《 Road Survey and Design 》

Chapter 2
Horizontal Alignment Design

Bin YU
Tel: 13645161547
Email: yb@seu.edu.cn

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Chapter 2. Horizontal alignment
design

Section 1 Introduction
Section 2 Straight/Tangent line
Section 3 Circular curve
Section 4 Transition curve
Section 5 Horizontal alignment design
Section 6 Deliverables of road graphic design

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Section 1. Introduction

Part 1. Route

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Section 1. Introduction
 Three relationships between y
rotary wheels and vehicle track:
1.The angle is zero—straight line. a

2.The angle is constant—circular

curve.
3.The angle is a variables—transition
curve.
y

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Part 2. Vehicle track and Horizontal
Alignment
 Characteristics of vehicle track
(1)The track is continuous and there are no turning
point or dislocation on it.
(2)Curvature of the track is continuous.
(3)Curvature changing rate of track is continuous

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Section 1. Introduction

nonsmooth alignment
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 Section 1. Introduction

Alignment of noncontinuous Alignment of continuous curvature

curvature
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Section 1. Introduction

Three elements of horizontal alignment:

Straight line, circular curve, transition curve.

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Section 2 Straight line
Characteristics of straight lines
Advantage

1.Shortest route between 2 points;

2.Straight line is of aesthetic effect, short and direct;
3.Easy vehicle maneuvers due to stable operation
force;
4.Easy to measure distance and locate direction

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Part 1. Characteristics of straight lines

 Disadvantages:
1.Straight lines are difficult to adapt to the
terrain in some undulated districts.
2.Drivers feel dull, tired and impatient and are
liable to speeding with long distance.

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Part 2. The Maximum and
Minimum Length of Straight Lines
1.The maximum length of straight lines
Japan and Germany: 20v (v : design speed, km/h)
Spain: 90s;
France: replace long straight line with circular curve
of R>5000m;
Russia and America: no regulations
Provisions of maximum length of straight lines are
not specified in China. We usually use 20v as
maximum length.

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Part 2. The Maximum and
Minimum Length of Straight Lines
 Provisions of maximum length of straight lines
are not specified in China.
 In locations near city or scenic spot, length
greater than 20v is acceptable;
 In dull place, length better be less than 20v;
 Special treatment under special geographical
conditions;
 Avoid the pursuit of long straight line at any
conditions

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Straight Lines

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Part 2. The Maximum and
Minimum Length of Straight Lines
2.The minimum length of straight lines
(1)Between adjacent curves in one direction
Two circular curves in the same direction are
connected in the radial direction directly or by
straight lines or transition curves.

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Part 2. The Maximum and
Minimum Length of Straight Lines
2.The minimum length
(1)Between adjacent curves in the same direction
v ≥ 60km/h should 6v(km/h)

v ≤ 40km/h execute by reference.

Under limited conditions:

Large radius curve, compound curve, oval curve,

C-shaped curve.

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Minimum Length of Straight Lines Between
Adjacent Curves in the same Direction

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Minimum Length of Straight Lines Between
Adjacent Curves in the same Direction

Broken-back curve Replaced by single curve

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Part 2. The Maximum and
Minimum Length of Straight Lines
2.The minimum length of straight lines
(2)Between reverse curves
Two circular curves in reverse directions are
connected in the radial direction directly or by
straight lines or transition curves.

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Part 2. The Maximum and
Minimum Length of Straight Lines
2.The minimum length of straight lines
(2)Between reverse curves
v ≥ 60km/h should 2v (km/h)

v ≤ 40km/h execute by reference.

When there are transition curves at both ends,
they can be connected directly to form a S-
shaped curve.

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Minimum Length of Straight Lines
Between reverse curves

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Part 3. Applications of Straight Lines
 Appropriate road sections:
(1)Flat regions where routes are not limited by terrain or
ground features and broad river valleys.
(2)Towns and suburban roads or regions planned mainly
with straight lines.
(3)Large bridges, tunnels and other construction sections.
(4)Route intersections and surroundings.
(5)Sections provided for overtaking in two-lane
highways.

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Part 3. Applications of Straight Lines
 Problems should be noticed:
(1)The determination of length should be cautious.
(2)Cautious of longitudinal slope in long straight lines
sections
(3)When terrain is spacious, trees should be planted or
facilities should be installed in order to improve the
terrain.
(4)Traffic signs should be set on horizontal curves at
the end of long straight lines.

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Section 3. Vehicles’ lateral stability
and Circular Curve Radius
 Characteristics of circular curves:
1.The radius of curvature at any point is constant.
2.Circular curves constantly changes directions so that
it is more adaptive to terrain.
3.Vehicles need more width when driving on curves.
5.Vehicles are subjected to centrifugal force.
5.Visual range are of concern.

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When vehicles are driving on
circular curves

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Section 3. Vehicles’ lateral stability
 Riding stability of vehicles
It is the ability of keeping normal driving
condition and direction under the effect of
external factors in order not to avoid slip or
overturn.

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Section 3. Vehicles’ lateral stability
and Circular Curve Radius
 Factors influencing vehicles’ riding stability:
 Vehicles’ structure parameters.
 Drivers’ operation skills.

 External factors such as roads and

environment.

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Section 3. Vehicles’ lateral stability
and Circular Curve Radius
 Unstable phenomena of vehicles’ driving
Longitudinal: overturn, slip down.
Cross sectional: overturn, lateral slip.

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Part 1. Vehicles’ longitudinal stability
1.Longitudinal slip

Gsina

A schematic diagram of vehicles going uphill at constant speed

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 1.Longitudinal slip
Critical conditions of not slipping for rear wheel
of vehicles according to adhesion conditions:

G sin a   Gk Gk is driving force

Φ is longitudinal friction coefficient

sin a  tga  i
Gk
i  tga  
G

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2.Vehicles’ longitudinal overturn

Gsina

Critical conditions of G cos a0l2  G sin a0 hg  0

longitudinal overturn: l2
i0  tga0 
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h g 30
3.Guarantee of longitudinal stability
According to the two formulas above, the value
of l2 / hg is close to 1, but the value of
 Gk / G is much less than 1,so
i  i0
Longitudinal slip happens before longitudinal
overturn, so the condition of longitudinal
stability is:
Gk
i  i  
G
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Part 2.Vehicles’ Lateral Stability

Ｙ
Stability analysis of vehicles on curves
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1. Force Equilibrium of Vehicles on
Horizontal Curves
The centrifugal force of vehicles driving on
horizontal curves:
2
Gv
F
g R
Decompose F and G into horizontal force X which is
parallel to the pavement and longitudinal force Y which
is perpendicular to the pavement:
X  F cos a  G sin a
Y  F sin a  G cos a
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1. Force Equilibrium of Vehicles on
Horizontal Curves
Because the value of angle α is very small,
sin   tan   ih , ihis superelevation, so
Gv 2 v2
X  F  Gih   Gih  G (  ih )
gR gR
Use sideway force coefficient(SFC) to evaluate
the level of stability:
X v2 V2
   ih   ih
G gR 127 R

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2.Analysis of conditions of lateral overturn

The overturning moment of outside wheels to

the contacting point should be less than the
steady moment:
b b
Xhg  Y  ( Fih  G )
2 2
Because Fih is much less than G, it can be
ignored, as a result :
X b
 
G 2hg
V2
R
b
127(  ih )
2hg
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2.Analysis of conditions of lateral slip
The lateral force should be no more than the lateral
adhesive force between tires and pavement:

X  Y h  Gh
( is lateral adhesion coefficient .)
h
X
   h
G
2
V
R
127(h  ih )
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2.Guarantee of lateral stability
Vehicles’ stability on horizontal curves mainly
depends on the value of sideway force
coefficient μ; b  2hg , h is less than 0.5, so

 h  b / 2hg
That is to say, lateral slip happens before lateral
overturn.

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Part 3.Circular Curve Radius

As known before:
v2
R
127(   ih )
Circular curve radius is related to SFC and the
crown slope.

