CE 4130

TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

INSTRUCTOR:
JOHN LORENZ S. TUALA
OUTLINE

Simple Curves Compound Curves

Reversed Curves Spiral Curves

Symmetrical Parabolic Unsymmetrical

Curves Parabolic Curves

Sight Distances Traffic Engineering

SIMPLE CURVES
SIMPLE CURVES TERM SYMBOL DEFINITION
Point of Curvature PC Start of the simple curve
Point of Tangency PT End of the simple curve
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Point of Intersection PI Turning point of the tangent lines
Radius of the circle containing the
Radius of the Curve R curve
Angle subtending a curve length of
Degree of Curvature D one station
Length of tangent from PC to PI,
Tangent Distance T and from PI to PT
Angle of Intersection I Deflection angle
External Distance E Distance from PI to M
Distance from M to midpoint of
Middle Ordinate m chord length
Length of the Curve Lc Length of curve from PC to PT
Angle from a tangent line to any
Deflection Angle θ point of the curve
Chord Length L Shortest distance from PC to PT
Curve Midpoint M Midpoint of the simple curve
Tangent Offset Perpendicular distance from a
Distance
x tangent line to any point of the curve
SIMPLE CURVES
FORMULAS

Degree of Curvature 1. Arc Basis 2. Chord Basis

• 𝑆𝑆 = 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
• 𝐷𝐷 = 𝑆𝑆⁄𝑅𝑅 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 • sin
𝐷𝐷°
=
10

A. Metric System • 𝐷𝐷 =
20 180° 2 𝑅𝑅
10
𝑅𝑅 𝜋𝜋 • 𝐷𝐷° = 2 sin−1
1145.92 𝑅𝑅
• 𝐷𝐷° =
𝑅𝑅

• 𝑆𝑆 = 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
𝐷𝐷° 50
• 𝐷𝐷 = 𝑆𝑆⁄𝑅𝑅 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 • sin =
B. English System • 𝐷𝐷 =
100 180° 2 𝑅𝑅
50
𝑅𝑅 𝜋𝜋 • 𝐷𝐷° = 2 sin−1
5729.58 𝑅𝑅
• 𝐷𝐷° =
𝑅𝑅
SIMPLE CURVES
A simple curve has a central angle of 360 and a
degree of curve of 60.
a) Find the nearest distance from the
midpoint of the curve to the point of
intersection of the tangents.

Solution:
• External Distance, E:
1145.92
o 𝐷𝐷° =
𝑅𝑅
1145.92
o 𝑅𝑅 = = 190.99𝑚𝑚
6
o 𝑅𝑅 = 𝑅𝑅 + 𝐸𝐸 cos 18°
o 𝐸𝐸 = 9.83𝑚𝑚
SIMPLE CURVES
A simple curve has a central angle of 360 and a
degree of curve of 60.
b) Compute the distance from the midpoint
of the curve to the midpoint of the long
chord joining the point of curvature and
the point of tangency.

Solution:
• Middle Ordinate, m:
1145.92
o 𝐷𝐷° =
𝑅𝑅
1145.92
o 𝑅𝑅 = = 190.99𝑚𝑚
6
o 𝑅𝑅 − 𝑚𝑚 = 𝑅𝑅 cos 18°
o 𝑚𝑚 = 9.35𝑚𝑚
SIMPLE CURVES
A simple curve has a central angle of 360 and a
degree of curve of 60.
c) If the stationing of PC is 10+020, find
the stationing of a point on the curve
which intersects with the line making a
deflection angle of 80 with the tangent
through PC.

Solution:
• Arc length, s:
1145.92 1145.92
o 𝑅𝑅 = = = 190.99𝑚𝑚
𝐷𝐷° 6°
o 𝜃𝜃 = 8°
o 2𝜃𝜃 = 16°
𝜋𝜋
o 𝑠𝑠 = 𝑅𝑅 2𝜃𝜃 = 190.99 16° × = 53.33𝑚𝑚
180°
o 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 10 + 020 + 53.33 = 10 + 073.33
COMPOUND CURVES
DEFINITION OF TERMS COMPOUND CURVES
TERM SYMBOL DEFINITION
Point of Curvature PC Start of the compound curve
Point of Tangency PT End of the compound curve
Point of Intersection PI Turning point of the tangent lines
Point of Compound End & start point of the first &
Curvature
PCC second curve, respectively
Radii of the circles containing the
Radius of the Curves R1 , R 2 curves
Length of the tangents of the two
Tangent Distance T1 , T2 curves
Angle of Intersection I Total deflection angle
Length of Curve 1 Lc1 Length of curve from PC to PCC
Length of Curve 2 Lc2 Length of curve from PCC to PT
Chord Length of
L1 Shortest distance from PC to PCC
Curve 1
Chord Length of
L2 Shortest distance from PCC to PT
Curve 2
Chord Length of the
Compound Curve
L Shortest distance from PC to PT
 COMPOUND CURVES
The long chord of a compound curve is
equal to 250m and the angles it makes with the
tangents are equal to 80 and 100, respectively.
Find the radii, R1 and R2, when the common
tangent is parallel to the long chord.

Solution:
• 𝐿𝐿 ∥ 𝑇𝑇1 + 𝑇𝑇2
o 𝛼𝛼 = 8° = 𝐼𝐼1
o 𝛽𝛽 = 10° = 𝐼𝐼2
• Ratio & Proportion
o 𝐼𝐼 = 𝛼𝛼 + 𝛽𝛽 = 18°
o 180 − 𝐼𝐼 = 162°
250 𝑇𝑇 +𝑥𝑥 𝑇𝑇 +𝑦𝑦
o = 1 = 2
sin 162° sin 10° sin 8°
o 𝑇𝑇1 + 𝑥𝑥 = 140.48𝑚𝑚
o 𝑇𝑇2 + 𝑦𝑦 = 112.59𝑚𝑚
COMPOUND CURVES

Solution:
• Ratio & Proportion
o 𝑇𝑇1 + 𝑥𝑥 = 140.48𝑚𝑚
o 𝑇𝑇2 + 𝑦𝑦 = 112.59𝑚𝑚
𝑇𝑇 +𝑇𝑇 𝑥𝑥 𝑦𝑦
o 1 2 = =
sin 162° sin 10° sin 8°
o 𝑥𝑥 = 0.56 𝑇𝑇1 + 𝑇𝑇2
o 𝑦𝑦 = 0.45 𝑇𝑇1 + 𝑇𝑇2
o 1.56𝑇𝑇1 + 0.56𝑇𝑇2 = 140.48
o 0.45𝑇𝑇1 + 1.45𝑇𝑇2 = 112.59
o 𝑇𝑇1 = 69.97𝑚𝑚
o 𝑇𝑇2 = 55.93𝑚𝑚
COMPOUND CURVES

Solution:
• Simple curve:
o 𝑇𝑇1 = 69.97𝑚𝑚
o 𝐼𝐼1 = 8°
o 𝑅𝑅1 = 𝑇𝑇1� 𝐼𝐼1� = 69.97⁄tan 4°
tan 2
o 𝑅𝑅1 = 1000.62𝑚𝑚

o 𝑇𝑇2 = 55.93𝑚𝑚
o 𝐼𝐼2 = 10°
o 𝑅𝑅2 = 𝑇𝑇2� 𝐼𝐼2� = 55.93⁄tan 5°
tan 2
o 𝑅𝑅2 = 639.28𝑚𝑚
REVERSED CURVES
REVERSED CURVES
DEFINITION OF TERMS

TERM SYMBOL DEFINITION

Point of Curvature PC Start of the reversed curves
Point of Tangency PT End of the reversed curves
Point of Reversed End & start point of the first &
Curvature
PRC second curve, respectively
Radii of the circles containing the
Radius of the Curves R1 , R 2 curves
Length of the tangents of the two
Tangent Distance T1 , T2 curves
Length of Curve 1 Lc1 Length of curve from PC to PCC
Length of Curve 2 Lc2 Length of curve from PCC to PT
REVERSED CURVES
 REVERSED CURVES
Two parallel tangents 20m apart are to be
connected by a reversed curve with equal radius
at the PC and PT. The total length of chord from
the PC to the PT is 150m. Stationing of PC is
10+200.
a) Find the radius of the reversed curve.
b) Find the length of chord from PC to PRC.
c) Find the stationing of PT.
Solution: • Length of the Chord (PC to PRC):
20 1
• sin 𝜃𝜃 = ; 𝜃𝜃 = 7.66° o 𝐿𝐿 = 150 = 75𝑚𝑚
2
150
• 𝐼𝐼 = 2𝜃𝜃 = 15.32° • Stationing of PT:
• Radius of the reversed curve: o 𝐿𝐿𝑐𝑐 = 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 = 75.22𝑚𝑚
o 2𝑇𝑇 = 20⁄sin 𝐼𝐼 ; 𝑇𝑇 = 37.84𝑚𝑚 o 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 10 + 200 + 2𝐿𝐿𝑐𝑐
o 𝑅𝑅 = 𝑇𝑇⁄tan 𝜃𝜃 ; 𝑅𝑅 = 281.25𝑚𝑚 o 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 10 + 350.45
SPIRAL CURVES
SPIRAL CURVES

