QUIZ GT502

Geometric Design
Lucas Montogue

► PROBLEMS

PROBLEM 1 [Mannering & Washburn, 2013, w/ permission (modified)]

A 520-ft-long equal-tangent crest vertical curve connects tangents that
intersect at station 340 + 00 and elevation 1325 ft. The initial grade is +4.0% and
the final grade is 2.5%. True or false?

1.( ) The station of the initial point of vertical curve (PVC) lies beyond (i.e., is
greater than) 338 + 00, and the elevation is greater than 1315 ft.
2.( ) The elevation of the final point of vertical curve (PVT) is greater than 1317 ft.
3.( ) The station of the high point lies beyond (i.e., is greater than) 340 + 50, and
the elevation is greater than 1320 ft.

PROBLEM 2 [Mannering & Washburn, 2013, w/ permission (modified)]

An equal-tangent crest vertical curve is designed with a PVI at station 110
+ 00 (elevation 927.5 ft) and a PVC at station 107 + 43.3 (elevation 921.55 ft). If the
high point is at station 110 + 93, what is the design speed of the curve?
A) V = 40 mi/h
B) V = 50 mi/h
C) V = 60 mi/h
D) V = 70 mi/h

PROBLEM 3 (Mannering & Washburn, 2013, w/ permission)

An equal-tangent crest vertical curve connects a +3.2% grade and a −1.1%
grade. The point of vertical intersection (PVI) is at station 98 + 20. Due to drainage
considerations, the highest point of the curve is at station 100 + 79.35. True or
false?
1.( ) The station of the initial point of vertical curve (PVC) lies beyond (i.e., is
greater than) 93 + 00.
2.( ) The station of the final point of vertical curve (PVT) lies beyond (i.e., is
greater than) 104 + 00.
3.( ) The design speed of the curve is 70 mi/h.

PROBLEM 4 (Mannering & Washburn, 2013, w/ permission)

An equal-tangent crest curve connects a +1.0% and a −0.5% grade. The
PVC is at station 54 + 24 and the PVI is at station 56 + 92. Is this curve long enough
to provide passing sight distance for a 60-mi/h design speed?
α) The curve is long enough for this design speed.
β) The curve is not long enough for this design speed.
γ) There is not enough information.

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PROBLEM 5 (Mannering & Washburn, 2013, w/ permission)
An equal-tangent crest curve connects a +2% initial grade with a −1% final
grade, and is designed for 55 mi/h. The station of the point of tangent intersection
(PVI) is 233 + 40 with elevation 1203 ft. What is the elevation of the curve at station
234 + 00?
A) y = 1191.7 ft
B) y = 1195.1 ft
C) y = 1198.5 ft
D) y = 1201.9 ft

PROBLEM 6 (Mannering & Washburn, 2013, w/ permission)

A vertical curve is designed for 55 mi/h and has an initial grade of +2.5%
and a final grade of −1.0%. The final point of vertical curve (PVT) is at station 114 +
50. It is known that a point on the curve at station 112 + 35 is at elevation 245 ft.
Consider the following statements.
Statement 1: The station of the PVC lies beyond (i.e., is greater than)
110 + 25 and its elevation is greater than 241 ft.
Statement 2: The station of the high point lies beyond (i.e., is greater than)
114 + 00 and its elevation is greater than 246 ft.

A) Both statements are true.

B) Statement 1 is true and Statement 2 is false.
C) Statement 1 is false and Statement 2 is true.
D) Both statements are false.

PROBLEM 7 (Garber & Hoel, 2009, w/ permission)

A +2 percent grade on an arterial highway intersects with a −1 percent
grade at station 535 + 24.25 at an elevation of 300 ft. If the design speed of the
highway is 65 mi/h, determine the stations and elevations of the initial point of
vertical curve (PVC), the final point of vertical curve (PVT), the high point, and the
elevation of each 100-ft station.