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1.Sideway force coefficient
SFC is related to traveling stability , passengers’
comfort and operation economy.
(1) μ and the traveling stability
(1) μ≤ h
(2) When μ is between 0.4 ~ 0.8, vehicles can drive safely
at a high speed on dry pavements.
(3) μ is between 0.4 ~ 0.25, on moisture asphalt pavement.
(4) μ is below 0.2, vehicles can drive on frozen pavement.

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1.Sideway force coefficient
 (2) Increase maneuver difficulty

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1.Sideway force coefficient

(3) μ and the operation economy

μ <0.10~0.15 is economic
Fuel consumption
SFC Tire wear (%)
(%)
0 100 100
0.05 105 160
0.10 110 220
0.15 115 300
0.20 120 390

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1.Sideway force coefficient
(4) μ and drivers’ comfort
μ < 0.10 very stable
μ = 0.15 stable
μ = 0.20 a little unstable
μ = 0.35 unstable
μ ≥ 0.40 very unstable
Conclusion: The maximum value of μ is between
0.10 and 0.16.

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2.Maximum superelevation

ih (max)   w
 w —lateral friction coefficient of pavement of
harsh season in one year.

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Minimum radius of circular curves
（ Highway ）
Design speed
(km/h)
120 100 80 60 40 30 20
SFC 0.10 0.12 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.16 0.17
Limited ih=10% 570 360 220 115 50 30 15
value （
m） ih=8% 650 400 250 125 60 30 15
ih=6% 710 440 270 135 60 35 15
General
1000 700 400 200 100 65 30
value （ m ）
Minimu Crown
m 5500 4000 2500 1500 600 350 150
≤2.0%
radius
without
super
-elevatio Crown 7500 5250 3350 1900 800 450 200
n ＞ 2.0%
（ m）

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1.Limited minimum radius
 Limited minimum radius is the minimum
radius of circular curves which vehicles can
drive safely at design speed.

ih  6-10%,   0.1 ~ 0.17

 Limited minimum radius can be adopted under
difficult conditions.

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2.General minimum radius
 General minimum radius is the minimum
radius of circular curves which vehicles can
drive safely and comfortably at design speed.

ih  6% ~ 8%,  h  0.05 ~ 0.06

 General minimum radius is the minimum
radius recommended under ordinary
conditions.
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3.Minimum radius without superelevation
 Minimum radius without superelevation is the
minimum radius of circular curves which can
satisfy the traveling stability without
superelevation.

Cross slope  2%: i h =-0.015,μ=0.035 and i h =-0.02,μ=0.04

Cross slope>2%: i h =-0.025,μ=0.04 and i h =-0.03,μ=0.05

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3.Max radius and min. length of circular
curve
 Max R should not be greater than 10,000m;
 Min length: 3s driving distance

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Part 5. Applications of circular radius

1.R should be adjusted with terrain and it’s

better to adopt the R of superelevation between
2% and 4%.
2.When terrain is limited, R larger than or close
to the general minimum radius can be adopted.
When terrain conditions are very hard, the
limited minimum radius can be adopted.
3. R=400m is a reference value (accident rate
decreases with the increase of R)
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Part 5. Applications of circular radius

4.R should be adjusted with design speed, and

in coordination with lateral and longitudinal
alignment parameters of neighboring sections
in order to form a continuous and balanced
curve alignment.
5.It needs cautions to adopt large R value (the
same principal as long straight line)

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Section 4. Transition Curve
 Transition curves are curves of which curvature
changes continuously and set between straight lines
and circular curves or two circular curves of different
R values in the same direction.

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Part 1.Functions and Characteristics
of Transition Curves
Part 1.1 Functions of transition curves(TCs)
1.Curvature changes continuously so it’s easy for
vehicles to follow.
2.Centrifugal acceleration changes continuously so
passengers feel comfortable.
3.Superelevation and widening change continuously so
traveling can be stable.
4.Transition curves can increase the aesthetic effect in
cooperation with circular curves.

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Transition Curves

Route is uncomfortable Route becomes fluent and

without transition curve. artistic with transition curve.

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Part 1.Functions and Characteristics
of Transition Curves
Part 1.2 Characteristics of TC (P38)

rl  C
In the formula:
l—length of arc since vehicles turn from the end
of straight line.
r—the radius of circular curve.
C—constant.

