Coordination of Vertical and Horizontal Alignment
Coordination of Vertical and Horizontal Alignment
Coordination of Vertical and Horizontal Alignment
Alignment
• Curvature and grade should be in proper
balance
– Avoid
• Excessive curvature to achieve flat
grades
• Excessive grades to achieve flat
curvature
• Sharp horizontal curvature should not be
introduced at or near the top of a crest Image source:
vertical curve http://www.webs1.uidaho.edu/niatt_labmanual/Chapters/ge
ometricdesign/theoryandconcepts/DescendingGrades.htm
Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.
Source: FHWA,
Chapter 5 Dr. Hana Naghawi 6
Coordination of Horizontal and Vertical
Alignment
• Should be consistent with the topography
• Preserve developed properties along the
road
• Incorporate community values
• Follow natural contours of the land
Source: FHWA,
Chapter 5 Dr. Hana Naghawi 7
Good Coordination of Horizontal and
Vertical Alignment
• Does not affect aesthetic,
beautiful, historic, and
cultural resources along
the way
• Enhances attractive
beautiful views
– Rivers
– Rock formations
– Parks
– Historic sites
– Outstanding buildings
Source: FHWA,
Chapter 5
Dr. Hana Naghawi 8
Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.
Dr. Hana Naghawi 9
There are 2 problems with this
alignment.
There are 2 problems with this alignment. What are they? Source: A Policy
Source: A Policy
on Geometric
Design of
Highways and
Streets (The Green
Book).
Washington, DC.
American
Association of
State Highway
and Transportation
Officials, 2001 4th
Ed.