EVALUATION OF TRANSITION CURVE DESIGN PARAMETERS USING AN ANALYTICAL VEHICLE MODEL

The aim of the work described in this paper is to determine, quantitatively, the implications for driver and vehicle of attempting to follow a given curve, precisely as it is set out. A prescribed-trajectory vehicle model is used, which allows the computation of the steer angle history necessary for the vehicle to precisely follow a given horizontal and vertical road alignment. In numerical experiments, the effect of changing various transition curve design parameters is explored in terms of the compatibility between the roadway input visible to the driver and the control response required of him, and in terms of the transient vehicle motions and body forces experienced. Application of a steer angle disturbance criterion establishes limits on design parameters which are consistent and are not very different from those currently employed in many design policies. The vehicle model is also used to compare the consequences of the different detailed design practices employed by different highway authorities when designing curves for the same nominal conditions. This application of a relatively complex vehicle model to the comparison of alternative roadway geometries shows promise as an evaluation tool. However, further work is required to refine the evaluation criteria, preferably by incorporation of a realistic model of driver steering control. (A) /TRRL/

• Record URL:
  • http://arrbknowledge.com
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00050164
• Corporate Authors:

  ARRB

  Melbourne, Victoria  Australia 
• Authors:
  • Good, M C
• Publication Date: 1977-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 14-22
• Serial:
  • Australian Road Research
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: ARRB
  • ISSN: 0005-0164

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceleration (Mechanics); Alignment; Automated vehicle control; Automobiles; Curvature; Design; Drivers; Dynamics; Evaluation; Highway curves; Highway design; Layout; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Simulation; Steering; Superelevation; Transition curves; Vehicles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Horizontal alignment; Models; Vertical alignment
• ITRD Terms: 5405: Acceleration; 1057: Air transport network; 2894: Alignment; 2872: Bend (road); 2870: Degree of curvature; 9011: Design (overall design); 5473: Dynamics; 2855: Highway design; 2885: Layout; 6473: Mathematical model; 1834: Steering (process); 2850: Superelevation; 2892: Transition curve
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Vehicles and Equipment; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure; I73: Traffic Control; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00165719
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Report/Paper Numbers: Analytic
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: May 18 1978 12:00AM