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Part 2.Forms of transition curves
Part 2.1 Clothoid
Clothoid is a curve of which curvature changes
proportionally to curve length.
rl  A 2

A: Clothoid parameter which denotes the

changing rate of clothoid curvature.

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Part 2.Forms of transition curves

Part 2.2 Other forms of transition curves

1.Cubic parabola
2.Lemniscate
3.In railway, cubic parabola and half
sinusoid are used for low- and high-speed
railway design, respectively.

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Part 3. Minimum length and
parameters of transition curves

Part 3.1 Minimum length of transition curves

1.Passengers can feel comfortable (P41)
v3
Ls ( mi n)  0. 0214
R s

2.The transition ratio of superelevation is

appropriate. L ( mi n)  B pi
'

3.The travel time is not too short.

V
Ls ( mi n) 
1. 2

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 Minimum length of TCs for
highway)and urban road

Design speed （ km/ 120 100 80 60 40 30 20

h）
Minimum length of TC 100 85 70 50 35 25 20
（ m）
Highway
Design 100 80 60 50 40 30 20
speed （ km/h ）
Minimum length of 85 70 50 45 35 25 20
TC （ m ）
Urban road
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Part 3.2 Clothoid parameter

Emprical relationship R / 3  A  R
When the value of R is close to 100m, A should be equal
to R.
When the value of R is less than 100m, A should be no
less than R.
When the value of R is larger than or close to 3000m, A
should be close to R/3.
When the value of R is more than 3000m, it’s still
visually suitable even A is less than R/3.
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Part 3.3 Omission of transition curves
 TC can be omitted under the following
conditions:
(1)Between straight line and circular curve:
the R is no less than the minimum radius
without superelevation.
(2) Between circular curves in the same
direction: R of smaller circular curve is no
less than minimum radius without
superelevation

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Part 3.3 Omission of transition curves

(3)The smaller R value is larger than the

minimum radius in the table blow and meet one
of the following conditions:
Design speed 120 100 80 60 40 30
（ km/h ）
Critical curve 2100 1500 900 500 250 130
radius （ m ）

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Part 3.3 Omission of transition curves

①The difference between inner-shift values of two

circular curves is no more than 0.10m.
②The design speed is greater than 80km/h and the
ratio of R of the big and small circular curves is less
than 1.5.
③The design speed is less than 80km/h and the ratio
of R of big and small circular curves is less than
2.0.

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Min R of circular curves without transition
curves for urban roads

Design speed （ km/h ） 80 60 50 40

Min R of circular curves 2000 1000 700 500
without TC （ m ）

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Part 3.4 Application of TC
 It cannot be viewed as only transition function , but as
the major design element. Coordinate with straight line
and circular curve to obtain favorable operation and
visual effect
 Parameters of TC shall determined by terrain and
coordinate with R
 Min length of TC needs to meet min length and
superelevation demand
 TC can connect 2 reverse circular curve if the min length
of straight line can not meet
 TC can connect 2 circular curve of the same direction to
form oval curve if the min length of straight line can not
meet
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Part 4. Calculation of horizontal
curves without transition curves


T  R tan
2

E  R sec  R
2

L  R
180

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Part 4. Calculation of horizontal
curves with transition curves

L:length of horizontal curves.

Ls :length of transition curves.
L’: length of circular curves.
R: circular curve radius.
α: angle.

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1.Calculation of horizontal curves
Ls Ls 3
Increasing length of tangent line( 切线增长值 ): q  2
( m)
2 240 R
Ls 2 Ls 4
Inner-shift value （内移值） : p  24 R  2384 R3 (m)
Angle of transition curve( 缓和曲线角 ):  0  28.6479 Ls
R
Length of tangent line （切线长） : T  ( R  p) tan   q(m)
2
:  (  2  )  R  2 L (m)
Length of horizontal curves （平曲线长） L
0 s
180
External distance( 外距 ): E  ( R  p ) sec

 R ( m)
2
Verification: J  2T  L

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2.Calculation of stake numbers of five
principle points

