17.3.3. Length of the summit curve

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is a summit curve?

   Hint

   Think about how curves relate to road elevation.

2. 2.

   Why is sight distance important in road design?

   Hint

   Consider safety while driving.

3. 3.

   What is the primary purpose of a summit curve?

   • To connect two positive gradients
   • To reduce road width
   • To decrease construction costs

   Hint

   Think about the curve’s function in road elevation.

4. 4.

   True or False: The length of a summit curve can be irrelevant to driver safety.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider how visibility affects stopping ability.

5. 5.

   A road is designed with a stopping sight distance of 200m. Calculate the length of the summit curve ensuring the height of obstruction is 0.2m.

   Hint

   Use the geometry rules related to parabolas.

6. 6.

   If the driver's eye height is increased to 1.5m, how would this affect the length of the summit curves for roads where gradients vary significantly?

   Hint

   Consider how the parabolic equation shifts with changes in height.