Highway Geometric Design

Prashant Joshi
(prashant@designaid.in)
 Geometric Design

- Design of Visible Features of Highway

- Mostly Carried out Using Software-tools

Objective:
Mobility, Accessibility, Comfort, Safety of Users
Mobility & Accessibility

Expressways
National Highways

State Highways
Mobility

Major District Roads

Other District Roads

Village Roads

Access
 Highway Geometric Features
• Highway Alignment, Sight distance
• Typical Cross-Sections
• Highway Plan & Profile
• Service Road &/or Slip Road Alignments, Plan & Profile
• At-grade Junctions
• Grade Separated Interchange Layouts (Flyovers, RoBs,
Underpasses-VUP, PUP)
• Cross-Drainage Structures (Bridges and Culverts)
• Road/Rail Over Bridges
• Median & Separators
Project Facilities
• Toll Plaza
• Bus-bays and Truck lay-bys
• Wayside Facilities/Rest Area
• Provisions for Disabled Users
 CROSS SECTION

Pave
Earth d
en Shou Earth
Shoul lder en Med
der Shoul ian
Med der
ian
Four Lane Six Lane
Highway Highway

5
 CROSS SECTION

Earth
Earth
en
en
Shoul Earth
Shoul Earth
der Carriageway en
der en
Shoul
Shoul
der
der

Single Lane Two Lane

Highway Highway

6
Mobility & Accessibility

Expressways
National Highways

State Highways
Mobility

Major District Roads

Other District Roads

Village Roads

Access
UNDERSTAND GEOMETRIC DESIGN

❖ It is just not the design of horizontal and vertical

alignment
❖ Should integrate all physical features of highway–
Intersections, Structures, Entry/Exits, roadside
❖ Road safety: Forgiving road design
❖ Complement efficient drainage
❖ Cost effective
❖ Educate the stakeholders on design intent…

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 Design Criteria

• Design Speed: Category of Road (Expressway, National

Highway, State Highway, MDR, ODR)

• Type of Terrain (Flat/ Rolling/ Mountainous /Steep)

• Traffic Characteristics (Traffic Volume/Vehicle Dimensions)

• Physical Constraints – Topographical Feature

 National Highway Projects Types

• Widening and Upgradation/Rehabilitation Projects

• New Green Field Highway Project

Example: NHDP, Bharatmala Projects

Design Standards: As per Indian Roads Congress publications

Objective: Maximize Comfort, Safety & Economy

 Applicable Manuals- Standards and
Specifications
• IRC:SP:73-2018 - Manual of Specifications and Standards for
Two Laning of Highways

• IRC:SP:84-2019 - Manual of Specifications and Standards for

Four Laning of Highways

• IRC:SP:87-2019 - Manual of Specifications and Standards for

Six Laning of Highways

• IRC:SP:99-2023 - Manual of Specifications and Standards for

Expressways
 Applicable Standards/Guidelines
• IRC:73-2023 - Geometric Design Standards for Rural (Non-
Urban) Highways
• IRC:86-2018 - Geometric Design Standards for Urban Roads
and Streets
• IRC:52-2019 - Guidelines for the Alignment Survey and
Geometric Design of Hill Roads
• IRC:92-2017 - Guidelines for the Design of Interchanges in
Urban Areas
• IRC:SP:19-2020 – Manual for Survey, Investigation and
Preparation of Road Projects
• IRC:SP:41-1994 - Guidelines for the Design of At-Grade
Intersections in Rural & Urban Areas
 Highway Geometric Elements

• Typical Cross-Sections: Camber/Cross-slope, Super-

elevation
• Horizontal Alignment: Tangents and Horizontal
Curves (Circular curves and spirals)
• Vertical Alignment: Gradient and Spirals
• Sight Distance (SSD, ISD, OSD)
• Intersection/Interchange Elements
• Extra-widening at Sharp curves
 Areas of Influence for Engineers and Planners
✓ By adjusting the design of the road and road networks to accommodate human
characteristics and to be more "forgiving" if an error is made they can make major
contributions to road safety.
➢ Competing demands for space between “moving” and “access” traffic
✓ Engineers can reduce conflicts, particularly those between pedestrians and vehicles,
by appropriate design of road networks so that roads intended primarily for
movement (e.g. motorways and expressways) are designed for that purpose, while
roads intended for access (e.g. residential roads) have an environment suited to that
function.
➢ Accommodating human characteristics in system design
✓ Drivers tend to overestimate their own ability and the capability of their vehicles to
react in sufficient time to avoid problems (e.g. they often drive too close to vehicles
in front). It must also be understood that drivers drive on "expectancy" and anything
out of the ordinary must be clearly indicated whether it is roadworks or a sudden
bend after a long straight section.
➢ Adjusting the traffic mix
✓ Any measures which simplify the traffic situation will improve traffic safety.
Consequently, the segregation of slow or vulnerable road users from faster vehicles
will be beneficial and measures such as pedestrian only streets, cycle routes and
pedestrian segregation, can all improve traffic safety.
 Issues Often Overlooked in Design
• Site distance at intersections, Set-back distance at
horizontal curves
• Built-up stretched with frequent local access road -
need speed restrictions
• Provision for vulnerable road users specialty those with
disability (tactile flooring, wheel chair ramps)
• Location of median openings
• Service road entry-exit locations
• A new commercial/residential development that would
generate additional traffic
 SPEED

