Superelevation

Objectives
 Know how to determine superelevation transitions on simple
circular curves and spirals
 Know how to use maximum relative gradients to determine
superelevation length transitions
Superelevation
 Used to partially overcome the centrifugal force on a
vehicle as it goes around a curve
 Transition lengths are needed to change the cross slope
from normal crown to full bank and then back down to
normal crown
 In New York State the allowed maximum superelevation
rates are:
 Rural and interstates/freeways 8%
 Suburban 6%
 Urban 4%
Methods
 There are various methods for transitioning pavement from
normal crown to a superelevated section
 The most common method is to rotate the pavement around the
centerline (which is also the HCL and TGL)
Runout
 Runout is the distance used to change the section from normal
crown to where the adverse crown is removed (to level)
Runoff
 Runoff is the distance used to change the section from where
the adverse crown is removed (to level) to the point where full
superelevation is achieved
 Runoff length is also the length of spiral length
 Refer to Exhibit 5-15 to get the length (function of e, design
speed and number of lanes rotated) but first you must
determine e
Reverse Crown
 The point at which the whole pavement is sloped at 2% (in the
direction of the superelevation)
Spirals
 Runout occurs before the TS (on the tangent) and after the
ST
 Runoff occurs on length of spiral
 There is full superelevation between the SC and CS
Circular Curves
 Runout also occurs on the tangent
 0.7*Runoff occurs before the PC and after the PT
 0.3*Runoff occurs on the curve (right after the PC and right
before the PT).
 The circular arc is not fully superelevated because part of the
transition falls on the curve
Determining Superelevation Rate, e
 Use Exhibits 2-11 through 2-14 (English)
 or Exhibits MT 2-11 through MT 2-14 (Metric)
 2-11 (low-speed urban streets)
 2-12 (emax=4%)
 2-13 (emax=6%)
 2-14 (emax=8%)
 Function of design speed, emax and radius
Runoff
 Refer to Exhibit 5-15 of HDM to get the length (function of e,
design speed and number of lanes rotated)
 Runoff length is also the length of spiral
Determining Runout Lengths
 Rout=(Roff*NC)/e
 NC is normal crown (usually 2%)
 e is the superelevation rate (%)
Basic steps
Given: Design speed, Number of Lanes Rotated and the Radius
of the Curve:
 Determine e, Roff
 Calculate Rout
 For circular curves calculate 30% and 70% of Roff
 Draw diagram working back and forth from the PC/PT or
TS/SC
Example
 Last existing curve of Paris Hill project
 Design speed=100 km/hr
 Emax=8%
 Radius=590 m
 PC STA 4+340.78
 PT STA 4+901.88
 Curves to the RT
Step 1 (find e, runoff, runout)
 e= (7%) (table M2-14)---see next slide OR USE FORMULA
 Roff= 57 m (Exhibit 5-15)---see following slide OR USE
FORMULA
 Rout=(Roff)(NC)/e=(57m)*(2%)/7%=16 m OR USE
FORMULA
Step 2 (.7 & .3 Roff)
 0.3*57m=17m
 0.7*57m=40m
Step 3 –
Draw
Diagram
Other pavement transitions
 Sometimes it makes more sense to transition directly from
one curve to another
 Can determine minimum length of transition by using a
maximum relative gradient (Exhibit 5-12 of HDM and
equation on page 5.7.3.3)
Equation Variables
 Lr=transition length
 w=pavement width
 ed=% change in super rate
 n=# of lanes
 bw=adjustment factor
 n*bw factor is combined see HDM page 5-59
 Δ=maximum relative gradient from HDM Table 5-4 (in %);
it is a function of design speed
Example-minimum transition lengths
 A county road- reverse curves 2% rt & 3% lt
 Design speed = 40 km/hr
 2 lanes-3.6 m in width
 What is the minimum transition length for superelevating
directly from 2% to 3%
Example of
determining
minimum
transition
lengths using
maximum
relative
gradient
Minimum transition length
 Lr=w*ed*(n*bw)]/Δ
 w*ed= Δ y=0.18 m
 n*bw=1 (since only 1 lane is superelevated)
 Δ=0.7%
 Lr=26 m (compare to exh. 5-15; 40km/hr; .05)