PROBLEM 8 (Garber & Hoel, 2009, w/ permission)

Determine the minimum length of a sag vertical curve if the grades are
−4% and +2%. The design speed is 70 mi/h. Make sure to apply criteria for
stopping sight distance, comfort, and general appearance. When assessing
stopping sight distance, use 2.5 s as the reaction time and 11.2 ft/s2 as the
deceleration rate.
A) Lmin = 600 ft
B) Lmin = 632 ft
C) Lmin = 1050 ft
D) Lmin = 1180 ft

PROBLEM 9 (Garber & Hoel, 2009, w/ permission)

A horizontal curve is designed for a two-lane road in mountainous terrain.
The following data are known.

 Intersection angle = 40o

 Tangent length = 436.76 ft
 Station of point of tangent intersection (PI) = 2700 + 10.65
 Side friction factor f = 0.12
 Superelevation e = 0.08

True or false?
1.( ) The design speed of the curve is greater than 50 mi/h.
2.( ) The station of the initial point of horizontal curve (PC) lies beyond (i.e., is
greater than) 2695 + 90.
3.( ) The station of the final point of horizontal curve (PT) lies beyond (i.e., is
greater than) 2704 + 50.
4.( ) The chord length to the first even 100 ft station is greater than 25 ft.

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PROBLEM 10A (Mannering & Washburn, 2013, w/ permission)
A horizontal curve on a two-lane highway (10-ft lanes) is designed for 50
mi/h with a 6% superelevation. The central angle of the curve is 35 degrees and
the point of tangent intersection (PI) is at station 482 + 72. What is the station of
the final point of horizontal curve (PT)?
A) Station of PT = 482 + 50.3
B) Station of PT = 485 + 20.4
C) Station of PT = 488 + 30.6
D) Station of PT = 491 + 25.1

PROBLEM 10B
In the previous problem, how many feet have to be cleared from the lane’s
shoulder edge to provide adequate stopping sight distance?
A) D = 13.27 ft
B) D = 17.43 ft
C) D = 21.72 ft
D) D = 25.80 ft

PROBLEM 11 (Mannering & Washburn, 2013, w/ permission)

A horizontal curve on a single-lane highway has its initial point of
horizontal curve (PC) at station 123 + 70 and its point of tangent intersection (PI) at
station 130 + 90. The curve has a superelevation of 0.06 ft/ft and is designed for 70
mi/h. What is the station of the final point of horizontal curve (PT)?
A) Station of PT = 137 + 54.6
B) Station of PT = 140 + 10.3
C) Station of PT = 143 + 30.2
D) Station of PT = 146 + 44.2

PROBLEM 12 (Findley et al., 2016)

A sign is located 7 ft from the edge of the pavement of a 3o horizontal
curve. Determine if the sign should be relocated further from the edge of the
highway to provide the necessary stopping sight distance. The two-lane highway
has a design speed of 50 mi/h with 12-ft wide lanes.
α) The sign must be relocated.
β) The sign needn’t be relocated.
γ) There is not enough information.

PROBLEM 13 (Mannering and Washburn, 2013, w/ permission)

You are asked to design a horizontal curve for a two-lane road. The road
has 12-ft lanes. Due to an expensive excavation, it is determined that a maximum
of 34 ft can be cleared from the road’s centerline toward the inside lane to provide
for stopping sight distance. Also, local guidelines dictate a maximum
superelevation of 0.08 ft/ft. Among the following values, which one is the highest
safe design speed for this curve?
A) V = 30 mi/h
B) V = 40 mi/h
C) V = 50 mi/h
D) V = 60 mi/h

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► ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Table 1 Values of K for crest vertical curves based on stopping sight distance

Table 2 Minimum radius using limiting values

of superelevation (e) and friction factor ( f )

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 Table 2 (Continued)

► SOLUTIONS
P.1 ■ Solution
1. False. Given the distance D1 = 520/2 = 260 ft between the PVI and the PVC,
the stationing of the PVC is determined as

Station of PVC= Station of PVI − D1= ( 340 + 00 ) − 260

∴ Station of PVC = 34, 000 − 260 = ( 337 + 40 )

The distance between the PVI and the PVC is equivalent to 2.6 stations.
Equipped with this quantity and the grade G1 = +4.0%, the elevation of the PVC is
determined to be