❖ One of the most important factors considered by travelers in choosing facility

❖ Depends on highway function: Mobility – High Speed, Accessibility – Low
Speed
❖ Design Speed
❖ Speed selected to design geometric features of the highway
❖ Posted Speed
❖ Safe operating speed limitation set for reason on a stretch of road
keeping in view the prevailing geometric condition and land use
❖ Operating Speed
❖ Speed at which drivers are observed operating their vehicles during free
flow conditions. 85th Percentile of speed distribution

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 DESIGN SPEED

Provisions As Per IRC Standards

Plain & Rolling Terrain Mountainous & Steep Terrain

Road Classification

Desirable Minimum Desirable Minimum

Expressways 120 Kmph 100 Kmph 80 Kmph 60 Kmph

National Highways 100 Kmph 80 Kmph 60 Kmph 40 Kmph

State Highways 100 Kmph 80 Kmph 50 Kmph 40 Kmph

Major District Roads 80 /65 Kmph 65 /50 Kmph 40 /30 Kmph 30 /20 Kmph

Other District Roads 65 Kmph 50 Kmph 30 Kmph 20 Kmph

Village Roads 50 Kmph 40 Kmph 30 Kmph 20 Kmph

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 CROSS SECTION

Pave
Earth d
en Shou Earth
Shoul lder en Med
der Shoul ian
Med der
ian
Four Lane Six Lane
Highway Highway

18
 CROSS SECTION

Earth
Earth
en
en
Shoul Earth
Shoul Earth
der Carriageway en
der en
Shoul
Shoul
der
der

Single Lane Two Lane

Highway Highway

19
 CROSS SECTION
Provisions As Per IRC Standards
Cross Section
Element Single Lane Highway Two Lane Highway Four Lane Six Lane Expressway
Highway Highway
Median NIL NIL 2.5 to 7.0m 2.5 to 7.0m 12.0 to 15.0m
Carriageway 3.75m 7.0m 7.0m 10.5m 3.75/Lane
Paved Shoulder NIL 1.5m/2.5m (BU) 2.5m 2.5m 3.0m
Earthen Shoulder 1.75m 1.5m/NIL (BU) 1.5m 1.5m 2.0m

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 CAMBER AND SUPER ELEVATION

❖ Camber
❖ Value depend on pavement surface type
❖ 2.5% for Flexible Pavement
❖ 2.0% for Rigid Pavement

❖ Camber pattern for type of roads

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 CAMBER AND SUPER ELEVATION

❖ Super Elevation Equation

Convert V to
Kmph
Take g = 9.8 m/s2

IRC Simplification
• SE counteracts
centrifugal force for 75%
speed

Maximum Super Elevation is Limited to 7% for Normal and 10% for Hilly
Terrain

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 HORIZONTAL GEOMTRY

❖ Deals with the designing the

plan layout of highway
❖ Straight Sections
❖ Curves
❖ Transitions

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 HORIZONTAL GEOMTRY

❖ Curves
❖ Radius is the design parameter
❖ Radius depends on design speed, super elevation and friction factor
❖ Minimum radius of curve – Curve radius considering max super elevation
and friction factor

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 HORIZONTAL GEOMTRY

❖ Transition Curves
❖ Special curves connecting straight with curve
❖ Provides smooth entry to curve and centrifugal acceleration
❖ Provides smooth transition from camber to super elevation
❖ SPIRAL type curve is recommended

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 HORIZONTAL GEOMTRY

❖ Type of Curves ❖ Closely spaced curves in different

❖ Reverse Curves direction
❖ Avoided if possible due to safety &
comfort issues
❖ If provided both curves should have
full transitions

❖ Closely spaced curves in

❖ Broken Back curves same direction
❖ Avoided if possible due to
safety
❖ If provided both curves
should have straight section of
length = 10 seconds travel
time in design speed

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 SIGHT DISTANCE ON HIGHWAYS

❖ Unobstructed length of highway visible to the driver

❖ Stopping Sight Distance (SSD)
❖ Overtaking Sight Distance (OSD)
❖ Intermediate Sight Distance (ISD)

❖ Factors Affecting Sight Distance

❖ Design Speed
❖ Reaction Time of Driver – Taken as 2.5s in design
❖ Friction between Tyre and Road Surface – Taken as 0.4 to 0.35 in
design
❖ Rate of acceleration and deceleration
❖ Gradient
❖ Eye & Object Height – Taken as 1.2m and 0.15m in IRC

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 VERTICAL GEOMETRY

❖ Deals with the designing the

vertical layout of highway
❖ Gradients Gradient
❖ Curves

Curve

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 VERTICAL GEOMETRY

❖ Gradients
❖ Warranted due to topography and crossings
❖ Minimum gradient is critical for effective drainage
❖ Maximum gradient is critical for safe operations

