Minimum Clearance Offsets for Providing Desired Stopping Sight Distances at Simple Curves with Variable Operating Speeds

Abstract

Lateral clearance on the inside of horizontal curves is required by all geometric design guidelines in order to provide at least stopping sight distance. There already exist graphical models, analytical models, and design charts for determining minimum clearance offsets to meet the requirement. Some of these models determine the offsets based on constant design sight distance values on the assumption that drivers negotiate horizontal curves at constant speed. Therefore, those models are suitable for sites where there is no difference in speeds between tangent and curved sections. Past studies have reported that there are sites where drivers decelerate on entering horizontal curves and accelerate on departing from the curves. At those sites stopping sight distance for a given driver varies with driver location due to variable speed. This paper presents an analytical model and a chart for determining minimum offsets needed to provide desired sight distances at horizontal curves with variable operating speeds. At those sites the offsets yield roadside clearance boundaries that have transition arcs with performances that are similar to those of elliptical arcs. Therefore, practitioners may choose to use elliptical equations or equations and the chart developed herein. Results of this study will be of value to practitioners in the area of roadside design.