Compound Curve

A compound curve consists of two (or more) circular

curves between two main tangents joined at point of
compound curve (PCC). Curve at PC is designated as 1 (R1,
L1, T1, etc) and curve at higher station is designated as 2
(R2, L2, T2, etc).

Elements of compound curve

PC = point of curvature
PT = point of tangency
PI = point of intersection

 PCC = point of compound curve

T1 = length of tangent of the first curve
T2 = length of tangent of the second curve
V1 = vertex of the first curve
V2 = vertex of the second curve
I1 = central angle of the first curve
I2 = central angle of the second curve
I = angle of intersection = I1 + I2
Lc1 = length of first curve
Lc2 = length of second curve
L1 = length of first chord
L2 = length of second chord
L = length of long chord from PC to PT
T1 + T2 = length of common tangent measured from
V1 to V2
= 180 I
x and y can be found from triangle V1-V2-PI.

 L can be found from triangle PC-PCC-PT

Finding the stationing of PT

Given the stationing of PC
Given the stationing of PI

Reversed Curve
Reversed curve, though pleasing to the eye, would bring
discomfort to motorist running at design speed. The instant
change in direction at the PRC brought some safety
problems. Despite this fact, reversed curves are being used
with great success on park roads, formal paths, waterway
channels, and the like.

Elements of Reversed Curve

PC = point of curvature
PT = point of tangency
PRC = point of reversed curvature
T1 = length of tangent of the first curve
T2 = length of tangent of the second curve
V1 = vertex of the first curve
V2 = vertex of the second curve
I1 = central angle of the first curve
I2 = central angle of the second curve
Lc1 = length of first curve
Lc2 = length of second curve
L1 = length of first chord
L2 = length of second chord
T1 + T2 = length of common tangent measured from
V1 to V2

Finding the stationing of PT

Given the stationing of PC

Given the stationing of V1

Reversed Curve for Nonparallel Tangents

Reversed Curve for Parallel Tangents

Spiral Curve (Transition Curve)

Spirals are used to overcome the abrupt change in
curvature and superelevation that occurs between tangent
and circular curve. The spiral curve is used to gradually
change the curvature and superelevation of the road, thus
called transition curve.

Elements of Spiral
Curve
TS = Tangent to spiral
SC = Spiral to curve
CS = Curve to spiral
ST = Spiral to tangent
LT = Long tangent
ST = Short tangent
R = Radius of simple curve

 Ts = Spiral tangent distance

Tc = Circular curve tangent
L = Length of spiral from TS to any point along the
spiral
Ls = Length of spiral
PI = Point of intersection
I = Angle of intersection
Ic = Angle of intersection of the simple curve
p = Length of throw or the distance from tangent that
the circular curve has been offset
X = Offset distance (right angle distance) from tangent
to any point on the spiral
Xc = Offset distance (right angle distance) from tangent
to SC
Y = Distance along tangent to any point on the spiral
Yc = Distance along tangent from TS to point at right
angle to SC
Es = External distance of the simple curve
= Spiral angle from tangent to any point on the spiral

 s = Spiral angle from tangent to SC

i = Deflection angle from TS to any point on the spiral, it
is proportional to the square of its distance
is = Deflection angle from TS to SC
D = Degree of spiral curve at any point
Dc = Degree of simple curve

Formulas for Spiral Curve

Distance along tangent to any point on the spiral:

At L = Ls, Y = Yc, thus,

Offset distance from tangent to any point on the spiral:

At L = Ls, X = Xc, thus,

Length of throw:

Spiral angle from tangent to any point on the spiral (in

radian):

At L = Ls, = s, thus,

Deflection angle from TS to any point on the spiral:

At L = Ls, i = is, thus,

This angle is proportional to the square of its distance

Tangent distance:

Angle of intersection of simple curve:

External distance:

Degree of spiral curve: