Superelevation

CTC 440

Objectives
Know how to determine superelevation transitions

on simple circular curves and spirals

Know how to use maximum relative gradients to
determine superelevation length transitions

Superelevation
Used to partially overcome the centrifugal

force on a vehicle as it goes around a curve

Transition lengths are needed to change the
cross slope from normal crown to full bank
and then back down to normal crown
In New York State the allowed maximum
superelevation rates are:
Rural and interstates/freeways 8%
Suburban 6%
Urban 4%

Methods
There are various methods for transitioning

pavement from normal crown to a superelevated

section
The most common method is to rotate the
pavement around the centerline (which is also the
HCL and TGL)

Runout
Runout is the distance used to change the section

from normal crown to where the adverse crown is

removed (to level)

Runoff
Runoff is the distance used to change the section

from where the adverse crown is removed (to level)

to the point where full superelevation is achieved
Runoff length is also the length of spiral length
Refer to Exhibit 5-15 to get the length (function of e,
design speed and number of lanes rotated) but first
you must determine e

Reverse Crown
The point at which the whole pavement is sloped at

2% (in the direction of the superelevation)

Spirals
Runout occurs before the TS (on the tangent) and

after the ST
Runoff occurs on length of spiral
There is full superelevation between the SC and
CS

Circular Curves
Runout also occurs on the tangent
0.7*Runoff occurs before the PC and after the PT
0.3*Runoff occurs on the curve (right after the PC

and right before the PT).

The circular arc is not fully superelevated
because part of the transition falls on the curve

Determining Superelevation Rate,

e
Use Exhibits 2-11 through 2-14 (English)

or Exhibits MT 2-11 through MT 2-14 (Metric)

2-11 (low-speed urban streets)
2-12 (emax=4%)
2-13 (emax=6%)
2-14 (emax=8%)

Function of design speed, emax and radius

Runoff
Refer to Exhibit 5-15 of HDM to get the length

(function of e, design speed and number of lanes

rotated)
Runoff length is also the length of spiral

Determining Runout Lengths

Rout=(Roff*NC)/e

NC is normal crown (usually 2%)

e is the superelevation rate (%)

Basic steps
Determine e, Roff

Calculate Rout
For circular curves calculate 30% and 70% of Roff
Draw diagram working back and forth from the

PC/PT or TS/SC

Example
Last existing curve of Paris Hill project

Design speed=100 km/hr

Emax=8%
Radius=590 m
PC STA 4+340.78
PT STA 4+901.88
Curves to the RT

Step 1 (find e, runoff, runout)

e= (7%) (table M2-134)---see next slide

Roff= 57 m (Exhibit 5-15)---see following slide

Rout=(Roff)(NC)/e=(57m)*(2%)/7%=16 m

Step 2 (.7 & .3 Roff)

0.3*57m=17m

0.7*57m=40m

Step 3
Draw
Diagram

Other pavement transitions

Sometimes it makes more sense to transition

directly from one curve to another

Can determine minimum length of transition by
using a maximum relative gradient (Exhibit 5-12
of HDM and equation on page 5.7.3.3)

Equation Variables
Lr=transition length

w=pavement width
ed=% change in super rate
n=# of lanes
bw=adjustment factor
n*bw factor is combined see HDM page 5-59
=maximum relative gradient from HDM Table 5-

4 (in %); it is a function of design speed

Example-minimum transition lengths

A county road- reverse curves 2% rt & 3% lt

Design speed = 40 km/hr

2 lanes-3.6 m in width
What is the minimum transition length for

superelevating directly from 2% to 3%

Example of
determining
minimum
transition
lengths using
maximum
relative
gradient

Minimum transition length

Lr=w*ed*(n*bw)]/

w*ed= y=0.18 m
n*bw=1 (since only 1 lane is superelevated)
=0.7%
Lr=26 m (compare to exh. 5-15; 40km/hr; .05)