Elevation
= of PVC Elevation of PVI − G1 × N PVC-PVI
∴ Elevation of PVC= 1325 − 4.0 × 2.6= 1314.6 ft
2. True. The distance between the PVT and the PVI is D2 = 520/2 = 260 ft, which
corresponds to 2.6 stations. Equipped with this quantity and the grade G2 = −2.5%,
the elevation of the PVT is determined as

Elevation
= of PVT Elevation of PVI − G2 × N PVI-PVT
= 1325 − ( −2.5 ) × 2.6
∴ Elevation of PVT = 1318.5 ft
3. True. The vertical curve can be described by a parabola of the general form
𝑦𝑦 = 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐. Differentiating this equation gives the slope of the curve,

dy
= 2ax + b
dx
Coefficients a and b depend on the grades and the length of the curve; that is,

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 G2 − G1 −2.5 − 4.0
a= = = −0.625
2L 2 × 5.20
b G=
= 1 4.0

so that

y′ = 2 × ( −0.625 ) × x + 4.0
∴ y′ =−1.25 x + 4.0

Since the high point is an extremum of the curve, the slope of the curve at that
point must equal zero. Accordingly, we set the foregoing equation to zero and
solve for x,

0 =−1.25 x + 4.0 → x =3.2 stations =320 ft

We are now able to compute the stationing of the high point,

Station=
of high point Station of PVC + x
∴ Station of high point= ( 337 + 40 ) + ( 3 + 20 )
∴ Station of high point =
340 + 60

The elevation of the high point is obtained by substituting x = 3.2 stations in the
equation of the parabola,

y =−0.625 × 3.22 + 4 × 3.2 + 1314.6 =1321 ft

P.2 ■ Solution
The first step is to compute the number of stations between the PVC and the
PVI,

N PVC − PVI =Station of PVI − Station of PVC =(110 + 00 ) − (107 + 43) =+

2 57
2.57 stations
∴ N PVC − PVI =

The initial grade of the vertical curve is calculated next,

Elevation of PVC + G1 × N PVC-PVI =

Elevation of PVI
Elevation of PVI − Elevation of PVC 927.5 − 921.55
=∴ G1 = = 2.32%
N PVC-PVI 2.57

The design speed of the curve depends on the value of rate of vertical
curvature K in the AASHTO formula

xhl
xhi= KG1 → K= (I)
G1

where xhi is the distance from the PVC to the high point and can be determined as

xhl = High point − Elevation of PVC = (110 + 93) − (107 + 43.3)

∴ xhl =3 + 49.7 =349.7 ft

Backsubstituting in equation (I) gives

349.7
=K ≈ 151
2.32
Referring to Table 1 with this quantity, we read a design speed of 60 mi/h for
the curve in question.

► The correct answer is C.

P.3 ■ Solution
1. False. The difference between the stationing of the highest point and the
stationing of the PVI is (100 + 79.35) – (98 + 20) = 259 ft. Given the distance 𝑥𝑥ℎ𝑙𝑙 =
L/2 + 259 from the PVC to the high point of the curve, the length of the curve is
shown to be

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 L
xhl =K × G1 → xhl = × G1
G1 − G2

L  L
∴ =+ 259  × 3.2
2  3.2 − ( −1.1)
1060 ft
∴L =

The distance between the PVI and the PVC for an equal-tangent curve such as
the present one is D1 = 1060/2 = 530 ft. The stationing of the PVC is determined as
follows,

D1 530
Station of PVC = Station of PVI − = ( 98 + 20 ) −
100 100
∴ Station of PVC =
92 + 90

2. False. The distance between the PVT and the PVI is D2 = 1060/2 = 530 ft.
Accordingly, the stationing of the PVT is determined next,

D2 530
Station of PVT = Station of PVI + = ( 98 + 20 ) +
100 100
∴ Station of PVT =
103 + 50
3. True. From the AASHTO formula, we have L = KA. Substituting and solving for
K gives

L
L = KA → K =
G1 − G2
1060
K
∴= = 246.5 ≈ 247
3.2 − ( −1.1)

Referring to Table 1 with this rate of vertical curvature, the design speed is seen
to be 70 mi/h.

