SUPERELEVATIO

N
OF CURVES
Analysis of the forces acting on the vehicle as it moves
around a curve of constant radius indicates that the
theoretical superelevation can be expressed in the following
terms:

Where:
e = rate of roadway superelevation, percent
f = side-friction factor
v = vehicle speed, ft/s (m/s)
g = gravitational constant, 32.2 ft/s2 (9.81 m/s2)
R = curve radius, ft (m)
 As such, a simplified curve formula can be used for highway
design and this equation can be further developed to
accommodate common speed units as follows:

U.S. Customary Units:

Where: V = velocity, mph

Metric Units:

Where: V = velocity, km/h

Use of the maximum e and safe f value in the formula permits

determination of minimum curve radii for various speeds.
 The minimum safe radius for a given design speed can be
determined from the rate of superelevation and side-friction
factor. The minimum safe radius R can be calculated as
follows:
U.S. Customary Units:

Metric Units:

Radius Calculation

Rmin related to max. f and max. e allowed

Rmin use max e and max f (defined by AASHTO, DOT,
and graphed in Green Book) and design speed

Max f
f is a function of speed, roadway surface, weather
condition, tire condition, and based on comfort
drivers brake, make sudden lane changes and
changes within a lane when acceleration around a
curve becomes uncomfortable
AASHTO: 0.5 @ 20 mph with new tires and wet
pavement to 0.35 @ 60 mph
f decreases as speed increases (less tire/pavement
contact)
Max e
Controlled by 4 factors:
Climate conditions (amount of ice and snow)
Terrain (flat, rolling, mountainous)
Type of area (rural or urban)
Frequency of slow moving vehicles who
might be influenced by high superelevation
Highest in common use = 10%, 12% with no
rates
ice and snow on low volume gravel-surfaced
roads
8% is logical maximum to minimize slipping
by stopped vehicles
For consistency use a single rate within a
project or on a highway
Source: A
Policy on
Geometric
Design of
Highways
and Streets
(The Green
Book).
Washington
, DC.
American
Association
of State
Highway
and
Transportati
on Officials,
Superelevation
Road Section View Road Plan View
CL

2% 2%
Superelevation
Road Section View Road Plan View
CL

1.5% 2%
Superelevation
Road Section View Road Plan View
CL

1% 2%
 Superelevation
Road Section View Road
Plan View
0.5% CL 2%
Superelevation
Road Section Road Plan View
View
CL 2
-0.0% %
 Superelevation
Road Section View Road Plan View

CL
-0.5% 2%
Superelevation
Road Road
Section Plan View
View C
-1% 2
L
%
Superelevation
Road Section View Road Plan View

-.5% CL 2
%
 Superelevation
Road Section Road Plan View
View
C
-2% 2
L
%
Superelevation
Road Section View Road Plan View
C
-3% 3
L
%
Super elevation
Road Section View Road Plan View
CL
-4%

4%
Superelevation
Road Road
Section Plan View
View C
-3% 3
L
%
Superelevation
Road Road
Section Plan View
View C
-2% 2
L
%
Superelevation
Road Road
Section Plan View
- ViewC 2
L
1.5 %
%
Superelevation
Road Road
Section Plan View
View C
-1% 2
L
%
Superelevation
Road Road
Section Plan View
- ViewC 2
L
0.5 %
%
Superelevation
Road Road
Section Plan View
- ViewC 2
L
0.0 %
%
Superelevation
Road Road
Section Plan View
View C
0.5 2
L
% %
Superelevation
Road Road
Section Plan View
View C
1% 2
L
%
Superelevation
Road Road
Section Plan View
View C
1.5 2
L
% %
Superelevation
Road Road
Section Plan View
View C
2% 2
L
%