Research on choice of design parameters for vertical alignment based on vehicles’ operating performance on highway downgrade segments

Steep and consecutive downgrade segments of the highways in mountainous areas are considered hazardous to vehicles, especially to heavy trucks. The objective of the study is to provide research results to supports the revising of the design standards in the Chinese Technical Standard of Highway Engineering (TSHE). The paper analyzes truck drivers’ behavior on the downgrade segments, and investigates the relationship between braking distance and vertical grade, and between temperature of brakes and vertical length. Based on the investigation, the paper proposes the maximum vertical grades for various design scenarios, which can be used along with other parameters values (such as horizontal and cross-sectional design features, construction costs, design consistency) to determine the maximum vertical grades for the new TSHE to maximize the highway safety.

• Authors:
  • Xiaoming, Z
  • Shuling, W
  • Xiaoming, L
  • Xiaoduan, S
  • Ronggui, Z
• Conference:
  • International Symposium on Highway Geometric Design, 3rd, 2005, Chicago, Illinois, USA
• Publication Date: 2005

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 18p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Brakes; Design standards; Developing countries; Drivers; Geometric segments; Heavy vehicles; Highway design; Highway grades; Highway safety; Highways; Slopes; Stopping distances; Temperature; Vehicle dynamics
• Geographic Terms: China
• ATRI Terms: Brake; Braking distance; Design standard; Developing countries; Driver behaviour; Gradient; Heavy vehicle; Highway; Road design; Road geometry; Road safety; Slope; Temperature; Vehicle dynamics
• Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01387503
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 23 2012 12:05AM