P.4 ■ Solution
The length of the curve in question is calculated as

L
2 × ( Station of PVI − Station of PVC )
=
100
∴ L= 200 × ( 56 + 92 ) − ( 54 + 24 ) 

∴ L= 200 × ( 56.92 − 54.24 )= 536 ft

The minimum length of vertical curve based on stopping sight distance is given
by L = KA, where coefficient K, for a design speed of 60 mi/h, is found as K = 151
(Table 1). Accordingly,

Lmin= KA= 151× 1.0 − ( −0.5 ) = 226.5 ft

Since L > Lmin, we conclude that the curve is indeed long enough to provide a
design speed of 60 mi/h.

► The correct answer is α.

P.5 ■ Solution
To begin, we determine the minimum length of the curve with the AASHTO
formula Lmin = KA. For a design speed of 55 mi/h, we read K = 114 (Table 1). Thus,

Lmin= 114 × 2.0 − ( −1.0 )= 342 ft

For an equal-tangent crest curve, the distance between the initial point of
vertical curve and the point of tangent intersection is D1 = 342/2 = 171 ft. The
stationing of the PVC is calculated as

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 D1 171
Station of PVC = Station of PVI − = ( 233 + 40 ) − = 231 + 69
100 100
Given the 1.71 stations between the PVC and the PVI, the elevation of the PVC is
determined next,

Elevation of PVC + G1 × N PVI-PVC =

Elevation of PVI
∴ Elevation
= of PVC Elevation of PVI − G1 × N PVI-PVC
∴ Elevation of PVC = 1203 − 2.0 ×1.71= 1199.6 ft

The curve is described by a parabola of general equation 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐.

Coefficients a and b are such that

G2 − G1 −1.0 − 2.0
a= = = −0.439
2L 2 × 3.42
b G=
= 1 2.0

while c = 1199.6 ft is the elevation of the PVC. We aim for the elevation at station
234 + 00, that is, the elevation for x = 2.34 stations. Accordingly,

−0.439 × 2.342 + 2.0 × 2.34 + 1199.6 =

y= 1201.9 ft

► The correct answer is D.

P.6 ■ Solution
With recourse to Table 1, coefficient K for this design speed is 114. The
minimum length of the vertical curve follows as

Lmin= KA= 114 ×  2.5 − ( −1.0 ) = 399 ft

The stationing of the PVC is determined as

Lmin 399
Station of PVC = Station of PVT − = (114 + 50 ) −
100 100
∴ Station of PVC = (114 + 50 ) − 3.99 = 110 + 51

The distance between the available point, which is at station 112 + 35, and the
PVC is

=D Station of point − Station of PVC

∴ D= (112 + 35) − (111 + 11)
∴ D =1 + 24 =124 ft
The curve is described by a parabola of general form 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐. Solving
for c, which is the elevation of the PVC, brings to

c =y − ax 2 − bx
Coefficients a and b are such that

G2 − G1 −1.0 − 2.5
a= = = −0.439
2L 2 × 3.99
b = G1 = +2.5

Substituting these variables, along with elevation y = 245 ft and distance D =

1.24 stations, gives

y aD 2 − bD
Elevation of PVC =−
= 245 − ( −0.439 ) ×1.242 − 2.5 ×1.24=
∴ Elevation of PVC 2
241.8 ft

To determine the stationing of the high point, recall that this is an extremum of
the curve and hence the slope therein must be zero. Thus, setting dy/dx = 0 and
solving for x yields

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 dy
= 2ax + b → 2 × ( −0.439 ) x + 2.5
= 0
dx
∴x =2.85 stations

Therefore, the station of the high point is

Station=
of high point Station of PVC + x
∴ Station of high point = (111 + 11) + ( 2 + 85) = 113 + 96

The elevation of the high point is obtained by inserting x = 2.85 stations in the
equation of the parabola,

−0.439 × 2.852 + 2.5 × 2.85 + 241.8 =

Elevation of high point = 245.4 ft

► The correct answer is B.

