The horizontal alignment must provide a safe, functional roadway facility that provides

adequate sight distances within economical constraints. The alignment must adhere to
specific design criteria such as minimum radii, superelevation rates, and sight distance. These
criteria will maximize the overall safety of the facility and enhance the aesthetic appearance
of the highway.
Construction of roadways along new alignments is relatively rare. Typically, roadways are
reconstructed along existing alignments with horizontal and/or vertical changes to meet
current design standards. The horizontal alignment of a roadway is defined in terms of
straight-line tangents and horizontal curves. The curves allow for a smooth transition
between the tangent sections. Circular curves and spirals are two types of horizontal curves
utilized to meet the various design criteria.