Horizontal alignment (2) - Superelevation

• Definition of superelevation

• Vehicle cornering

• Superelevation rate e & side friction factor f

• Sustain centripetal acceleration rate by combination of e and f

Normal crown

Center line Center line

Positive slope

Normal Crown
 Elevated

Elevated

Level ground
Superelevation is the banking of the roadway along a horizontal curve
so that the drivers can negotiate the curve at safe and comfortable speed
Normal crown

Fully superelevated
 Distribution of e and f over a range of curves

0.067v 2 v2
0.01e  f  
R 15R

For a given design speed v, there are multiple combinations of e and f for sustaining
Centripetal acceleration on curves. Green book recommends 5 methods.

Method 1: Superelevation and side friction are directly proportional to the inverse of
The radius

Method 2: Start with using side friction f up to fmax, then f remains fmax, then e is used
Until emax

Method 3: start with using e, until emax, then e remains emax, and f is used until fmax

Method 4: same as method 3, but using average running speed instead of design speed

Method 5: e and f are in a curvilinear relation with 1/R

Design Considerations:

• Maximum superelevation rate e

• Maximum side friction factor f

• Minimum Radius – controlled by emax and fmax

Get familiar with GB tables

1) Minimum radius
with design speed

PP 147, Exhibit 3-15

2004 Edition
2) Design superelevation rates
with information of e & emax (without
Side friction factor)