DEFINITION OF TERMS
SPIRAL CURVES
DEFINITION OF TERMS

TERM SYMBOL DEFINITION

Tangent to Spiral TS Start point of the back spiral curve
Start and end point of the simple and the back spiral curve,
Spiral to Curve SC respectively
End and starting point of the simple and the forward spiral
Curve to Spiral CS curve, respectively
Spiral to Tangent ST End point of the forward spiral curve
Point of Intersection PI Point of intersection of the spiral tangents
Angle of Intersection I Total deflection angle of the tangent lengths
Spiral Tangent Distance 𝑇𝑇𝑠𝑠 Length of tangent from TS to PI
External Distance 𝐸𝐸𝑠𝑠 Distance from PI to middle of simple curve
Radius R Radius of simple curve
Length of Throw p Offset distance of a circular curve from the spiral tangent
SPIRAL CURVES
DEFINITION OF TERMS

SYMBOL DEFINITION
𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠 Total length of spiral
L Length of spiral from TS to any point on the curve
𝜃𝜃𝑠𝑠 Spiral angle of SC
𝜃𝜃 Spiral angle of any point on the spiral curve
𝑖𝑖𝑠𝑠 Deflection angle of SC
i Deflection angle of any point on the spiral curve
𝑋𝑋𝑐𝑐 Offset distance of SC from the spiral tangent
Offset distance of any point on the curve from the
X spiral tangent
Distance of SC from TS projected on the spiral
𝑌𝑌𝑐𝑐 tangent
Distance of any point on the spiral curve from TS
Y projected on the spiral tangent
 SPIRAL CURVES
FORMULAS

Distance Along Tangent to Any Point on the Spiral: Tangent Distance:

𝐿𝐿5 𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠 3 𝐼𝐼 𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠
𝑦𝑦 = 𝐿𝐿 − 𝑇𝑇𝑠𝑠 = 𝑅𝑅 + 𝑃𝑃 tan +
2 2 ; 𝑦𝑦𝑐𝑐 = 𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠 − 40𝑅𝑅 2 2 2
40𝑅𝑅 𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠
External Distance:
Offset Distance from Tangent to Any Point on the Spiral: 𝑅𝑅 + 𝑃𝑃
2
𝐿𝐿3 𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠 𝐸𝐸 =
𝐼𝐼
− 𝑅𝑅
𝑥𝑥 = ; 𝑥𝑥𝑐𝑐 = cos �2
6𝑅𝑅𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠 6𝑅𝑅
Spiral Angle from Tangent to Any Point on the Spiral: Angle of Intersection of Simple Curve:
𝐿𝐿2 𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠 𝐼𝐼𝑐𝑐 = 𝐼𝐼 − 2𝜃𝜃𝑠𝑠
𝜃𝜃 = ; 𝜃𝜃 = Length of Throw:
2𝑅𝑅𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠 2𝑅𝑅
𝑥𝑥𝑐𝑐 𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠 2
Deflection Angle from TS to Any Point on the Spiral: 𝑃𝑃 = =
𝜃𝜃 𝜃𝜃𝑠𝑠 4 24𝑅𝑅
𝑖𝑖 = ; 𝑖𝑖𝑠𝑠 = Degree of Spiral Curve at Any Point:
3 3
𝐷𝐷 𝐿𝐿
=
𝐷𝐷𝑐𝑐 𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠
 SPIRAL CURVES
FORMULAS

Desirable Length of Spiral:

