Grade Separation

Grade Separation

Prof. J. M. S. J. Bandara

Training Programme on Computer Aided Geometric Design of Highways

Transportation Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering,
 Grade Separation

GRADE SEPARATION
An interchange - vertical level separation for vehicles by means of a bridge
- eliminate crossing conflicts.
- may be an over pass or under pass transfer of routes by using
ramps.

Direct Semi-direct Indirect

(for a right turn)

Advantages:
1) No delays & accidents while crossing
2) Increased safety for turning traffic
3) Increase in comfort & convenience, saving in travel time
4) Increase in capacity
5) Access control for expressway
6) Applicable for roads crossing at any angle
7) Stage construction of additional ramps possible

Disadvantages:
1) Expensive
2) Required more space
3) Unnecessary crests & sags in vertical alignment in flat terrain

Training Programme on Computer Aided Geometric Design of Highways

Transportation Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering,
 Grade Separation

OVER PASS UNDER PASS

Advantages Advantages
span of the bridge is less warning to traffic
less feeling of restriction advantages to turning traffic
future expansion of major road is easier - from cross roads can accelerate
- from major highway can decelerate
easier for the expansion of minor road
main highway at the existing grade
Disadvantages Disadvantages
Increase grades - speed reductions drainage problem - high water
for heavy vehicles table
restricted sight distance feeling of restriction
no possibility of stage construction for
the main road

T - JUNCTIONS

Trumpet A & Trumpet B

Trumpet A Trumpet B

loop in advance of the intercepted road loop beyond the intercepted road

Training Programme on Computer Aided Geometric Design of Highways

Transportation Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering,
 Grade Separation
Directional Y

INTERCHANGES WITH MINOR CROSS ROADS

Diamond type

Wrong Way

Training Programme on Computer Aided Geometric Design of Highways

Transportation Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering,
 Grade Separation
Partial Clover leaf

Generally rural roads are two way roads. Therefore, there can be a possibility of wrong way
movement at an diamond interchange.

Parclo B : eliminate wrong way movement

Parclo A : left turn movements require direct right turn at the crossroad.
four quadrant eliminate this problem
(too costly) good for major roads.
Parclo AB : cross road closely parallel a river or a rail road

Parclo A – Loop in advance Parclo B – Loop beyond the cross road

Training Programme on Computer Aided Geometric Design of Highways

Transportation Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering,
 Grade Separation

Parclo A – (4 Quadrant) Parclo B – (4 Quadrant)

Parclo AB eliminate wrong-way movement

Training Programme on Computer Aided Geometric Design of Highways

Transportation Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering,
 Grade Separation
URBAN MAJOR STREETS
Diamond - wrong-way movements are less in buildup areas.
(one way streets & prohibition of turns are expected)
Three types i Conventional (with signals)
ii Split diamond
iii Split diamond with one way cross streets

If conventional diamond does not have sufficient capacity - split diamond is not feasible. Parclo
- A (4 quad) may be used.

(i) (ii)

Training Programme on Computer Aided Geometric Design of Highways

Transportation Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering,
 Interchanges

(iii)

Low to moderate traffic - conventional diamond with 3φ signal

Moderate traffic - Split diamond with 2φ signal
Heavy traffic - Split diamond one way with 2φ signal

Parclo - A - when (i) & (ii) inappropriate - ideal for two way
streets for high volumes - 2 φ
Parclo - B - for moderate traffic - two direct right turns are
made off rather than on to the cross street.
Full Cloverleaf - not justified

Training Programme on Computer Aided Highway Design

Transportation Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa
 Interchanges

PRIMARY HIGHWAY

Clover leaf - Weaving problem

Training Programme on Computer Aided Highway Design

Transportation Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa
 Interchanges

Clover leaf with Collector / Distributor roads

Training Programme on Computer Aided Highway Design

Transportation Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa
 Interchanges

UNIFORMITY OF OPERATIONAL PATTERN

Diamond Parclo B Parclo B (4 quad) Parclo A (4 quad) Cloverleaf

Inconsistent

Uniform

Training Programme on Computer Aided Highway Design

Transportation Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa