St.

Paul University Surigao

St. Paul University System
8400 Surigao City, Philippines

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Principles of Transportation Engineering

Mary An L. Amacanin

BS Civil Engineering – 4

REACTION PAPER

In

Highway Geometric Design

The geometric design of highway is the determination of layout and arrangements of

the features visible on highway. This includes pavement widths, horizontal and vertical
alignment, slopes channelization, intersections and other features that can significantly affect
the operations, safety and capacity of the roadway network. The emphasis is more on satisfying
the need of the driver as well as to ensure the safety of the vehicle, the comfort while driving
and efficiency. Other related factors are also considered based on the project. The geometric
design of highway is influenced by the characteristics of the vehicle, the behavior of the driver,
the psychology of the driver traffic characteristics, traffic volume, and traffic speed.

The main objective of geometric design is to get optimum efficiency in the traffic
operation period and maximum safety. All these features must be attained with maximum
economy in the cost and construction. Unlike the construction of pavement, the planning
process is carried out in advance. And the typical road cross section is that portion of the
roadway between the outer edge of the outer traffic lane and the inside edge of the ditch,
gutter, curb or slope. Shoulders are provided for the safe operation and to allow the
development of full traffic capacity.

The Horizontal Curves are one of the two important transition elements in highways
geometric design (along with the Vertical Curves). Horizontal curve provides a transition
between the two tangent strips of roadway, allowing a vehicle to negotiate a turn at a gradual
rate rather than a sharp cut. The design of the curve is dependent on the intended design
speed for the roadway, as well as other factors including drainage and friction. These curves are
semicircles as to provide the driver with a constant turning rate with radii determined by the
laws of physics surrounding centripetal force.