1. Road’s Classification 1.

Road’s Classification cont’d

Roads may be classified according to:
1. Ownership 2. Function
– Major Arterials
Mobility Arterials
– Private
– Public – Minor Arterials

Federal – Major Collectors

Provincial – Minor Collectors Collectors

Municipal – Local Streets
 Regional
 Area. 3. Location
– Urban Locals.
– Rural Land Access
1 2

3. Geometric Design 3.1. Cross-section Design

 Geometric design (dimensional Desirable ROW

proportioning) is concerned with the Clear Clear
shape, size and the geometry of Zone Zone
transportation facilities. It includes Shoulder Shoulder
Pavement
four areas:
1. Cross-section
2. Alignments
3. Channelization.

(undivided two-lane rural highway)

3 4

3.1. Cross-section Design:

3.2.1 Horizontal Alignment cont’d
Ex: 4-lane Rural Hwy (divided) cont’d

• Different designs • Point of Intersection

for different ROWs PI
• Point of Curvature
• Similar pavements
& shoulders • Point of Tangency Circular
Curve
(12’ & 10’) • ∞ # circular curves
• Different medians PC PT
(depressed, with Length of Curve
tan
nt

barriers; concrete
ge

 ∆ 
ge

or guardrail). L = 2π R *  
t an

nt

 360
5 6

1
 3.2.1 Horizontal Alignment cont’d 3.2.1 Horizontal Alignment:
Defining the Circular Curve: Arc Definition of D
R / D (Radius/ Degree of a Curve) L = length of curve
L 100 ft 100 ft ∆ = External Angle of Deflection

100 D
100 ft =
L ∆
R R
D D
100 ∆
L=
Each of the circular Or degree of curve D 100 D  5729.58 
D
curves is defined by (angle subtended by = D= 
its radius R a 100 ft arc/chord). 2πR 360  R 
7 8

L = length of curve
∆ = External Angle of Deflection 3.2.1 Horizontal Alignment:
2π R
L ft 100 ft
Cord Definition of D
360 In railway design, they use
∆ R D the chord definition for the
degree of a curve 100 ft
In this case:
D ∆ 360 R
= = D
100 L 2π R
D 50
sin =
 5729.58  100 ∆ 2 R
D=  L=
 R  D 10

Simple Horizontal Alignment

T E
∆ 3.2.1 Horizontal Alignment:
E
T= Length of tangent
L= Length of curve ∆/2 M ∆/2
Design Radius
D= Degree of curve Long Cord
M=Middle Ordinate
1 v2 v2
R cos ∆/2

E=External distance R R e + fs = R= mi/h & ft

LC=Long cord R R 15 R 15 (e + f s )
Design values:
M = R - R cos ∆/2 e = 0.00 – 0.12
E = (R /cos ∆/2) – R fs = 0.10 – 0.17
fs decreases with design speed
E = (R sec ∆/2) – R
External Angle
T = R tan ∆/2 Rmin =
v2
L = 100 ∆/ D
∆/2
∆/
∆/2
∆/
15 (emax + f s max ) Superelevation
2 2 B
π R = ∆/ 360
L/2π D ∆ 360
= =  5729 .58 
D max = 
LC = 2 R sin ∆/2 100 L 2π R  W
 R min  Select Design Radius > min Radius.
12

2
 3.2.1 Horizontal Alignment cont’d 3.2.1 Horizontal Alignment cont’d
Superelevation Transition Superelevation Development
AB .
ut 1 /3
BE
no off
ru un
e nt 2 /3 nr 2
ng o .4.
Ta ati le 2 , n)
r elev Tab f(e, S
pe
Su

Crowned pavement revolved about centre line

13
from the 2001 Caltrans Highway Design Manual

BE

outside edge
Full Superelevation.
offset

For 3, 4 & 6-lane highways, multiply

D Inside edge By 1.2, 1.5 & 2.0 respectively.
Place 2/3 on the tangent BD & 1/3 on the curve DE
E
A B C Circle Assume AB = BC = 50’
16
Offset Between Inside & Outside Edges

3.2.1 Horizontal Alignment:

3.2.2 Vertical Alignment
Selection of “e” and “fs”
• Practical limits on superelevation (e) • Objective:
– Climate – Determine elevation to ensure
• Ease of driver’s operation
– Constructability • Acceptable level of safety
• Proper drainage
– Adjacent land use • Tools:
– Tangents
• Side friction factor (fs) variations – Vertical Parabolic Curves
– Vehicle speed
– Pavement texture
– Tire condition G1 G2
Sag Vertical Curve

Crest Vertical Curve

17 G1 G2 18

3
 Symmetric Vertical Curve
VPC Vertical Point of Curvature VPT Vertical Point of Tangency 3.2.2 Vertical Alignment: Curves
A = G2 − G1 Change in Grade (-ve for crest)
Vertical Curvature K =
L
VPI For a crest:
• Curve stretches bet. Vertical Point of
A
G1 A, E, M & y are –ve. Curvature (VPC) and Vertical Point of
δ
Y y E G2 G1, G2 in percent, L in stations
Tangency (VPT)
VPC P M
VPT • If the VPI is above the road surface, we have a
L/2
Crest, if it is below the road surface, we have a
Parabola: L Sag
x
Y = a x2 + b x + c • Vertical curves provide for safe & comfortable
x operations, good visibility, adequate drainage
y = 4E( ) 2 Elevation of P =Elevation of VPC + (G1/100) x + y
L & min earthwork
AL • Length of the vertical curve depends on SD.
M =E=
800The high (or low) point
LG1
X = Middle Ordinate = External Distance (-ve for crest) 20
G1 − G2

3.2.2 Vertical Alignment: Grades

• Grades affect speed, capacity & cost of

operation
• Grades are rarely > 9%, that any passenger
car can take without reduction in speed
• Grades > 5% should be avoided, particularly
in snow areas
• The length of the grade is also important for
truck operations
• Climbing lanes are used where appropriate
(high volumes of trucks on a 2-lane hwy).

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