Coordination of Vertical and Horizontal

Alignment
• Curvature and grade should be in proper
balance
– Avoid
• Excessive curvature to achieve flat
grades
• Excessive grades to achieve flat
curvature
• Sharp horizontal curvature should not be
introduced at or near the top of a crest Image source:
vertical curve http://www.webs1.uidaho.edu/niatt_labmanual/Chapters/ge
ometricdesign/theoryandconcepts/DescendingGrades.htm

– Drivers may not perceive change in

horizontal alignment esp. at night Source: A Policy on Geometric
Design of Highways and Streets
(The Green Book). Washington, DC.
American Association of State
Highway and Transportation
Dr. Hana Naghawi Officials, 2001 4th Ed. P. 284 1
 Coordination of Vertical and Horizontal
Alignment
• Sharp horizontal curvature should not be
introduced near bottom of steep grade near
the low point of a sag vertical curve
– Horizontal curves appear unclear
– Vehicle speeds (esp. trucks) are highest at the
bottom of a sag vertical curve Source: A Policy
on Geometric

– Can result in erratic motion Design of

Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.

Dr. Hana Naghawi 2

 Coordination of Vertical and Horizontal
Alignment
• On two-lane roads when passing is allowed,
need to consider provision of passing lanes
– Difficult to accommodate with certain
arrangements of horizontal and vertical curvature
– need long tangent sections to assure sufficient
passing sight distance Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.

Dr. Hana Naghawi 3

 Coordination of Vertical and Horizontal
Alignment
• At intersections where sight distance needs to be
accommodated, both horizontal and vertical curves
should be as flat as practical
• In residential areas, alignment should minimize
annoyance to neighborhood

Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.

Dr. Hana Naghawi 4

 Coordination of Horizontal and Vertical
Alignment
•Coordination of horizontal and vertical alignment should begin
with preliminary design
•Easier to make adjustments at this stage
•Designer should study long, continuous stretches of
highway in both plan and
profile and visualize the
whole in three dimensions
(FHWA, Chapter 5)

Dr. Hana Naghawi 5

 Coordination of Horizontal and Vertical
Alignment

Source: FHWA,
Chapter 5 Dr. Hana Naghawi 6
 Coordination of Horizontal and Vertical
Alignment
• Should be consistent with the topography
• Preserve developed properties along the
road
• Incorporate community values
• Follow natural contours of the land

Source: FHWA,
Chapter 5 Dr. Hana Naghawi 7
 Good Coordination of Horizontal and
Vertical Alignment
• Does not affect aesthetic,
beautiful, historic, and
cultural resources along
the way
• Enhances attractive
beautiful views
– Rivers
– Rock formations
– Parks
– Historic sites
– Outstanding buildings
Source: FHWA,
Chapter 5
Dr. Hana Naghawi 8
 Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.
Dr. Hana Naghawi 9
 There are 2 problems with this
alignment.
There are 2 problems with this alignment. What are they? Source: A Policy

What are they? on Geometric

Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.
Dr. Hana Naghawi 10
 Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.
Dr. Hana Naghawi 11
 Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.
Dr. Hana Naghawi 12
 Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Maybe we want this if we are trying to slow people down??? Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.

Dr. Hana Naghawi 13

 Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.

Dr. Hana Naghawi 14

 Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.

Dr. Hana Naghawi 15

 Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.

Dr. Hana Naghawi 16

 Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.

Dr. Hana Naghawi 17

 Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.

Dr. Hana Naghawi 18

 Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.

Dr. Hana Naghawi 19

A

Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.

Dr. Hana Naghawi 20

 Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.

Dr. Hana Naghawi 21

 Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.

Dr. Hana Naghawi 22