0.036𝑣𝑣 3
𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠 = ; 𝑣𝑣 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝑅𝑅
Super Elevation Rate, e:
𝑒𝑒 = tan 𝜃𝜃
𝑣𝑣 2 𝑚𝑚
tan 𝜃𝜃 + ∅ = ; 𝑣𝑣 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 & 𝑅𝑅 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑚𝑚
𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 𝑠𝑠
0.0079𝑣𝑣 2
𝑒𝑒 = tan 𝜃𝜃 + ∅ = ; 𝑣𝑣 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 & 𝑅𝑅 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑚𝑚
𝑅𝑅
Rate of Change of Centripetal Acceleration:
𝑣𝑣 3 𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚
𝑞𝑞 = ; 3 ; 𝑣𝑣 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 ; 𝑅𝑅 & 𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑚𝑚
𝑅𝑅𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠
SPIRAL CURVES The tangents of a spiral curve forms an angle of
intersection of 250 at STA 2+058. Design speed is 80kph.
For a radius of central curve of 300m and a length of spiral
of 52.10m,
a) Find the stationing at the point where the spiral starts.
b) Find the stationing of the start of central curve.

Solution:
• Stationing of TS
o 𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠 = 52.10𝑚𝑚; 𝑅𝑅 = 300𝑚𝑚; 𝐼𝐼 = 25°
𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠 2
o 𝑃𝑃 = = 0.377𝑚𝑚
24𝑅𝑅
𝐼𝐼 𝐿𝐿
o 𝑇𝑇𝑠𝑠 = 𝑅𝑅 + 𝑃𝑃 tan + 𝑠𝑠 = 92.642𝑚𝑚
2 2
o 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 2 + 058 − 92.642
o 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 1 + 965.36
• Stationing of SC
o 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 1 + 965.36 + 𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠
o 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 2 + 017.46
SPIRAL CURVES
The tangents of a spiral curve forms an angle
of intersection of 250 at STA 2+058. Design
speed is 80kph. For a radius of central curve of
300m and a length of spiral of 52.10m,
c) Find the length of central curve.

Solution:
• Length of Central Curve
o 𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠 = 52.10𝑚𝑚; 𝑅𝑅 = 300𝑚𝑚; 𝐼𝐼 = 25°
𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠 180°
o 𝜃𝜃𝑠𝑠 = × = 4.975°
2𝑅𝑅 𝜋𝜋
o 𝐼𝐼𝑐𝑐 = 𝐼𝐼 − 2𝜃𝜃𝑠𝑠 = 15.050°
o 𝐿𝐿𝑐𝑐 = 𝑅𝑅𝐼𝐼𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 = 78.80𝑚𝑚
SYMMETRICAL
PARABOLIC CURVES
SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
TERM SYMBOL DEFINITION
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Point of Curvature PC Start of the vertical parabolic curve
Point of Tangency PT End of the vertical parabolic curve
Point of Intersection PI Intersection of the tangents
Horizontal distance (plan projection)
Length of Curve L between PT & PC
𝑆𝑆1 Distance of summit from PC
𝑆𝑆2 Distance of summit from PT
Elevation difference between
ℎ1 summit and PC
Elevation difference between
ℎ2 summit and PT
Grade 1 𝑔𝑔1 Grade of back tangent
Grade 2 𝑔𝑔2 Grade of forward tangent
A Grade change between the tangents
Vertical distance between the
H parabolic curve and PI
SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES

FORMULAS

Vertical Distance:

𝐿𝐿
𝐻𝐻 = 𝐺𝐺1 − 𝐺𝐺2
8
𝑦𝑦1 𝑦𝑦2
2
= 2
𝑥𝑥1 𝑥𝑥2
SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
A parabolic curve has a descending grade of
-0.8% which meets an ascending grade of 0.4%
at STA 10+020. The maximum allowable
change of grade per 20-m station is 0.15%.
Elevation at STA 10+020 is 240.60m.
a) What is the length of the curve?