Gradient Recommendations Ruling Limiting

Minimum for Drainage 0.3% -
Highways in Plain & Rolling Terrain 2.5% 3.3%
Highways in Mountainous Terrain 5.0% 6.0%
Highways in Steep Terrain 6.0% 7.0%
Approach to Grade Separated Structures 2.5%
Ramps for Interchanges 2.5% 4.0%

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 VERTICAL GEOMETRY

❖ Curves
❖ Warranted to Smooth and Safe Grade Change & Effect Sight distance
❖ Summit (Hog) and Valley (Sag) Curves
❖ Length Depend on Grade Change, Design Speed and Sight Distance

Summit Curve Valley Curve

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 VERTICAL GEOMETRY

❖ Summit Curve
❖ Length (L) Depend on Grade Change (N) & Sight Distance (S)
❖ SSD - Height of Driver’s Eye 1.2m, Height of Object – 0.15m
❖ OSD - Height of Driver’s Eye 1.2m, Height of Object – 1.2m (Another Driver)

Case I: L > S Case II: L < S

OS OS
SSD SSD
D D
K

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 VERTICAL GEOMETRY

❖ Valley Curve
❖ Road surface profile shall enable head light illuminate entire distance up to SSD
❖ Riding Comfort – Radial acceleration shall less than 0.3 m/s2
❖ Length (L) Depend on Grade Change (N OR A) & Sight Distance (S)
❖ Height of Headlight 0.7m, Height of Object – 0.15m, Headlight spread 10

Headlight Distance Criteria Riding Comfort Criteria

Case I: L > S Case II: L < S

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 VERTICAL GEOMETRY

❖ Vertical Curve Lengths As per IRC:73 - 2023

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 INTEGRATED ALIGNMENT EVALUATION

❖ Very Important But Neglected Task by Designers

❖ Combined Alignment May Result in Undesirable Geometry
❖ Road side objects – Kerbs, Crash Barriers, Bridge Parapets Cause Obstruction
❖ Drainage Worthiness to be Checked on the Combined Alignment
❖ Critical Analysis Warranted
❖ Sight Distance Analysis in 3D
❖ Flat Spot Analysis
❖ Aqua-plaining Analysis

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 ACCESS CONTROL CRITERIA

❖ Expressways & Six Lane Highways Shall be Fully Access Controlled

❖ Flyovers/Underpasses with Slip Roads for all Crossings of NH, SH & MDR
❖ Crossing Main Highway Shall not be Closer Than 3 Km
❖ Fully Access Controlled Bypasses for all Municipal Areas
❖ Service Roads With Physical Separation for Built-up Areas of 200m OR More
❖ Clear Segregation of Entry and Exits
❖ Entry/Exit Through Ramps Only
❖ Spacing of Successive Entry and Exit Ramps – Length of AD Lanes + Length of
Weaving Sections
❖ Fencing of ROW

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 ENTRY & EXIT RAMPS

❖ Exit from Main Highway @ Upstream of Crossing/Service Road

❖ Entry to Main Highway @ Downstream of Crossing/Service Road

EXIT
ENTRY RAMP
RAMP FLYOVER
U/S
APPROACH
EXIT
RAMP

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 ENTRY & EXIT RAMPS

❖ Physical Layout Shall be as to Prevent Incorrect Use

❖ Mandatory Provision of Auxiliary Lanes

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 GORE AREA DESIGN

• Safe gore area of sufficient width and mandatorily graded for exit ramp terminals
• No physical objects in the gore area

Gore Width (w) : 6-9m for Exit Ramp

: 1.2 to 2.4m for Entry
Ramp
w w

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 CONCLUSIONS

❖ Focus in speed consistency rather than higher speeds

❖ Needs integrated planning of all elements for safe design & operation
❖ Adopt Best Design Practices – 3D Sight Distance Analysis, Flat Spot Analysis
❖ Ensure DPR reflects the best possible geometry
❖ Ensure Land Requirements for all Elements are Provisioned
❖ Design Shall Ensure Optimal Costs

Indian Standards for Geometric Design Needs Updating Based on

Field Studies

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 Highway Geometric Elements

• Typical Cross-Sections: Camber/Cross-slope, Super-

elevation
• Horizontal Alignment: Tangents and Horizontal
Curves (Circular curves and spirals)
• Vertical Alignment: Gradient and Spirals
• Sight Distance (SSD, ISD, OSD)
• Intersection/Interchange Elements
• Extra-widening at Sharp curves
 Special Consideration on Hill Roads

• Climbing Lane
• Escape Lane
• Grade Compensation at Curves
• Passing Places
• Vertical and lateral Clearances Escape lane

• Widening at Curves
• Co-ordination of Horizontal and Vertical
Alignments
• Tunnels

Widening at Curves
 Special Consideration on Hill Roads

• Climbing Lane
• Escape Lane
• Grade Compensation at Curves
• Passing Places
• Vertical and lateral Clearances Escape lane

• Widening at Curves
• Co-ordination of Horizontal and Vertical
Alignments
• Tunnels

Widening at Curves
THANK YOU