
curve are presented in figure 3.14. The sign conventions for g1 and g2 allow the use of the same
formulas in the calculation of offsets and elevations for a sag curve also.
All distances along vertical curves are measured horizontally, and all offsets from the tangents to
the curve are measured vertically. Accordingly, the length of a vertical curve is its horizontal
projection. The error resulting from this assumption is negligible in practice since the curve is
quite flat. Unless otherwise defined, vertical curves are symmetrical in the sense that the tangents
are equal in length.

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Figure 3.14: Types of crest and sag vertical curves

Figure 3.15; Properties of a typical vertical curve

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Length Of Vertical Curves

Effect of crest vertical curves on sight distance.

I. Crest Vertical Curves
For crest curves, the most important consideration in determining the length of the curve is the
sight distance requirement.
Case1: S < L

GS 2
L
( 2h122h )2

Case 2: S > L

2( h  h2 )2
L2*S 1

G
Where;
L-length of vertical curve, in meter
G-the algebraic difference between g1 & g2, in decimal
S- Sight distance, in meter
h1- height of eye of the driver above the road surface
h2- height of the object above the road surface
AASHTO recommended values of eye height (h1) and object height (h2).
 For stopping sight distance over crest: h1 = 1.07m and h2 = 0.15m
 For passing sight distance over crest: h1 = 1.07m and h2 = 1.30m
ERA recommendations are:
 h1= 1.05m & h2= 0.6m especially for night time conditions

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 h1= 1.05m & h2= 0.6m in hilly and mountainous terrain

II. Sag Vertical Curves
For sag curves, the criteria for determining the length are vehicle headlight distance, rider
comfort, drainage control and general appearance.

Effect of sag vertical curves on sight distance.

Headlight Sight Distance:
Case 1: S < L

Case 2: S > L

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Comfort
There is still a considerable difference of opinion as to what value of radial acceleration should be
used on vertical curves for comfort purposes. The most commonly quoted values are between
0.30 and 0.46m/s2, but lesser values are preferred. If the vertical radial acceleration is assumed to
be equal to ar (in m/s2), then
V 2G
L
13ar
Where;
L- Length of vertical curve, in meter
V – Speed, in Km/hr

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G- Algebraic difference between g1& g2, in decimals

ar- vertical radial acceleration, in m/s2
S- Sight distance, in meter
For a value of 0.3m/s2 of vertical radial acceleration, the length of vertical curve is calculated as;

B.3 Aesthetics/ General Appearance

For high standard roads, higher length of vertical curves might be necessary to provide to improve
the aesthetics of the road.

Lmin  30 A

3.4. Sight Distances at Underpass Structures

Case 1: S < L

Case 2: S > L

Where:

L- Length of vertical curve, in meter

G- Algebraic difference between g1& g2, in decimals S- Sight
distance, in meter
m = C - (h1+h2)/2
C = Vertical clearance distance
 AASHTO recommendations: h1 = 1.829m, h2 = 0.457m and C = 5.182m

Phasing of Horizontal and Vertical Alignment

Phasing of the vertical and horizontal curves of a road implies their coordination so that the line
of the road appears to a driver to flow smoothly, avoiding the creation of hazards and visual

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defects. It is particularly important in the design of high-speed roads on which a driver must be
able to anticipate changes in both horizontal and vertical alignment well within the safe stopping
distance. It becomes more important with small radius curves than with large.
Defects may arise if an alignment is mis-phased. Defects may be purely visual and do no more than
present the driver with an aesthetically displeasing impression of the road. Such defects often occur
on sag curves. When these defects are severe, they may create a psychological obstacle and cause
some drivers to reduce speed unnecessarily. In other cases, the defects may endanger the safety of
the user by concealing hazards on the road ahead. A sharp bend hidden by a crest curve is an
example of this kind of defect. Refer chapter 10 of ERA Geometric Design Manual, 2013

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