10.8.

6 Longitudinal Distance to Attain Grade Separation

The longitudinal distance needed for adequate design of a grade separation depends on the design speed,
the roadway gradient, and the amount of rise or fall needed to achieve the separation. Figure 10-8 shows
the horizontal distances needed in flat terrain. It may be used as a guide for preliminary design to deter-
mine quickly whether or not a grade separation is practical for given conditions, what gradients may be
involved, and what profile adjustments, if any, may be needed on the cross street. These data also may
serve as a general guide in other than flat terrain, and adjustments can be made in the length of the ter-
minal vertical curves. The chart is useful where the profile is rolled to overpass some cross streets and
to underpass others, and it is useful for design of an occasional grade separation on a facility located at
ground level, such as a major street or at-grade expressway.

The distance needed to achieve a grade separation can be determined from Figure 10-8 for gradients
ranging from 2 to 7 percent and for design speeds (V ) ranging from 50 km/h to 110 km/h [30 mph to
70 mph]. Design speeds (V ) of 80 km/h to 110 km/h [50 mph to 70 mph] are applicable to urban freeways,
and 60 km/h (50 km/h in special cases) [40 mph (30 mph in special cases)] is used on major arterials.
The curves are derived with the same approach gradient on each side of the structure. However, values
of D from Figure 10-8 also are applicable to combinations of unequal gradients. Distance D is equal to
the length of the initial vertical curve, plus one-half the central vertical curve, plus the length of tangent
between the curves. Lengths of vertical curves, both sag and crest, are minimums based on the minimum
stopping sight distance. Longer curves are desirable. Length D applies equally to an overpass or an under-
pass, despite the fact that the central crest vertical curve may be longer than the central sag vertical curve
for comparable values of H and G.

Certain characteristics and relations in Figure 10-8 are worthy of note:

 For the usual profile rise (or fall) needed for a grade separation (H of 7.5 m [25 ft] or less),
gradients greater than 3 percent for a design speed of 110 km/h [70 mph], 4 percent for 100 km/h [60
mph], 5 per- cent for 80 km/h [50 mph], and 6 percent for 60 km/h [40 mph] cannot be used. For
values of H less than 7.5 m [25 ft], flatter gradients than those just cited should generally be used.
The lower terminal of
Chapter 10—Grade Separations and Interchanges 10-25

the gradient lines on the chart, marked by a small

circle, indicates the point where the tangent
between
curves is zero and below which a design for the
given grade is not feasible (i.e., a profile condition

where the minimum central and end curves for the

gradient would overlap).

 For given H and design speed, distance D is

shortened a negligible amount by
increasing the gradient above 4 percent for
a design speed of 80 km/h [50 mph] and
above 5 percent for 60 and 50 km/h [40 and
30 mph]. Distance D varies to a greater
extent, for given H and G, with changes in
design speed.

A 6.0- to 6.6-m [20- to 22-ft] difference in elevation

is usually needed at a grade separation of two
high-
ways for essential vertical clearance and
structural thickness. The same dimension generally
applies to a
highway undercrossing a railroad, but about 8.4 m
[28 ft] is needed for a highway overcrossing a main-
line
railroad. In level terrain, these vertical dimensions
correspond to H, the rise or fall needed to achieve
a
grade separation. In practice, however, H may
vary over a wide range because of topography.
Where a
relatively short distance is available for a grade
separation, it may be appropriate to reduce H to
keep D
within the distance available. This reduction is
accomplished by raising or lowering the
intersecting street
or railroad.
10-26 A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets

H = Profile Rise (or Fall), (m)

Note: Symbols on each line indicate the point below which the
grade is not feasible, necessitating the use of the next flatter grade.

D = Minimum Distance Required to Effect Grade Separation, (m)

H = Profile Rise (or Fall), (ft)

Design
Speed 70 mph
60 mph

50 mph

40 mph

Note: Circled ends of lines indicate the point

below which the grade is30notmph
feasible,
necessitating the use of next flatter curve.

D = Minimum Distance Required to Effect Grade Separation, (ft)

ft
Figure 83010-8. Flat Terrain, Distance Needed to Achieve
Grade Separ aton

D=830 ft
Total Length of curve= 2*830=1660 ft
=506.09 m
This is the required length as per AASHTO
for 22 ft height. (6.7 m)
 Chapter 10—Grade Separa ti ons and 10-27
Interchanges

Approximate
G
G
H Level Grade
A
Ground

Overcrossing
D

Ground
Approximate
Level Grade
A G G
H
Cross Street

Undercrossing

Note: Minimum Vertical Clearance should be checked under the

Outside Edge of the Overcrossing Structure.

Figure 10-8. Flat Terrain, Distance Needed to

Achieve Grade Separ ation