Wasit University CE 3333 Geometric Roads Design

Civil Engineering Dept. 3rd Year

Third Year Second Semester
2021-2022 Dr. Nabeel Saleem

Example 1:
A student trying to test the braking ability of her car determined that she needed 6 m more to
stop her car when driving downhill on a road segment of 5% grade than when driving
downhill at the same speed along another segment of 3% grade.
Determine the speed at which the student conducted her test and the braking distance on the
5% grade if the student is traveling at the test speed in the uphill direction. (f = 0.35)
Solution:
Let x = downhill braking distance on 3 % grade.
(x +6) = downhill braking distance on 5 % grade.

𝑉2
𝑑2 =
254 (𝑓 ±𝐺 )

𝑉2 𝑉2
x= =
254 (0.35 − 0.03) 81.28

𝑉2 𝑉2
x+6= =
254 (0.35 − 0.05) 76.2

𝑉2 𝑉2
− =−6
81.28 76.2

V = 85.5 Km/h

85.52
d2 = = 71.95 m
254 (0.35 − 0.05)

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 Wasit University CE 3333 Geometric Roads Design
Civil Engineering Dept. 3rd Year
Third Year Second Semester
2021-2022 Dr. Nabeel Saleem

Example 2:

A motorist traveling at 100 Km/h on an expressway intends to leave the expressway using an
exit ramp with a maximum speed of 60 Km/h. At what point on the expressway should the
motorist step on her brakes in order to reduce her speed to the maximum allowable on the
ramp just before entering the ramp, if this section of the expressway has a downgrade of 3%?
(f =0.35).
Solution:
𝑉12 −𝑉22
𝑑2 =
254 (𝑓 ±𝐺 )

1002 −602
𝑑2 = = 78.74 m
254 (0.35−0.03 )

Example 3:
A driver is traveling at an average speed of 40 Km/h when a person is crossing the road.
Assuming that perception reaction time of the driver is 2 sec. and f = 0.5 calculate:
a- The safe (SSD) on a level road
b- The safe (SSD) on a 3 % uphill road.
c- The safe (SSD) on a 2 % downhill road.
Solution:
a-
𝑉2
𝑆𝑆𝐷 = 0.278 × 𝑉 × 𝑡 +
254 (𝑓 ±𝐺 )

402
𝑆𝑆𝐷 = 0.278 × 40 × 2 + = 34.84 m
254 (0.5 )

b-

402
𝑆𝑆𝐷 = 0.278 × 40 × 2 + = 34.13 m
254 (0.5+0.03)

c-

402
𝑆𝑆𝐷 = 0.278 × 40 × 2 +
254 (0.5−0.02)
= 35.36 m

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 Wasit University CE 3333 Geometric Roads Design
Civil Engineering Dept. 3rd Year
Third Year Second Semester
2021-2022 Dr. Nabeel Saleem

Example 4:

A two-lane, two-way highway is designed for a speed of 100 kph. Due to some boundary
restrictions, a horizontal curve is designed for 70 kph. It is required to fix a speed sign before
the horizontal curve to guide the drivers to reduce their speeds. If the typical speed sign is
seeing from 60 m, at what distance from the beginning of the curve the sign should be
placed? Assume coefficient of skidding friction f = 0.3

Sol:

𝑉2
𝑆𝑆𝐷 = 0.278 × 𝑉 × 𝑡 +
254 (𝑓 ±𝐺 )

1002 −702
𝑆𝑆𝐷 = 0.278 × 100 × 2.5 + = 136.2 m
254 (0.3 ±0 )

𝑋 = 𝑆𝑆𝐷 − 60

𝑋 = 136.2 − 60 = 76.2 m

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 Wasit University CE 3333 Geometric Roads Design
Civil Engineering Dept. 3rd Year
Third Year Second Semester
2021-2022 Dr. Nabeel Saleem

2-Passing Sight Distance (PSD)

The passing sight distance is the minimum sight distance required on a two-lane, two-way
highway that will permit a driver to complete a passing maneuver without crashing with an
opposing vehicle and without cutting off the passed vehicle. The passing sight distance will
also allow the driver to successfully terminate the passing maneuver (that is, return to the
right lane) if he or she so desires.