Five principle points : ZH, HY, QZ, YH, HZ

ZH  JD  T
HY  ZH  Ls
QZ  ZH  L / 2
HZ  HY  ( L  Ls )
YH  HZ  Ls
Vertification :
JD  QZ  J / 2
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3.Calculation of stake numbers of
intersection points and route angle

Calculation of quadrant angles( 象 限 角 ): given

the coordinate of starting point is JD0 , and the
coordinate of the ith intersection point is JDi .
Increase of coordinate:
DX  X i  X i 1
DY  Yi  Yi 1
s  ( DX ) 2  ( DY ) 2
DY
 = arctan
DX

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3.Calculation of stake numbers of
intersection points and route angle

Calculation of azimuth angle( 方位角 ):

Quadrant Increase of Azimuth
coordinate angle
DX DY

Ⅰ + + A=θ
Ⅱ - + A=180-θ
Ⅲ - - A=180+ θ
Ⅳ + - A=360- θ
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3.Calculation of stake numbers of
intersection points and route angle

Calculation of rotation angle:

 i  Ai  Ai 1
i  0 , skewed to right.
i  0 , skewed to left.

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Example 1

 Design speed of a class-2 highway is 60km/h.

Coordinate of the starting point is
(40961.914,91066.103), and coordinates of
JD1 and JD2 are (40433.528,91250.097) and
(40547.416,91810.392). Given the SFC for
JD1 is 0.05 and the superelevation is 5%.

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Example 1

Questions:
(1)Calculate the radius of curve at JD1 .
(2)Given the length of transition curve of JD 1 is
100m, calculate the horizontal curve parameters
and stack numbers of five principle points.

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Example 1

Solution:
(1) Radius of curve of JD 1

V2 602
R   283.46  m 
127    i  127  0.05  5% 

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Example 1

Solution:
(2) Calculation of rotation angle:
Quadr ant angl e bet ween s t ar t i ng poi nt and J D：
1

DY 91250.097  91066.103
1  arctg  arctg =1911'57 ''
DX 40433.528  40961.914
Quadr ant angl e bet ween J D1 and J D：
2

DY 91810.392  91250.097
 2  arctg  arctg  7830 '37 ''
DX 40547.416  40433.528

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Example 1
Solution:(2) Calculation of rotation angle:
Azi mut h angl e bet ween s t ar t i ng poi nt and J D：
1

A1  180  1 =16048'3''
Azi mut h angl e bet ween J D1 and J D：
2

A2   2 =7830 '37 ''

Rot at i on angl e of J D：
1

 =A2  A1  -8217 '26 ''

Skewed to left.

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Example 1
Solution:(3) Calculation of horizontal curve parameters:

  106 '24 ''

q  49.95m
p  1.47m
T  298.91m
L  507.12m
E  94.91m
J  90.7 m
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Example 1
Solution:(4) Calculation of stack numbers of five principle points:

JD  K 0  559.50
ZH  K 0  260.59
HY  K 0  360.59
QZ  K 0  514.15
HZ  K 0  767.71
YH  K 0  667.71
Ver t i f i cat i on：
QZ  J / 2  K 0  559.50  JD
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Example 2
 The stack number of intersection point of a third class
highway in rolling terrain is K87+952.00, and the circular
radius R is 160m. The cross slope of pavement is 0.02 and
the cross slope of paved shoulder is 0.04. Calculate the
parameters and stack numbers of this circular curve.

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Example 2
Solution:
1.

v2 60 2
ih     0.12  0.06
127 R 127  160
b  0.60m
B (iG  ih ) 7  (0.02  0.06)
Lc    49.00m
2p 1
2
175
0.035v 3 v
Ls  max( Lc , , ,15b)
R 1.2
 max(49, 47.25, 50, 9)  50m
Lc =Ls =50m
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Example 2
Solution: 2. Calculation of horizontal curve

 0 =857 '9 '', p  0.65m, q  25.00m

T  94.21m, l '  80.19m, L  180.19m
E  14.93m, J  8.23m
St ack number s of pr i nci pl e poi nt s ：
ZH  K 87  857.79，HY  K 87  907.79
QZ  K 87  948.89，YH  K 87  987.98
HZ  K 88  037.98
Ver t i f i cai t on：JD  HZ  T  J  K 87 +952.00
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 Example 3
 Given: class-II highway, design speed 80km/h, subgrade
width=12m
 Requirement: Dis. between building and road central line
greater than 8.5m;
 Question: determine R and Ls for JD1, JD2 and JD3

