Sharp Curve, Obstructed

Open drainage-restricts shouldering

Good sight distance – due to
widened shoulder
B. Passing Sight Distance (PSD)

PSD is the sight distance long enough to enable a vehicle to overtake and pass another vehicle on a
two-lane highway without interference from opposing traffic.

PSD is critical at curved highway sections. That is why along curves, it must be visibly free of
obstructions in order to permit a vehicle moving at the design speed to pass a slower moving vehicle.

obstructed
Total Passing Sight Distance: S = d 1 + d2 + d3 + d 4

where:

d1 = distance traversed during perception and reaction time and during the initial acceleration to the
point of encroachment on the left lane

d2 = distance travelled while the passing vehicle occupies the left lane

d3 = distance between the passing vehicle at the end of its maneuver and the opposing vehicle

d4 = distance traversed by opposing vehicle for two-thirds of the time the passing vehicle occupies the
left lane or sometimes taken as 2/3 d2
d1 = distance traversed during perception and reaction time and during the initial
acceleration to the point of encroachment on the left lane

Acceleration to Distance Formula:

The following formula can be used to calculate distance from an acceleration.

d1 = Vt + ½ at2
d2 = distance travelled while the passing vehicle occupies the left lane

d2 = V2 t2

d3 = distance between the passing vehicle at the end of its maneuver and the opposing
vehicle

d4 = 2/3 d2
Assumptions for PSD

The following assumptions for PSD are made based on observed traffic
behavior:

1. The overtaken vehicle travels at a uniform speed (slower than design

speed)
2. The passing vehicle trails the overtaken vehicle as it enters a passing
section
3. The driver requires a short period of time to perceive whether a clear
passing section is available and to start maneuvering
4. The passing vehicle accelerates during the maneuver, during the
occupancy of the left lane, at about 16 kph higher than the overtaken
vehicle.
5. There is a suitable clearance length between the passing vehicle and the
oncoming vehicle
Problem :

Compute the passing sight distance that vehicle A could move while overtaking the slow moving vehicle B
before meeting the on-coming vehicle C.

Given:

Speed of car A(passing vehicle) = 96 kph

Speed of slow moving vehicle(overtaken vehicle) = 88 kph
Perception-reaction time, t1 = 2.5 sec.
Average acceleration, a = 2.4 m/sec.²
Time the passing vehicle occupies the left lane, t2 = 10.4 sec.
Distance between the passing vehicle at the end of its maneuver and the opposing vehicle = 84 m

Solve for the passing sight distance.

Solution:

Passing sight distance, PSD = d1+ d2 + d3 + d4

d1 = V1t1+1/2 at1²

d2 = V2t2
d3 = 84 m. (given)

d4 = 2/3 d2

V1 = speed of passing vehicle A at d1

V2 = speed of passing vehicle A at d2

At the moment the driver decides to
overtake:

V1 = 88 kph (24.44 m/s)

d1 = V1t1+1/2 at1²
= 24.44(2.5) + ½(2.4)(2.5)²
= 68.60 m

In order to overtake, V2 = 96 kph (26.67 m/s)

d2 = V2 t2
= 26.67 (10.4)
= 277.37 m

d3 = 84 m

d4 = 2/3 d2
= 2/3 (277.37)
= 184.91 m
PSD = d1+ d2 + d3 + d4

PSD = 614.88 m
Today’s References:

1. Transportation Engineering:
A Practical Approach to Highway Design, Traffic Analysis, and Systems Operations

2. Elements of Roads and Highways(Fajardo)

3. CEI Institute PH

4. DPWH Highway Safety Design Standards