In determining minimum passing sight distances for design purposes, only single passes (that
is, a single vehicle passing) are considered. Although it is possible for multiple passing
maneuvers to occur (that is, more than one vehicle passes or are passed in one maneuver), it
is not practical for minimum design criteria to be based on them.
The minimum passing sight distance is the total of four components as shown in Figure
below:

𝐚 𝑡1
d1 = 0.278 t1 (V− m + )
𝟐

Where:

d1 = initial maneuver distance, (m),

V = average speed of passing vehicle, (km/hr.),
t1 = time of initial maneuver, (sec.),
a = average acceleration rate, (km/hr./sec.),
m = difference in speed of passed vehicle and passing vehicle, (km/hr.).

d2 = 0.278 V t2

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 Wasit University CE 3333 Geometric Roads Design
Civil Engineering Dept. 3rd Year
Third Year Second Semester
2021-2022 Dr. Nabeel Saleem

Where:
d2 = Distance while vehicle occupies left lane, (m),
V = average speed of passing vehicle, (km/hr.),
t2 = time passing vehicle occupies the left lane, (sec.).

d3 = clearance (safety) length, (30-90) m

𝟐
d4 = d2
𝟑

Where:
d4 = distance traversed by an opposing vehicle in the opposite lane (m)

PSD = d1 + d2 + d3 + d4

Effect of Grade on Passing Sight Distance

Appreciable grades affect the sight distance needed for passing. Passing is easier for the
vehicle traveling downgrade because the overtaking vehicle can accelerate more rapidly than
on the level and thus can reduce the time of passing. However, the overtaken vehicle can also
accelerate easily so that a situation akin to a racing contest may result.

The sight distances needed to permit vehicles traveling upgrade to pass safely are greater
than those needed on level roads because of reduced acceleration of the passing vehicle
(which increases the time of passing).

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 Wasit University CE 3333 Geometric Roads Design
Civil Engineering Dept. 3rd Year
Third Year Second Semester
2021-2022 Dr. Nabeel Saleem

Example 5:
A driver traveling at a speed of (56 km/hr.) is trying to overtake the vehicle in front of him.
The speed of the overtaken vehicle is (40 km/hr.). The acceleration rate of the overtaking
vehicle is (2.0 km/hr./sec.) and the vehicle spent (3.6 sec.) to move to the opposing lane and
(9.3 sec.) traveling on it. The speed of the opposing vehicle is (45 kph). Assume a safety
distance of 30 meters. Calculate the required passing sight distance.

Solution:

PSD = d1 + d2 + d3 + d4
a 𝑡1
d1 = 0.278 t1 (V− m + )
2
2 × 3.6
d1 = 0.278 × 3.6 (56 – 16 + ) = 43.6 m
2

d2 = 0.278 V t2 = 0.278 × 56 × 9.3 = 144.8 m

d3 = 30 m.
2 2
d4 = (d2) = ×144.8 = 96.5 m.
3 3
PSD = 43.6 + 144.8 + 30.0 + 96.5 = 314.9 m.

For sight distance calculations, the following values usually apply:

• Height of the driver’s eye above road surface H1 = 1.07 m for passenger cars.
• Height of object H2 = 0.6 m for stopping sight distance, while for passing sight
distance H2 = 1.07 m.

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 Wasit University CE 3333 Geometric Roads Design
Civil Engineering Dept. 3rd Year
Third Year Second Semester
2021-2022 Dr. Nabeel Saleem

3-Decision Sight Distance (DSD)

Decision sight distance is the distance needed for a driver to detect and perceive an obstacle
or information and select an appropriate maneuver. This is important when a driver is
approaching a traffic control device or posted information signs. Because decision sight
distance is for drivers to a maneuver or indirect action rather than just to stop, it is greater
than stopping sight distance. The decision sight distance for change in speed, path or
direction on rural, suburban, and urban road may be calculated from equation below:

DSD = V × t
Where:
t = range from (10.2 - 14.5) sec.

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