P.7 ■ Solution
With recourse to Table 1, the K factor for a speed of 65 mi/h is 193. The grade
difference is A = +2 – (−1) = 3.0%. The curve length is given by the product

L = KA = 193 × 3.0 = 579 ft

The station of the PVC is calculated as

L 579
Station of PVC = Station at 300 ft − = ( 535 + 24.25) − = 532 + 34.75
2 2
Similarly, the station of the PVT follows as

L 579
Station of PVT = Station at 300 ft + = ( 535 + 24.25) + = 538 + 13.75
2 2
Given the elevation Y = 300 ft, the tangent elevation of the PVC is determined as

G1 x 2 × 579
Tangent elevation of PVC =−
Y 300 −
= 294.21 ft
=
200 200
The distance from the PVC is x = 53,300 − 53,234.8 = 65.2 ft, and the offset is

Ax 2 3.0 × 65.252
Offset
= = = 0.110 ft
200 L 200 × 579
The curve elevation is then

Curve elevation = Tangent elevation − Offset = 294.21 − 0.110 = 294.10 ft

The tangent elevation for the next station, for instance, is given by

66.25
Tangent elevation
= 294.21 + 2 × = 295.52 ft
100
while the curve elevation becomes

Curve elevation = 295.52 − 0.110 = 295.41 ft

The remaining calculations are tabulated below. The curve elevation is the
difference between the data in the blue and red and columns.

Distance from PVC (x ) Tangent elevation Offset Curve Elevation

Station
(ft) (ft) (ft) (ft)
532 + 34.75 0 294.21 0 294.20
533 + 00 65.25 295.52 0.110 295.41
534 + 00 165.25 297.52 0.707 296.81
535 + 00 265.25 299.52 1.82 297.70
536 + 00 365.25 301.52 3.46 298.06
537 + 00 465.25 303.52 5.61 297.91
538 + 00 565.25 305.52 8.28 297.24
538 + 13.75 579 305.80 8.69 297.11

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 The distance from the high point of the PVC is given by

LG1 579 × 2
X high
= = = 386 ft
( G1 − G2 )  2 − ( −1)
The station of the high point follows as

Station of the high point= Station of PVC + X high= ( 532 + 34.75) + ( 3 + 86 )

∴ Station of the high point =
536 + 20.75

P.8 ■ Solution
The first step is to compute the stopping sight distance S, which is given by

u2
=S 1.47ut +
 a  
30   − G
 32.2  
Here, u = 70 mi/h is the vehicle speed when brake is applied, t = 2.5 s is the
reaction time, a = 11.2 ft/s2 is the deceleration rate, and G = 0.04 is grade
percentage. Substituting the pertaining variables gives

702
S = 1.47 × 70 × 2.5 + = 788 ft
 11.2 
30 ×  − 0.04 
 32.2 
Assume first that the sight distance is greater than the length of the curve, S > L.
The equation to apply in this case is

Lmin =2S −
( 400 + 3.5S ) =×
2 788 −
( 400 + 3.5 × 788) = 1050 ft
A  2 − ( −4 ) 

Since S ≯ L, this relation is not valid. Next, assume instead that S < L. The
applicable equation in this case is

AS 2 6 × 7882
=Lmin = = 1180 ft
400 + 3.5S 400 + 3.5 × 788
which indeed happens to be greater than S. A second aspect to verify is the
comfort criterion, whereby the curve should have a minimum length such that

Au 2 6 × 702
Lmin
= = = 632 ft
46.5 46.5
Finally, the appearance criterion imposes a minimum length such that

Lmin = 100 A= 100 × 6= 600 ft

In summary, the lengths we obtained are 1180 ft as per the sight distance
criterion, 632 ft as per the comfort criterion, and 600 ft as per the appearance
criterion. The highest value controls, and hence we take Lmin = 1180 ft as the
minimum length of the curve.
► The correct answer is D.

P.9 ■ Solution
1. True. The design speed can be determined by dint of the equation for
radius of traveled path,

V2
=R →
= V 15 R ( e + f )
15 ( e + f )

To proceed, we must determine the radius R. This can be determined with the
relation

∆ ∆
=T R tan  =
 → R T cot  
2 2

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where T = 436.76 ft is the tangent length and Δ = 40o is the intersection angle.
Thus,

 40o 
436.76 × cot 
R= =1200 ft
 2 
Returning to the expression for design speed, we find that

V = 15 ×1200 × ( 0.08 + 0.12 ) =60 mi/h

2. False. The station of the point of curve is the difference of the station of the
PI and the tangent length. Mathematically,