Solution:
0.0015 −0.008−0.004
• =
20𝑚𝑚 𝐿𝐿
0.012
• 𝐿𝐿 = 20𝑚𝑚
0.0015
• 𝐿𝐿 = 160𝑚𝑚
SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
A parabolic curve has a descending grade of
-0.8% which meets an ascending grade of 0.4%
at STA 10+020. The maximum allowable
change of grade per 20-m station is 0.15%.
Elevation at STA 10+020 is 240.60m.
b) Compute the elevation of the lowest
point of the curve.
Solution:
0.008 0.004 0.004
• = =
𝑆𝑆1 𝐿𝐿−𝑆𝑆1 160−𝑆𝑆1
• 𝑆𝑆1 = 106.67𝑚𝑚; 𝑆𝑆2 = 𝑥𝑥2 = 53.33𝑚𝑚
𝐿𝐿 160
• 𝐻𝐻 = 𝐺𝐺1 − 𝐺𝐺2 = −0.008 − 0.004 = 0.24𝑚𝑚
8 8
• 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸. 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 = 240.60𝑚𝑚
𝑦𝑦1 𝑦𝑦2 𝐻𝐻 𝑦𝑦2
• 2 = 2; 2 = 2 ; 𝑦𝑦2 = 0.11𝑚𝑚
𝑥𝑥1 𝑥𝑥2 0.5𝐿𝐿 𝑥𝑥2
𝐿𝐿
• 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸. = 240.60 + 0.004 − 𝑥𝑥2 + 𝑦𝑦2 = 240.81𝑚𝑚
2
SYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
A parabolic curve has a descending grade of
-0.8% which meets an ascending grade of 0.4%
at STA 10+020. The maximum allowable
change of grade per 20-m station is 0.15%.
Elevation at STA 10+020 is 240.60m.
c) Compute the elevation of STA 10+000.

Solution:
• 𝑆𝑆1 = 106.67𝑚𝑚; 𝑆𝑆2 = 𝑥𝑥2 = 53.33𝑚𝑚
• 𝐻𝐻 = 0.24𝑚𝑚
• 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸. 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 = 240.60𝑚𝑚
𝑦𝑦 𝑦𝑦 𝐻𝐻 𝑦𝑦1 0.24 𝑦𝑦1
• 12 = 22 ; 2 = 2 ; 2 = ; 𝑦𝑦1 = 0.135𝑚𝑚
𝑥𝑥1 𝑥𝑥2 0.5𝐿𝐿 𝑥𝑥1 80 0.5𝐿𝐿−20 2
• 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸. = 240.60 + 0.008 20 + 𝑦𝑦1 = 240.895𝑚𝑚
UNSYMMETRICAL
PARABOLIC CURVES
UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
FORMULAS
DEFINITION OF TERMS
𝐺𝐺1 − 𝐺𝐺2 𝐿𝐿1 𝐿𝐿2 𝑔𝑔1 𝐿𝐿1 + 𝑔𝑔2 𝐿𝐿2
𝐻𝐻 = 𝑔𝑔3 =
2𝐿𝐿 𝐿𝐿
SYMBOL DEFINITION
PVC Start of the parabolic curve
PVT End of the parabolic curve
V Intersection of the main tangents
𝑔𝑔1 Grade of the back tangent
𝑔𝑔2 Grade of the forward tangent
𝑔𝑔3 Grade of the common tangent
Vertical distance from V to the
H common point of the curves
Lengths of two parabolic curves
𝐿𝐿1 , 𝐿𝐿2 comprising the unsymmetrical curve
 UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
A forward tangent having a slope of -4% intersects the back
tangent having a slope of +7% at point V at STA 6+300 having an
elevation of 230m. It is required to connect the two tangents with an
unsymmetrical parabolic curve that shall pass through point A on the
curve having an elevation of 227.57m at STA 6+270. The length of
the curve is 60m on the side of the back tangent.
a) Determine the length of the curve on the side
of the forward tangent.

