Grade separated

intersections

By,
J . Keerthana
4th year civil-A
 Grade-separated intersections are provided to separate the traffic in the
vertical grade . When a railway line crosses a road, then also grade separators
are used.
 Different types of grade-separators are flyovers and interchange.
 Flyovers itself are subdivided into overpass and underpass.
 When two roads cross at a point, if the road having major traffic is elevated to
a higher grade for further movement of traffic, then such structures are called
overpass.
 If the major road is depressed to a lower level to cross another by means of an
under bridge or tunnel, it is called under-pass.
OVERPASS
UNDERPASS
INTERCHANGE:
Interchange is a system whereby facility is provided for movement of traffic
between two or more roadways at different levels in a grade separated junction.
Interchange can be classified as,
 Three-leg interchange:  Four-leg interchange:
 T interchange  Diamond interchange
 Y interchange  Half clover leaf interchange
 partial rotary interchange  Clover leaf interchange

 Multi-leg interchange:  Directional interchange

 Rotary interchange
Three-leg interchange:
 If one of the legs of the interchange meets a highway at some angle but
does not cross it, and if the junction is provided with interchanging
facility , the junction is called T interchange.
 If the intersection angle is acute or obtuse, the junction is called Y
interchange.
 A widely used form of a T or V interchange is a trumpet interchange.
 The major drawback is the vehicles leaving the major road have to turn
through a small radius.
Four-leg interchange:
Diamond interchange:
Diamond interchange is a popular form of four-leg interchange
found in the urban locations where major and minor roads crosses. The important
feature of this interchange is that it can be designed even if the major road is
relatively narrow.
Clover leaf interchange:
It is also a four leg interchange and is used when two highways of
high volume and speed intersect each other with considerable turning
movements. The main advantage of cloverleaf intersection is that it provides
complete separation of traffic. In addition, high
speed at intersections can be achieved. However,
the disadvantage is that large area of land is
required. Therefore, cloverleaf interchanges
are provided mainly in rural areas.
Partial cloverleaf interchange:
When a major road crosses a minor road(not more than 3 lanes), it is possible to
provide a partial cloverleaf . It provides more acceleration and deceleration
space on the freeway.
Directional interchange:
An interchange which gives direct or semi-direct connections for the major
right-turning movements is called a directional interchange. These interchanges
are rather complex and involve complicated multilevel structures.
Rotary interchange:
A Rotary interchange is another form of 4-leg interchange popular in some
countries, especially U.K. It can also be used for multileg interchange. It is
provided at circular junctions where traffic is permitted to flow in one direction
around central island and one road axis is raised above the rotary intersection to
allow grade separation.
ADVANTAGES OF GRADE SEPARATED INTERSECTIONS:

It provides maximum facility to the crossing traffic and avoids accident
while crossing.
They provide increased safety for turning traffic.
Grade separation is an essential part of controlled access highway as an
expressway.
Traffic capacity is increased.
It is possible to adopt grade separation for all likely angles and layout
of intersection angles.
DISADVANTAGES OF GRADE SEPARATED INTERSECTIONS:

Construction cost is very high.

It is difficult to construct and undesirable where there is a limited
right of way or where the topography is not favorable.
In flat or plain terrains grade separation may introduce undesirable
crests and sags in vertical alignments .
Requires skilled professionals for construction and design.