SIGHT DISTANCE

CHAPTER 3
KA31603
REFLECTION

Based on this figure, do

you know, which modes
of transport are the most
important in our daily
life?
ANSWER

Walking is the most important

modes of transport.

Regardless of what kind of

modern, advance or luxury
transport you have, to get it, you
still need to walk.

The answer is We walk before and after using

WALKING. any vehicles.
HIGHWAY ENGINEERING

Vehicle Stopping sight

characteristics distance

Highway
Engineering
(KA31603) Geometry Structural Road
design design maintenance
WHY HIGHWAY?

Economic. Good Efficient & Social Benefit. Reduce fuel Safe & Comfort.
transport infrastructure, Reliable. Highway Highways also consumption. Highways make
like highway network, network also contribute Highways can relatively journeys faster,
enhances transport makes immensely to reduce travel time to comfortable
system and indeed transportation social growth, villages, cities and and safer than
reduces transportation schedules and relatives are able to towns and therefore usual
costs as well as the deliveries more visit their loved reduce the fuel
production costs. reliable. ones. consumption.
HIGHWAY DESIGN GOALS
The main objective of highway design is to produce a highway in line with:

Safety Comfort Economy

Environmental Efficient
SIGHT DISTANCE, STOPPING SIGHT
DISTANCE
&
PASSING SIGHT DISTANCE
OVERVIEW SIGHT DISTANCE (SD)
The safe operation of all highway facilities requires the consideration of three primary elements for safe
roadway operations (driver, vehicle, road). Each of these elements and their interactions govern the
development and specifications of sight distance criteria and standards.

Driver. Human factors
associated with the driver’s
performance must take
account of both physical
abilities and psychological
influences.
Vehicle. The size, weight,
and braking ability of
vehicles are of particular
importance for the safe
operation and stopping of
vehicles.
Road. The roadway geometric
design features, obstacles to
sight at the roadsides and
pavement surface condition
impact the safety on the
roadway and sight distance
requirements.
WHAT IS SD

Sight distance is A safe sight distance is the
the length of distance needed by a driver on an
highway visible arterial, or a driver exiting a driveway
to a driver. or street, to verify that the road is
clear and avoid conflicts with other
vehicles.
Sight lines must be kept free of
objects which might interfere with
the ability of drivers to see other
vehicles (see figure). Features such as
hills, curves in the road, vegetation,
other landscaping, signs, and
buildings can reduce sight distance.
ADEQUATE & INADEQUATE SD
WHY SD IS SO IMPORTANT

Sight distance is critical to Adequate sight distance Adequate sight distance will
motorists in making allows motorists the time help keep roadways
decisions such as to stop, they need to avoid operating safely and
slow down, turn, enter a crashes and conflicts. smoothly.
traffic stream from a
driveway or public road, or
merge into traffic.
TYPE OF SIGHT DISTANCE

Stopping Sight Decision Sight Passing Sight Intersection sight

Distance (SSD).The Distance. The distance Distance. The distance distance. It is the sight
length required to required for a driver to requires for a driver to distance required at the
enable a vehicle detect an expected safely complete passing junction of two or more
traveling at or near the hazard and select an maneuver. Normally at roads to avoid collision
design speed to stop appropriate speed to rural area. Two lanes 2 during crossing of
before reaching an avoid the hazard. ways road junctions.
object in its path. Longer than SSD.
Normally at intersection
WHAT IS SSD
Stopping sight distance
(SSD) is the minimum sight
distance available on a
highway to enable the driver
to stop a vehicle traveling at
design speed, safely without
collision with any other
obstruction. NPTEL
SSD is the distance a driver
needs to be able to see in
order have space to stop
before colliding with
something in the roadway,
such as a stopped vehicle,
pedestrian on the road or
turning the way safely.
Technically, SSD is
composed of two
distances; first, the distance
travelled during
perception/reaction time;
second, the distance
required to break the
vehicle physically.
SSD FACTORS

Reaction time of the Speed of the vehicle. The efficiency of Frictional resistance The gradient of the
driver. Reaction time The speed of the brakes. The between the tyre and road. A gradient of the
of a driver is the time vehicle very much effectiveness of the the road. The frictional road also affects the sight
taken from the affects the sight brakes depends on resistance between distance. While climbing
instant the object is distance. Higher the vehicle characteristics the tyre and road plays up a gradient, the vehicle
visible to the driver to speed, more time will (type, old etc.). an important role to easily can stop. So, the
the instant when the be required to stop Practically, it is not bring the vehicle to sight distance required is
brakes are applied. the vehicle. Hence it is possible to achieve stop. When the less. Whereas, while
Many of the studies evident that, as the 100% brake efficiency. frictional resistance is descending a slope, more
show that drivers speed increases, sight Therefore the sight high, the faster cars time will be necessary to
require about 1.5 to 2 distance also distance required will will stop. Hence, the stop the car. Sight
secs under normal increases. be more when the sight required will be distance required will be
conditions ability of brakes are less. more in this case.
less.
SSD: HOW IT WORKS
Driver see Brake Car
the danger applied stopped

Reaction Distance Braking Distance

Hence, SSD = perception-reaction time (d1) + brake distance (d2)

SSD FORMULA

a. Distance travelled during perception b. Distance travelled during braking (d2):

time (d1):
d2 =(V2-U2) / 254(f+G)
d1 = 0.28Vt meter
Where:
Where:
V = initial speed (km/h)
V = vehicle’s speed U = final speed (km/h) = 0 if vehicle stops
T = perception-reaction time (sec) G = gradient of the road
f = friction between road surface and tyre

SSD= 0.28Vt + (V2-U2) / 254(f+G)

JKR SSD
SSD APPLICATION

To ensure that safety To determine the To ensure the road To notify the road
elements are locations of users cautious user regarding the
included in the warning/reminder regarding road business and ensure
geometry design. system to the maintenance and road them to take proper
drivers/users. construction activities. actions safely to the
services.
OVERTAKING SIGHT DISTANCE
Definition of OSD
It is the minimum distance open to
the vision of the driver intended to
overtake a slow moving vehicle
safely without causing collision with
the opposite vehicle is known as
O.S.D./P.S.D
Factors affecting Overtaking Sight Distance:
● Speed of overtaking vehicle ( V m/s)
● Speed of overtaken vehicle ( Vb m/s)
● Speed of opposite vehicle ( V m/s)
● Reaction time of overtaking vehicle driver
● Spacing between the vehicles (S)
● Acceleration of overtaking vehicle (m/s2)
● Gradient of the road
● Skill and reaction time of the driver
OSD ANALYSIS

OSD= d1+d2+d3
OSD ANALYSIS

Speed d1= Vb .t d2= b + 2s d3= V .T

1. Overtaking
vehicle Where: Where: Where:
2. Overtaken Vb=speed of b=Vb.T V=design speed
vehicle overtaken vehicle T= 厂4s/a T= 厂4s/a
3. Opposing t=reaction time s=(0.7xVb+6) spacing
vehicle (design
speed)
SAMPLE QUESTION
A highway was constructed last year at Tawau has attracted a lot of traffic. The number of
traffic flow was increasing steadily on this highway. Most of the cars were moving around 90
km/h. One day a small car has been spotted driving slowly at 72 km/h. Meanwhile, a sports car
behind was moving at 90 km/h and willing to overtake the small car. Sports car acceleration
was 1.25 m/s. Simultaneously, the opposite vehicle running at 90 km/h. Hence, calculate the
safe overtaking sight distance (OSD) on this situation? (Assume reaction time is 2.0 s)

OSD= d1+d2+d3

d1 = Vb.t d2 = b + 2s T = 厂(4x20/1.25) d3 = V.T

= 72 (10/36) x 2.0 = 厂64 = 90(10/36)x8
= 40 m s = 0.7Vb+6 =8 =200
= 0.7(20)+6 b = Vb.T
= 20 = (20x8)
Therefore,
b = Vb.T d2 = (20x8)+(2x20)
= 200 OSD = d1+d2+d3
T = 厂(4s/a) = 40+200+200=440 m
TUTORIAL OSD
1. Calculate the safe OSD for the overtaking car is moving at 120 km/h, while the overtaken
car is running ¼ less than passing car; meanwhile, the design speed is 10 km/h less than
the overtaking vehicle. The acceleration for passing is 1.5 km/h.

2. Pan Borneo Highway consists of two-lane in one direction. The lateral space is 1.5 m and
2 m median. A Ninja King at 85 km/h is willing to overtake an Aruz which is moving at 65
km/h on the left side. The acceleration is 2.0 m/s. Compute the safe OSD.

3. The safe OSD at Jalan Papar expected at 400 m with overtaking speed at 85 km/h and
overtaken speed at 65 km/h, meanwhile acceleration is 2.0 m/s. On this case, compute
the design speed of the road?

4. OSD at Jalan Keningau is 550 m. The overtaken vehicle is speeding 40% less than the
overtaking vehicle. Please calculate the design speed of the road, if the acceleration of
the overtaking car is 2.0 m/s? (Assume overtaking vehicle speed is 115 km/h)