Station of PC = Station of PI − Tangent length = ( 2700 + 10.65 ) − 436.76

∴ Station of PC
= ( 2700 + 10.65) − ( 4 + 36.76 )
∴ Station of PC =
2695 + 73.9
3. False. The station of the PT is given by

Station
= of PT Station of PC + L
where L is the length of curve, which can be estimated as

R∆π 1200 × 40o × π

=L = = 837.8 ft
180 180
Backsubstituting in the first equation gives

Station of PT
= Station of PC +=
L ( 2695 + 73.89 ) + (8 + 37.8)
∴ Station of PT =2703 + 111.69 =2704 + 11.7
4. True. The chord length for the first even 100-ft station can be estimated as

δ 
C1 = 2 R sin  1 
2
Here, 𝛿𝛿1 is the deflection angle, which is calculated as

πR
l1 = δ1
180
where l1 = 100 – 73.9 = 26.1 ft is the length of the first arc. Solving for 𝛿𝛿1 and
substituting gives

πR 180l1
l1
= δ1 → =
δ1
180 πR
180 × 26.1
∴ δ1
= = 1.25o
π ×1200
Finally, C1 is computed as

 1.25o 
2 ×1200 × sin 
C1 = =26.2 ft
 2 

P.10 ■ Solution
Part A: Referring to Table 2 with a design speed of 50 mi/h and a
superelevation of 6%, we read a limiting coefficient of side friction of 0.14. The
radius of the travel path is determined next,

( 50 ×=1.467 )
2
V2
=Rv = 835.4 ft
 e   6 
g f +  32.2 ×  0.14 + 
 100   100 
We should add 10/2 ft to account for one of the lanes, with the result that R =
835.4 + 10/2 = 840.4 ft. Given the central angle of the curve Δ = 35o, the length of
the tangent is computed as

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  ∆  35o 
R × tan   =×
T= 840.4 tan  =264.9 ft
2  2 
The length L of the curve, in turn, is estimated as

π R∆ π × 840.4 × 35o
=L = = 513.4 ft
180 180
The station of the PT follows from the relation

L
Station
= of PT Station of PC + (I)
100
Before proceeding, we require the station of PC. This is given by

T
= Station of PI − Station of PC
100
T
∴ Station of PC =Station of PI −
100
264.9
∴ Station of PC = ( 482 + 72 ) − = 480 + 07
100
Backsubstituting into equation (I) gives

513.4
Station of PT = ( 480 + 07 ) + = 485 + 20.4
100
► The correct answer is B.

Part B: To assess the need for width space in the shoulder edge, we first
calculate the necessary middle ordinate Ms,

  90 × SSD  
M s Rv 1 − cos 
= 
  π Rv  
Reading Table 1, the stopping sight distance for a design speed of 50 mi/h is 425
ft. Accordingly,

  90 × 425  
M=
s 840.4 × 1 − cos  = 26.72 ft
  π × 840.4  
The distance that needs to be cleared from the lane’s shoulder is given by the
difference

D =M s − ( Lane width ) 2 =26.72 − 10 2 =21.72 ft

► The correct answer is C.

P.11 ■ Solution
For the specified superelevation and design speed, Table 2 gives a limiting
friction factor of 0.10. The radius of the travel path follows as

( 70 ×=1.467 )
2
V2
=Rv = 2046.8 ft
 e   6 
g f +  32.2 ×  0.10 + 
 100   100 
The length of the tangent is

T
= Station of PI − Station of=
PC → T (Station of PI − Station of PC ) ×100
100
T (130 + 90 ) − (123 + 70 )  ×100
∴= = 720 ft

The station of the final point of horizontal curve (PT) is

L
Station
= of PT Station of PC + (I)
100

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 Before proceeding, we must compute the length of the horizontal curve, L,
which is given by

π R∆
L=
180
The central angle of the curve, Δ, is determined as

∆ T ∆
=T R tan  =→ tan  
2 R 2
∆ T 
∴ arctan  
=
2 R
T   720  o
∴∆ = 2 arctan   = 2 × arctan   = 38.76
R  2046.8 
so that

