14. Horizontal alignment I
Horizontal alignment is critical for the efficiency and safety of highways, impacting vehicle speed and operational costs. Design considerations encompass the influence of terrain on design speed and the dynamic forces on vehicles navigating horizontal curves, including centrifugal force and friction. Superelevation is employed to counteract these forces, balancing centrifugal force through proper design of road curvature and vehicle speed management.
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What we have learnt
- Horizontal alignment affects the speed and comfort of vehicles on highways.
- Design speed varies based on road type and terrain classification.
- Super-elevation is crucial for maintaining vehicle stability on curves.
Key Concepts
- -- Horizontal Alignment
- The geometric design of highway pathways that influence vehicle speed and safety.
- -- Superelevation
- The banking of a roadway at a curve, which helps counteract centrifugal forces acting on vehicles.
- -- Design Speed
- The speed selected for the design of a roadway, reflecting the type of terrain and the road classification.
- -- Centrifugal Force
- A reactive force acting outward on a vehicle navigating a curve, influenced by vehicle speed and curve radius.
- -- Transverse Skidding
- A loss of traction that occurs when the centrifugal force exceeds the frictional resistance at the tires.
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