Solution:
• Calculating the value of H:
o 𝑥𝑥1 = 6 + 300 − 6 + 270 = 30𝑚𝑚
o 𝑎𝑎 = 0.07𝑥𝑥1 = 0.07 30 = 2.10𝑚𝑚
o 𝑦𝑦1 = 230 − 𝑎𝑎 − 227.57 = 0.33𝑚𝑚
𝑦𝑦 𝐻𝐻 • Calculating 𝐿𝐿2 :
o 12 = 2 ; 𝐻𝐻 = 1.32𝑚𝑚 𝐺𝐺1 −𝐺𝐺2 𝐿𝐿1 𝐿𝐿2
𝑥𝑥1 𝐿𝐿1 o 𝐻𝐻 =
2𝐿𝐿
0.07− −0.04 60𝐿𝐿2
o 1.32 =
2 60+𝐿𝐿2
o 𝐿𝐿2 = 40𝑚𝑚
 UNSYMMETRICAL PARABOLIC CURVES
b) Determine the stationing of the highest point of the curve.
c) Determine the elevation of the highest point of the curve.
Solution:
• Calculating 𝑔𝑔3 :
o 𝐿𝐿1 = 60𝑚𝑚; 𝑔𝑔1 = 0.07
o 𝐿𝐿2 = 40𝑚𝑚; 𝑔𝑔2 = −0.04
𝑔𝑔 𝐿𝐿 +𝑔𝑔 𝐿𝐿 𝑔𝑔 𝐿𝐿 +𝑔𝑔 𝐿𝐿
o 𝑔𝑔3 = 1 1 2 2 = 1 1 2 2 = 0.026
𝐿𝐿 𝐿𝐿1 +𝐿𝐿2
• Calculating s:
𝑔𝑔 0.04
o 3= ; 𝑠𝑠 = 15.76𝑚𝑚
𝑠𝑠 40−𝑠𝑠
• Calculating stationing of highest point:
o 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 6 + 300 + 15.76 = 6 + 315.76

• Elevation of highest point: o 𝑦𝑦2 𝐻𝐻 1.32

= =
𝐿𝐿2 −𝑥𝑥2 2 𝐿𝐿22 402
o 𝑥𝑥2 = 𝑠𝑠 = 15.76𝑚𝑚
o 𝑦𝑦2 = 0.48𝑚𝑚
o 𝑏𝑏 = 0.04𝑥𝑥2 = 0.63𝑚𝑚
o 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸. = 230 − 𝑏𝑏 − 𝑦𝑦2 = 228.89𝑚𝑚
SIGHT DISTANCES
 STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCE
STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCE, SSD

• 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 A car traveling at 60kph applies a brake and
• 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 + 𝐷𝐷 stopped at a distance of 30m. The coefficient of
2
• 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 +
𝑣𝑣 friction between the tires and the road is 0.5. What is
2𝑔𝑔 𝑓𝑓±𝑔𝑔 the grade of the road?
• Time
o 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 − 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 = 2.5 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
o 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 = 1.5 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 Solution:
o 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 = 1.0 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑣𝑣 2
• 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 =
2𝑔𝑔 𝑓𝑓±𝑔𝑔
• 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 30𝑚𝑚
𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 1ℎ𝑟𝑟 1000𝑚𝑚 16.67𝑚𝑚
• 𝑣𝑣 = 60 × × =
ℎ𝑟𝑟 3600𝑠𝑠 1𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 𝑠𝑠
16.672
• 30 =
2 9.81 0.5+𝑔𝑔
• 𝑔𝑔 = −0.0281 = −2.81%
SITE DISTANCE ON HORIZONTAL CURVES
DEFINITION OF TERMS Formula:

Stopping Sight
Distance Horizontal Sight 28.65𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆
Line Offset Exact 𝑀𝑀 = 𝑅𝑅 1 − cos
𝑅𝑅

𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆2
Approximate 𝑀𝑀 =
8𝑅𝑅
Line of
Sight
Obstruction Example: The clearance to an obstruction is 9m and the
desirable sight distance when rounding a horizontal curve
is 180m. Determine the minimum radius of the horizontal
Travel Path curve. (450m)
Centerline
Solution: Solution:
Radius of • Exact method: • Approximate method:
Curve o 𝑅𝑅 = 448.56𝑚𝑚 o 𝑅𝑅 = 450𝑚𝑚
SIGHT DISTANCE ON VERTICAL PARABOLIC SUMMIT CURVES
DEFINITION OF TERMS

SYMBOL DEFINITION
VPI Vertical point of intersection of the tangents
VPC Vertical point of curvature
VPT Vertical point of tangency
L Horizontally projected length of the curve
𝑔𝑔1 Grade of the back tangent
𝑔𝑔2 Grade of the forward tangent
Eye height above the ground level of the
ℎ1 driver in the vehicle
(𝑔𝑔1 − 𝑔𝑔2 )(𝑆𝑆 2 )
S<L 𝐿𝐿 =
Height or eye height of the object or ( 2ℎ1 + 2ℎ2 )2
ℎ2 vehicle, respectively, ahead of the vehicle
in concern
Stopping sight distance of the vehicle in
S 2( ℎ1 + ℎ2 )2
concern S>L 𝐿𝐿 = 2𝑆𝑆 −
(𝑔𝑔1 − 𝑔𝑔2 )
PASSING SIGHT DISTANCE ON VERTICAL PARABOLIC SUMMIT CURVES

DEFINITION OF TERMS

SYMBOL DEFINITION
Vertical point of intersection of
VPI the tangents
VPC Vertical point of curvature
VPT Vertical point of tangency
Horizontally projected length of
L the curve
𝑔𝑔1 Grade of the back tangent S<L
𝑔𝑔2 Grade of the forward tangent (𝑔𝑔1 − 𝑔𝑔2 )(𝑆𝑆 2 ) (𝑔𝑔1 − 𝑔𝑔2 )(𝑆𝑆 2 )
(𝑔𝑔1 − 𝑔𝑔2 )(𝑆𝑆 2 )
Eye height above the ground
𝐿𝐿 = = =
( 2ℎ1 + 2ℎ2 )2 ( 2 × 1.08 + 2 × 1.08)2 8.64
ℎ1 level of the driver of one
vehicle; assumed to be 1.08m
Eye height above the ground
ℎ2 level of the driver in another S>L
vehicle; assumed to be 1.08m 2 2
S Passing sight distance 2 ℎ1 + ℎ2 2 1.08 + 1.08 8.64
𝐿𝐿 = 2𝑆𝑆 − = 2𝑆𝑆 − = 2𝑆𝑆 −
𝑔𝑔1 − 𝑔𝑔2 𝑔𝑔1 − 𝑔𝑔2 𝑔𝑔1 − 𝑔𝑔2
 SIGHT DISTANCES ON VERTICAL PARABOLIC SAG CURVES
DEFINITION OF TERMS: Light Beam or Headlight Distance

SYMBOL DEFINITION
L Horizontally projected length of the curve
𝑔𝑔1 Grade of the back tangent
𝑔𝑔2 Grade of the forward tangent
Headlight height; can be assumed to be
𝐻𝐻 0.6m
Upward divergence of light beam from
𝛽𝛽 longitudinal axis of the vehicle; typically 1°
S Headlight distance

(𝑔𝑔1 − 𝑔𝑔2 ) 𝑆𝑆 2
S<L 𝐿𝐿 =
2(𝑆𝑆 tan 𝛽𝛽 + 𝐻𝐻)

2(𝐻𝐻 + 𝑆𝑆 tan 𝛽𝛽)

S>L 𝐿𝐿 = 2𝑆𝑆 −
𝑔𝑔1 − 𝑔𝑔2
SIGHT DISTANCES ON VERTICAL PARABOLIC SAG CURVES

Recommended Length of Sag Vertical Curve

for a given Design Speed

𝑉𝑉 2
𝐿𝐿 = 𝑔𝑔1 − 𝑔𝑔2
395

SYMBOL DEFINITION
L Horizontally projected length of the curve, m
Grade of the back tangent; in percentage form
𝑔𝑔1 and not in decimal
Grade of the forward tangent; in percentage
𝑔𝑔2 form and not in decimal
𝑉𝑉 Design speed in kph
 SIGHT DISTANCES ON VERTICAL PARABOLIC SAG CURVES
DEFINITION OF TERMS: Sight Distance at Under-Crossings
SYMBOL DEFINITION
L Horizontally projected length of the curve
𝑔𝑔1 Grade of the back tangent
𝑔𝑔2 Grade of the forward tangent
Eye height above the ground level of the
ℎ1 driver in the vehicle
Height or eye height of the object or
ℎ2 vehicle, respectively, ahead of the vehicle
in concern
S Sight distance
C Vertical clearance

𝑔𝑔1 − 𝑔𝑔2 𝑆𝑆 2 ℎ1 + ℎ2
𝐿𝐿 = 8 𝐶𝐶 −
S<L ℎ1 + ℎ2 S>L 2
8 𝐶𝐶 − 𝐿𝐿 = 2𝑆𝑆 −
2 𝑔𝑔1 − 𝑔𝑔2
TRAFFIC
ENGINEERING
TIME MEAN SPEED DEFINITION OF TERMS