π × 2046.8 × 38.76
=L = 1384.6 ft
180
Backsubstituting into equation (I) gives

1384.6
Station of PT = (123 + 70 ) + = 137 + 54.6
2
► The correct answer is A.

P.12 ■ Solution
With reference to Table 1, the minimum stopping sight distance for a speed of
50 mi/h is 425 ft. The radius of the curve is estimated as

18, 000 18, 000

=R = = 1909.9 ft
πD π ×3
The radial distance to the middle of the inside lane is r = 1909.9 – 6 = 1903.9 ft.
The middle ordinate Ms is determined next,

  28.65 × S     28.65 × 425  

M s = r 1 − cos    = 1903.9 × 1 − cos    = 11.85 ft
  r    1903.9  
The middle ordinate is 11.85 ft measured from the middle of the inside lane to
the edge of the sight obstruction. The minimum distance for this case from the
edge of pavement is 11.85 – 6 = 5.85 ft. Since the provided distance of 7 ft is
greater than the minimum distance of 5.85 ft, the location of the sign does not
restrict the recommended stopping sight distance on the curve.

► The correct answer is β.

P.13 ■ Solution
To begin, we compute the middle ordinate distance Ms, which is given by the
difference

Lane width
Ms =Distance available − =34 − 12 2 =28 ft
2
Assume a design speed of 60 mi/h. Referring to Table 2, the limiting coefficient
of side friction is 0.12. Substituting this and other pertaining variables in the
equation for radius of traveled path brings to

( 60 ×=1.467 )
2
V2
( Rv )60
= =
e  8 
1203 ft
 
g f +  32.2 ×  0.12 + 
 100   100 
Reading Table 1, we see that a design speed of 60 mi/h corresponds to a
stopping sight distance of 570 ft. Evoking the equation for middle ordinate Ms and
substituting the pertaining data, we get

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   90 × SSD     90 × 570  
( M s )60= ( Rv )60 1 − cos   = 1203 × 1 − cos   = 33.58 ft
  π ( Rv )60     π ×1203  

Since this is more than the available Ms of 28.0 ft obtained in the first equation,
we conclude that a design speed of 60 mi/h would not be adequate for this curve.
In a second trial, let the design speed be 50 mi/h. From Table 1, the coefficient of
friction is now 0.14. The radius of traveled path, in turn, is calculated as

( 50 ×1.467 )
2

=( Rv )50 =
8 
759.5 ft

32.2 ×  0.14 + 
 100 
With reference to Table 2, we take a stopping sight distance of 425 ft. The value
of Ms is now

  90 × 425  
( M s )= 759.5 × 1 − cos  = 29.53 ft
 π × 759.5  
50

Again, this is above the available middle ordinate of 28.0 ft, and hence we
conclude that a design speed of 50 mi/h would not be safe either. In a third
attempt, let the design speed be 40 mi/h. From Table 1, the coefficient of friction is
now 0.16. The radius of traveled path, in sequence, follows as

( 40 ×1.467 )
2

=( Rv )40 =
8 
445.6 ft

32.2 ×  0.16 + 
 100 
With reference to Table 1, we extract a stopping sight distance of 305 ft. The
value of Ms is then

  90 × 305  
( M s )= 445.6 × 1 − cos  = 25.85 ft
 π × 445.6  
40

This, at last, is less than the available middle ordinate of 28 ft. The speed is
suitable. Among the design speeds provided, the highest value for which the curve
would be deemed safe is 40 mi/h.

► The correct answer is B.

► ANSWER SUMMARY
Problem 1 T/F
Problem 2 C
Problem 3 T/F
Problem 4 α
Problem 5 D
Problem 6 B
Problem 7 Open-ended pb.
Problem 8 D
Problem 9 T/F
10A B
Problem 10
10B C
Problem 11 A
Problem 12 β
Problem 13 B

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► REFERENCES
 FINDLEY, D., SCHROEDER, B., CUNNINGHAM, C., and BROWN, T. (2016).
Highway Engineering. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
 GARBER, N. and HOEL, L. (2009). Traffic and Highway Engineering. 4th
edition. Stamford: Cengage Learning.
 MANNERING, F. and WASHBURN, S. (2013). Highway Engineering and Traffic
Analysis. 5th edition. Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons.

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