GEOMETRIC DESIGN

M V Kishore
UPES, Civil Engg Dept.

OTHER FACTORS

Light reflecting characteristics

Night visibility

Light colour more visible in night

SINGLE LANE PAVEMENT

TWO LANE PAVEMENT

KERBS

Kerbs indicate the boundary between the carriage way and the shoulder or islands
or footpaths. Different types of kerbs are (Figure 1):Low or mountable kerbs : This
type of kerbs are provided such that they encourage the traffic to remain in the
through traffic lanes and also allow the driver to enter the shoulder area with little
difficulty. The height of this kerb is about 10 cm above the pavement edge with a
slope which allows the vehicle to climb easily. This is usually provided at medians
and channelization schemes and also helps in longitudinal drainage.
Semi-barrier type kerbs : When the pedestrian traffic is high, these kerbs are
provided. Their height is 15 cm above the pavement edge. This type of kerb
prevents encroachment of parking vehicles, but at acute emergency it is possible
to drive over this kerb with some difficulty.
Barrier type kerbs : They are designed to discourage vehicles from leaving the
pavement. They are provided when there is considerable amount of pedestrian
traffic. They are placed at a height of 20 cm above the pavement edge with a steep
batter.
Submerged kerbs : They are used in rural roads. The kerbs are provided at
pavement edges between the pavement edge and shoulders. They provide lateral
confinement and stability to the pavement.
Figure 1: Different types of kerbs

TYPES OF KERBS

CROSS SECTION DETAILS

SIGHT DISTANCE

SSD, HLSD, ISD

1.2 m

0.2 m

Design friction coefficient: 0.35 to 0.40

TOTAL REACTION TIME

Perception
time

Brake
reaction
time

STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCE

Lag
distance

Braking
distance

Stopping
distance

ABOUT LAG DISTANCE

If design speed is v m/s & t is the reaction time of

the driver
Lag distance = v.t metres

If design speed is V kmph & t is the reaction time of

the driver
Lag distance = 0.278 V.t metres
IRC has also recommended the value of reaction
time as 2.5 sec

ABOUT BRAKING DISTANCE

Work done in stopping the vehicle= kinetic energy
F is maximum frictional force and braking distance is
l, work done = fWl
fWl=0.5 mv2

fWl= 0.5 Wv2

g
l= 0.5 v2
gf

Stopping distance m = vt+v2/2gf

Stopping Distance = 0.278Vt+V2/254f

Stopping distance at slopes

OVERTAKING SIGHT DISTANCE

Min distance open to vision of driver to overtake

slow moving vehicle ahead of him.

A1

A2

B2

B1

A3

C2

C1

d1

d2

d3

vb*t
OSD

vb*T+2s

v*T
s= 0.7vb+6

Sight Distance at Intersections

Enabling the
approach
vehicle to
change speed

Enabling
Enabling
stopped
approach
vehicle to cross
vehicle to stop
a main road

DESIGN OF HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT

Design Speed
Horizontal Curves
Super-elevation
Radius of horizontal curve
Widening of Pavement on Horizontal Curves
Horizontal transition curves
Set-back distance on horizontal curves
Curve resistance

Overturning
effect

Transverse
skidding effect

Centrifugal force P= W v2/gR

P
h
P/W= b/2h
P=fRa+fRb

b/2

b/2
W

SUPER ELEVATION
Super elevation
e+f=v2/gR
Attainment of Super-elevation

Elimination of crown of
the cambered portion

Rotation of pavement to
attain full super-elevation

RADIUS OF HORIZONTAL CURVE

Rruling = v2/ (e+f) g

WIDENING OF PAVEMENT ON HORIZONTAL

CURVES

Mechanical
widening

Psychological
widening

Wps=V/9.5R

Find wm

Extra
widening

CURVE RESISTANCE

VERTICAL ALIGNMENT
Ruling gradient

Limiting gradient

Exceptional gradient

Minimum gradient

L> SSD
L=NS2/4.4
L<SSD
L=2S-4.4/N

L= 0.38 ( N V3)