Observations

During the making of this activity, we were given 5 readings of elevation for each station,two from the
right,one from the middle and two from the left side that we need to plot to make out vertical curve
feasible. The data that was given to us was a total of 300 stations which would be very many to solve
manually without the use of excel. In the plotting of the given points we managed to visualize or plot our
proposed vertical curve. With the given elevations of various stations we were able to determine the
area that is needed to be cropped or filled to make our proposed vertical curve possible.

Importance of the activity

Vertical Curves are the second of the two important transition elements in geometric design for
highways, the first being Horizontal Curves. A vertical curve provides a transition between two sloped
roadways, allowing a vehicle to negotiate the elevation rate change at a gradual rate rather than a sharp
cut. The design of the curve is dependent on the intended design speed for the roadway, as well as
other factors including drainage, slope, acceptable rate of change, and friction. These curves are
parabolic and are assigned stationing based on a horizontal axis. This activity allowed us to further
understand the lesson we are tackling currently in our fundamentals of surveying lecture, we'’e able to
apply the information we’ve gathered to make a proposed vertical curve amongst the various elevations
of each station.