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 Example 3
 1st step: back-calculate R of JD2
 E=29.7-8.5=21.2m, select Ls2=120m
 Solve the equation of R2, rounded to R=400m
 the Ls2 passes verification of superelevation and alignment requirement
 T2=187.16m
 2nd step: select Ls1=145m, and R is solved as 475.03m, Ls1 passes
verification
 3rd step: select Ls3=160m, and R is solved as 628.96m, Ls3 passes verification

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Section 5. Alignment Design

Part 1.Key points of horizontal alignment design

1. Horizontal alignment should be direct and
fluent in order to adjust with terrain and ground
features and harmonize with surroundings.

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Alignment adjusted with terrain and
ground features

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Alignment adjusted with terrain
and ground features

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 Part 1.Key points of
horizontal alignment design
2. Keep the continuity and balance of horizontal
alignment. Following combinations should be
avoided :
(1)Small radius circular curves are connected to the end
of long straight lines.
(2)Large radius circular curves are connected to short
straight lines(poor balance and aesthetic effect)
An empi r i cal mat ch:
when Lz  =500m, R  Lz
when Lz>500m, R  500m
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Curves of small radius connected to the end
of long straight lines

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 Part 1.Key points of
horizontal alignment design
2.Combinations of horizontal curves
Ratio of R of adjacent circular curve should be
less than 2.0 and ratio of adjacent clothoid
parameters should also be less than 2.0 as
conditions allow.
3.There should be transition between high and
low standard.

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 Part 1.Key points of
horizontal alignment design

3 Horizontal design should coordinate with

vertical design, especially in plain area.
4 Length of circular curves should be enough.
4.1 Minimum length of horizontal curves when
drivers can operate leisurely and passengers can feel
comfortable. (Min value is calculated by 6s, P45)

Design speed 120 100 80 60 40 30 20

General 1000 850 700 500 350 250 200
value （ m ）
Min. value 200 170 140 100 70 50 40
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 Part 1.Key points of
horizontal alignment design

4.2 Minimum length of horizontal curves when

angle is less than 7°.
Design 120 100 80 60 40 30 20
speed
Min length 1400/α 1200/α 1000/α 700/α 500/α 350/α 280/α

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Part 2. Combinational design of
horizontal alignment parameters

 Types of combination of graphic parameters

1.Basic type curve 2.S-shaped curve
3.Oval curve 4.Crest curve
5.Compound curve 6.C-shaped curve
7.Switch-back curve

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1.Basic type curve
Basic type curve consists of straight line-clothoid-
circular curve-clothoid-straight line in order.

A1  A2 , s ymmet r i cal bas i c t ype.

A1  A2 =0, bas i c f or m.
A1  A2 , uns ymmet r i cal bas i c t ype.
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1.Basic type curve

 Ratio of lengths of clothoid , circular curve

and clothoid should be between 1:1:1 and
1:2:1
 A~(R/3, R)

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2.S-shaped curve

S-shaped curves are curves which combine two

reverse circular curves with two reverse clothoid.

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• The ratio of A1 and A2 must be less than 2.0 and should be
less than 1.5 if feasible.
• The ratio of R should be within 1 and 1/3.

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2.S-shaped curve
 Calculate T1 based on R1, Ls1 and a1
 T2=D2-T1, Assume Ls2
 Calculate R2 based on T2, Ls2 and a2
 Verify if R2 passes S-curve requirement

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3.Oval curve
Oval curve is the one that connects two circular
curves by clothoid.

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3.Oval curve

 Clothoid parameter A in oval curve should

satisfy the condition of R2 / 2  A  R.2
 Ratio of R of two circular curves should be
between 0.2 and 0.8.
 D/R2 D/ R 2 = 0. 003  0. 03
D- gap bet ween 2 ci r cul ar cur ves
R2- R of s mal l er ci r cul ar cur ve

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4.Crest curve

Crest curve is the one that connects two

clothoids in the radial direction without circular
curves.