Time Mean Speed

Problem: • Average of Spot Speeds
The following data were taken on five cars • Average Speed of Vehicles passing a
traversing a 2.4-km highway. Compute the Time point at a particular time
Mean Speed.
Solution:
Car Time (Minutes) Car Time (Minutes) D (km) V (kph)
A 1.3 A 1.3 2.4 110.77
B 1.1 B 1.1 2.4 130.91
C 1.4 C 1.4 2.4 102.86
D 1.0 D 1.0 2.4 144.00
E 1.2 E 1.2 2.4 120.00
Total 608.54
Time Mean Speed 121.71
SPACE MEAN SPEED DEFINITION OF TERMS

Problem: Space Mean Speed

The following data were taken on five cars • Average of vehicle speeds in a
traversing a 2.4-km highway. Compute the particular section of a highway
Space Mean Speed. • Harmonic mean of spot speeds

Car Time (Minutes) Solution:

A 1.3 Car Time (Min) D (km) V (kph) 1/V
B 1.1 A 1.3 2.4 110.77 0.00903
C 1.4 B 1.1 2.4 130.91 0.00764
D 1.0 C 1.4 2.4 102.86 0.00972

E 1.2 D 1.0 2.4 144.00 0.00694

E 1.2 2.4 120.00 0.00833
Total 0.04166
1/𝑉𝑉 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = 1/𝑉𝑉 𝑇𝑇 /5 0.008332
Space Mean Speed, 1/ 1/𝑉𝑉 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 120 kph
 SPACE MEAN SPEED

Problem: Solution:
From the following data of a freeway Car D (m) t (s) V (kph)
surveillance, there are 5 vehicles under
observation and the following distances are the A 24.4 2.0 43.92
distances each vehicle had traveled when B 25.8 2.0 46.44
observed every 2 seconds. C 24.7 2.0 44.46
D 26.9 2.0 48.42
Vehicle Distance (m) Vehicle Distance (m)
E 22.9 2.0 41.22
1 24.4 4 26.9
Total 224.46
2 25.8 5 22.9
Space Mean Speed, 𝑉𝑉𝑇𝑇 /5 44.89
3 24.7
OTHER CONCEPTS

The spacing of the cars moving along the

Compute the rate of flow in vehicles per
same lane of an expressway is 40m center to
hour if the space mean speed is 30mph and the
center. If the average velocity of the car is
density is 14 vehicles per km.
80kph, determine the volume of traffic.

Solution: Solution:
• Number of cars in 1km: • Number of cars in 1km:
o 𝑁𝑁 = 1000𝑚𝑚⁄40𝑚𝑚 = 25 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 o 𝑁𝑁 = 14 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
• Number of cars in 80km: • Number of cars in 30 miles:
80𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 30 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
o 𝑁𝑁 = 25 × = 2000 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 o 𝑁𝑁 = 14 × = 675.92 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣
1𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 1𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
• Traffic volume: • Rate of flow:
o 𝑉𝑉 = 2000 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣/ℎ𝑟𝑟 o 𝑉𝑉 = 675.92 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣/ℎ𝑟𝑟
 OTHER CONCEPTS

Compute the peak hour factor if the The number of accidents for 6 years
hourly volume of traffic is 1800 vehicles/hour recorded in a certain section of a highway is
and the highest 15-min volume is 750. PHK is 5892. if the average daily traffic is 476,
the ratio of total hourly volume to the determine the accident rate per million
maximum rate of flow within the hour. entering vehicles.

Solution: Solution:
• Total hourly volume: • Total number of entering vehicles:
o 𝑉𝑉𝑇𝑇 = 1800 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣/ℎ𝑟𝑟 o 𝑁𝑁 = 6 × 365 × 476 = 1042440
• Peak hourly volume: • Number of accidents per entering vehicle:
750 60𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 5892 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
o 𝑉𝑉𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = × = 3000 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣/ℎ𝑟𝑟 o 𝑁𝑁 = = 0.005652
15𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 1ℎ𝑟𝑟 1042440 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣
• PHK: • Accident rate per million entering vehicles:
o 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 = 𝑉𝑉𝑇𝑇�𝑉𝑉𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = 0.60 o 𝑅𝑅 = 0.005652 × 106
o 𝑅𝑅 = 5652