INTRODUCTION TO

GEOMETRIC DESIGN

Eng. Suneth Thushara

Salawavidana
INTRODUCTION

3 dimensional alignment.
Presented in 2 projections.
Horizontal alignment (composed of the
straight, the circular curve and the
transition curve)
Vertical alignment (composed of the
straight and the vertical curve)
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INTRODUCTION CONTD

Horizontal alignment and vertical alignment

should be combined to result a safe and
aesthetically pleasing design.
The alignment should be consistent
throughout the length of any uniform
section.
Abrupt changes in design is dangerous.

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DESIGN VEHICLES

Passenger Car P design vehicle [P]

Single Unit Truck [BUS]
Single Unit Truck [SU]
Comb. Truck Intermediate Semi trailer [WB-
12]
Comb. Truck Large (Semi trailer) [WB-15]
Comb. Truck Large (Full trailer) [WB-18]

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ROAD CROSS SECTIONS

Carriageway
Shoulder
Drain
Centre median
Reservation for utility services
Right of way

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CARRIAGEWAY
The surface of the road on which the
vehicles are expected to run
It can be single lane, two lanes, four lanes
or multi lanes.
A traffic lane is demarcated by lane
markings for the use of a single line of
traffic.
The desirable lane width is 3.7m
The absolute minimum lane width is 3.1m
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SHOULDERS

To accommodate vehicles to stand or for

emergency maneuvering.
Shoulders are used by pedestrians
(developing countries)
For motorists, better utilization of road
capacity.
The desirable width of a shoulder is 3.0m.
Minimum width is 1.8m

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DRAINS
Provided for the efficient discharge of storm water
Size of the drain is determined by runoff.
The minimum width of drains should be 0.6m.
The cross section should be rectangular or
trapezoidal.
Catch drains intercept surface run off from
adjoining lands on top of hill slopes to protect
embankment from seepage water.
Lead away drains required to discharge rain
water from the side drains to natural streams or low
lying areas.
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CENTRE MEDIAN

Used basically for 4 lane or multi-lane

roads.
Required to divide the carriageway to
avoid conflicts of opposing traffic.
Refuge for pedestrians.
Two way multilane roads always have
a median for safety reasons.
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RSERVATION FOR UTILITY
SERVICES

For new roads, provision should be

made for utility services.
Telecommunication, water, electricity.
To avoid damaging the road after
construction.

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RIGHT OF WAY

Total land area used for the road

including the reservation for utility
services and any future widening.

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Crossfall

To drain the road surface.

Excessive crossfalls make driving
uncomfortable.
Concrete - 2.0%
Asphalt paving - 2.5%
Bitumen seals - 3.0%
Gravel roads - 4.0%

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