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4.Crest curve

 Clothoid parameter and R value of crest

curves should meet the specifications of
minimum clothoid parameter and minimum
radius.
 Only applied where routes are limited strictly
by terrain and ground features.

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5.Compound curve
Compound curve is the one that connects more
than two clothoids at the point of equal curvature.

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5.Compound curve

 Parameter ratio of adjacent clothoids should

be less than 1:1.5.
 Because the R is changing constantly, drivers
need to maneuver continuously to adapt,
which is adverse to the driving
 Application conditions: when routes are
limited by terrain or other reasons (except
interchange).

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6.C-shaped curve
C-shaped curve is the one that connects two clothoids
in radial direction at the point of zero curvature.

C-shaped curves are adopted when terrain conditions are hard

and routes are limited.

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7.Switch-back curve
Switch-back curve is the one that consists of principal
curves and auxiliary curves in order to overcome elevation
difference in mountain roads when the angle upon the
same slope surface is larger than or close to 180°.

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Switch-back Curves

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Technical index of switch-back curves

Items Classification of
highways
Third Fourth

Design speed of switch-back curves （ km/ 35 30 25 20

h）
Minimum radius of principal curves （ m ） 40 30 20 15
Minimum length of transition curves （ m ） 35 30 25 20
Superelevation （ % ） 6 6 6 6
Broadening of two-lane pavement （ m ） 2.5 2.5 2.5 3
Maximum longitudinal slope （ % ） 3.5 3.5 4 4.5

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Example of S-curve
Dis. Between JD1 and JD2 is 407.54m
JD1=K7+231.38 ， α1=12°24′20″ （ left screwed), R1=1200m ；
JD2right screwed ， α2=15°32′50″ ， R2=1000m

Question ： calculate lengths for Ls1 、 Ls2 based on S-curve and the stake
number of JD1 and JD2
JD1 α1
T1
L2
L1
T2 α2
JD2
Answer: （ 1 ） determine Ls1 、 Ls2 ：
 Assume S-curve is symmetric ， therefore
T1=407.54/2=203.77m
 Assume parameters of horizontal curve is 1 ： 1 ： 1 ：
 Ls1=αR/2=12.2420×π/180×1200/2=129.91
 Rounded Ls1=130m
 After calculation, T1=195.48m< 203.77m
 T2=407.54-T1=407.54-195.48=212.06 m
 Assume 1 ： 1 ： 1 for Ls2 ：
 Ls2=αR/2=15.3250×PI/180×1000/2=135.68
212.06- 204.45 =7.61 ， thus T is short!
2
 Calculate T2， T2=204.45m
Take LS2=135.68+2×7.61=150.90 ，

After calculation ， T2= 212.08m >212.06, T2 is over-long!

Take Ls2=150.90-2×0.02=150.86

After calculation ， T2=212.06m

JD1 parameters and stake number

R1=1200 Ls1=130 α1=12.2420
T1=195.48 L1=389.82 E1=7.66 J1=1.14


JD1= K7+231.38


ZH1=K7+035.90


HY1=K7+165.90


QZ1=K7+230.81


YH1=K7+295.72


HZ1=K7+425.72

 JD2 里程桩号计算：

JD2 = HZ1+ T2 =K7 + 637.78

R2=1000 Ls1=150.86 α2=15.3250

 JD2 曲线要素及主点里程桩号计算
 T2=212.06 L2=422.21 E2=10.23 J2=1.91
 JD2=K7+637.78
 ZH2=K7+425.72
 HY2=K7+576.58
 QZ2=K7+636.83
 YH2=K7+697.07
 HZ2=K7+847.93
Section 6. Deliverables of road

graphic design
Part 1. Tables of road graphic design
Tables of straight lines, curves and angles( 直线、曲线、转角表 ),
tables of coordinates of stacks( 逐 桩 坐 标 表 ), tables of traverse
points( 导线点一览表 ), tables of route location( 路线固定表 ).(P49)
Part 2. Road graphic design.(P54)
1.Highway graphic design
2.Urban road graphic design

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