1.

Given the following speed data obtained for a given road section: (20
marks)

Table 1: Spot speed

Speed Number of
(km/h) vehicles
24-32 0
32-40 3
40-48 6
48-56 18
56-64 45
64-72 48
72-80 18
80-88 12
88-96 4
96-104 3
104-112 0

a). Plot the frequency and cumulative frequency curves for the speed data
Speed Group

Freq,

x x  x x  x
x  x

(km/h) Middle Cumm
Speed, x Freq
Lower Upper (km/h)
Limit limit CF %age
24 32 28 0 0 0.0 0 -37.71 1421.8 0.0
32 40 36 3 3 1.9 108 -29.71 882.5 2647.5
40 48 44 6 9 5.7 264 -21.71 471.2 2827.2
48 56 52 18 27 17.2 936 -13.71 187.9 3381.9
56 64 60 45 72 45.9 2700 -5.71 32.6 1465.6
64 72 68 48 120 76.4 3264 2.29 5.3 252.4
72 80 76 18 138 87.9 1368 10.29 105.9 1907.0
80 88 84 12 150 95.5 1008 18.29 334.6 4015.6
88 96 92 4 154 98.1 368 26.29 691.3 2765.3
96 104 100 3 157 100.0 300 34.29 1176.0 3528.0
104 112 108 0 157 100.0 0 42.29 1788.7 0.0
Summation 157 10316 22790.5

1
 Frequency curve
60
Frequency

50
49.5

40

30

20

10

0
66
20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
Mid points

Cummulative Frequency Curve

105.0
100.0
95.0
90.0
85.0
%age Cumm Freq

80.0
75.0
70.0
65.0
60.0
55.0
50.0
45.0
40.0
35.0
30.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
30 40 50 60 65.5 70 80 90 100 110 120
Upper class boundaries

2
b). Identify from the curves above the median and modal speed

From the cumulative curve, the median is identified as 65.5km/h.

From the Frequency curve the modal speed is identified as 66km/h.

c). Compute the mean and standard deviation of the data

∑
x
Mean, x
∑

10316
x
157

x 65.71km/h

∑
x  x
Standard Deviation, σ $
∑

22790.5
σ $
157

σ 12.05km/h

d). Based on this data, a second study is to be conducted to achieve a tolerance of +2.4km/h with
95% confidence. Estimate the sample size required.

Spot speeds are assumed to follow a normal distribution, thus

xµ
z (σ , , x  µ e -2.4km/h and z 1.96 as the con1idence interval is 95%
+ n
√
1.96 6 σ
population size, n
e

1.96 6 12.05
n
-2.4

n 96.84 8 97cars

3
2. A horizontal curve of 5o degree of curvature, D (measured at the centre
line of inside lane) is being designed for a highway with a design speed
of 96km/h. The curve is on a 2% upgrade, the driver reaction time is
2.5 s. What is the closest any roadside object maybe placed to the
centreline of inside lane of the roadway whilst maintaining an
adequate stopping sight distance? Assume that D subtends an arch
length of 20m. State your answer in metres. (10 marks)
Upgrade, G 2%

Coef1icient of friction,
0.348

Velocity, V 96km/hr

Perception Reaction TimePRT, t 2.5s

PRD Perception Reaction Distance

BD Braking Distance

dD Sight distance

L Length of the curve

Assume that the sight distance, ds is equal to the length of curve,

dD PRD F BD

V
dD 0.278Vt F
254
F 0.01G

96
dD 0.278 6 96 6 2.5 F
2540.348 F 0.01 6 2

dD 66.72 F 98.596

4
dD 165.321m

Calculating for the radius of curvature, R from;

5H
20 2π 6 R 6
360H
20 6 180H
R
5H 6 π

R 229.18m

Calculating for the angle of deflection, ∆ from;

∆
L 2πR 6
360
∆
165.321 2π 6 R 6
360H
165.321 6 180H
∆
229.18 6 π

∆ 41.33H

1
External Length, E R K  1N
cosL∆+2M

1
External Length, E 229.18 K  1N
cosL41.33+2M

External Length, E 15.76m

Middle ordinate, M RO1  cosL∆+2MP

Middle ordinate, M 229.18O1  cosL41.33+2MP

Middle ordinate, M 14.75m

From above, it is inferred that the closest any roadside object may be placed to the inside
lane whilst maintaining an adequate stopping sight distance is 14.75m.

5
3. A vertical curve of 3,000m is designed to connect a grade of +4 to one
of -5%. The VPI is located at 1500+55 (km + m) with an elevation of
150m. Find the following: (10 marks)
a). The station of VPC and VPT

ChVPC ChVPI  L+2

ChVPC 1,500,055  3000+2

ChPVC 1498,555m 1498 F 555km F m (The station at VPC)

ChVPT ChPVC F L

ChVPC 1,498,555 F 3000

ChVPC 1,501,555m 1501 F 555km F m (The station at VPT)

GR X AX 
100 200L
Chainage X Remarks ∆H elevations
1498+555 0 0 0.00 VPC 0.00 90.00
1498+855 300 12 1.35 10.65 100.65
1499+155 600 24 5.40 18.60 108.60
1499+455 900 36 12.15 23.85 113.85
1499+755 1200 48 21.60 26.40 116.40
1500+055 1500 60 33.75 VPI 26.25 116.25
1500+355 1800 72 48.60 23.40 113.40
1500+655 2100 84 66.15 17.85 107.85
1500+955 2400 96 86.40 9.60 99.60
1501+255 2700 108 109.35 -1.35 88.65
1501+555 3000 120 135.00 VPT -15.00 75.00

b). The elevation of VPC and VPT

For the table above, A |GR  G |, G1 = 4 and G2 = -5

A V4  W5V

A 9

L = 3000m

GR X AX 
∆H 
100 200L

6
It follows:

RLVPI=150m

G1=0.04

RLVPC 1500m

150  RLYZ[
0.04
1500

RLYZ[ 150  1500 6 0.04

RLYZ[ 90m

And then elevations are given by 90 F ∆H

Also:

RLVPI=150m

G2=-0.05

RLVPT
1500m

RLYZ\  150 W
0.05
1500

7
 RLYZ\ 1500 6 W0.05 F 150

RLYZ\ 75m

As a check, the same value of the elevation for VPT is obtained if the formula 90 F ∆H
is used, but

GR X AX 
∆H 
100 200L

4 6 3000 9 6 3000
∆H 
100 200 6 3000

∆H W15m

Elevation of VPT 90 F W15 75m

c). The location/station and elevation of the highest point on the curve.
L 6 GR
Location of the highest or lowest point, x
A
3000 6 4
Location, x
9

Location, x 1,333.33m

Chainage at any point Chainage at PVC F x

Chainage at highest point 1,498,555 F 1,333.33

Chainage at the highest point 1,499,888.33m 1499 F 888.33km F m

L 6 GR 
∆H^_`^aDb/cHdaDb eH_fb
200 6 A

3000 6 4
∆H^_`^aDb eH_fb
200 6 9

∆H^_`^aDb eH_fb 26.67m

From above,

Elevation^_`^aDb eH_fb 90 F ∆H^_`^aDb eH_fb

Elevation^_`^aDb 90 F 26.67

Elevation^_`^aDb 116.67m