COLLEGE OF BUILD ENVIRONMENT

DEPARTMENT OF SURVEYING SCIENCE AND GEOMATICS UNIVERSITI

TEKNOLOGI MARA (UITM) PERLIS BRANCH

BACHELOR’S IN SURVEYING SCIENCE GEOMATICS

NOV 2023-FEB 2024

GLS 518
INTERMEDIATE ENGINEERING SURVEYING
TOPIC: ROAD SURVEY

BY:
WAN MUHAMMAD SYAHIRAN BIN WAN AZMAN
2022664438

GROUP CLASS: RCFAP2203A

PREPARED FOR:
DR NAZIRAH MD TARMIZI
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Firstly, I express my sincere gratitude to Almighty Allah for granting me the strength and blessings
that enabled me to successfully complete this assignment. His guidance has been instrumental
in my accomplishment.

I am also thankful to my lecturer, Dr. Nazirah binti Md Tarmizi, for her continuous mentorship. Her
support and assistance in providing valuable information have been crucial to the completion of
this assignment. Without her guidance, it would have been impossible for me to finish and submit
the assignment on time.

Lastly, I extend a heartfelt thank you to the individuals around me who contributed their time,
effort, and ideas to help me complete this assignment. I hope that the collective effort will bring
numerous benefits to me. The support from everyone involved has played a significant role in my
success.

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

NO CONTENT PAGE

1.O INTRODUCTION 1-3

1.1 Road Curve 1

1.1.1 Horizontal Curve 1

1.1.2 Transition Curve 2

1.1.3 Vertical Curve 3

2.0 EXPLANATION 4-8

2.1 Explanation of Horizontal Curve 4-6

2.2 Explanation of Transition Curve 7

2.3 Explanantion of Vertical Curve 8

3.0 CONCLUSION 9

4.0 REFERENCES 10

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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 ROAD CURVE
A road curve is a segment of a roadway that deviates from a straight path, taking
on a curvilinear form. These curves are designed and incorporated into road systems for
various reasons, including accommodating the natural topography of the landscape,
enhancing safety by controlling speeds, and providing an aesthetically pleasing driving
experience.

Engineers study curves to make sure they are safe, comfortable, and convenient
for everyone on the road. Good curves consider things like the right shape, smooth
transitions, and good visibility so drivers can go around corners without any problems.
Making sure the road is comfy for passengers means avoiding sharp turns. Designers also
think about how fast cars are going, how much traffic there is, and the surroundings to
keep everything moving smoothly. However, there are two types of curve that are
Horizontal curve and Vertical curve.

1.1.1 HORIZONTAL CURVE

Horizontal curves play a vital role in highway design, serving as a key

element alongside vertical curves. Unlike abrupt turns, a horizontal curve facilitates
a gradual transition between two straight stretches of road, enabling vehicles to
navigate turns smoothly. The design of these curves is influenced by factors such
as the planned speed of the roadway, drainage considerations, and friction.
Essentially, the goal is to create curves that allow drivers to turn at a comfortable
and consistent rate.

Typically shaped like semicircles, horizontal curves follow the principles of

centripetal force in physics. This design choice ensures that drivers experience a
constant turning rate, contributing to a safer and more predictable driving
environment. By carefully considering these factors, engineers aim to optimize the
geometry of horizontal curves to enhance both the safety and efficiency of highway
travel.

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1.1.2 Transition Curve

A transition curve is a type of horizontal curve with a variable radius,

meaning the curve's radius changes gradually. At the tangential point, the radius
becomes infinite, which is where the transition curve meets the selected radius of
the primary horizontal curve. The primary purpose of a horizontal curve is to
smoothly transition between two straight segments of a road, allowing vehicles to
negotiate turns with comfort and safety. Transition curves play a crucial role in
making this transition even smoother by gradually changing the curvature.
Essentially, they act as a connecting link, ensuring a seamless flow between
straight roads and curved sections, contributing to a safer and more comfortable
driving experience.

As said, a transition curve is a type of horizontal curve with a variable

radius, meaning the curve's radius changes gradually. At the tangential point, the
radius becomes infinite, which is where the transition curve meets the selected
radius of the primary horizontal curve.

The primary purpose of a horizontal curve is to smoothly transition between

two straight segments of a road, allowing vehicles to negotiate turns with comfort
and safety. Transition curves play a crucial role in making this transition even
smoother by gradually changing the curvature. Essentially, they act as a
connecting link, ensuring a seamless flow between straight roads and curved
sections, contributing to a safer and more comfortable driving experience.

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1.1.3 Vertical Curve

Indeed, vertical curves play a crucial role in the geometric design of

highways, complementing the significance of horizontal curves. Unlike abrupt
changes in slope, a vertical curve provides a gradual transition between two sloped
roadways, allowing vehicles to navigate changes in elevation smoothly. This
design choice ensures that the rate of elevation change is gradual rather than
sudden, contributing to a safer and more comfortable driving experience.

The design of vertical curves takes into account various factors, including
the intended design speed for the roadway, drainage considerations, slope,
acceptable rate of change in elevation, and friction. These curves are typically
parabolic in shape, creating a smooth and continuous transition between different
grades. Stationing is often assigned based on a horizontal axis, providing a
standardized way to measure and locate these curves along the roadway. Overall,
the careful incorporation of vertical curves into highway design is essential for
optimizing the road's safety, efficiency, and comfort for motorists.

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2.0 EXPLANATION
2.1 EXPLANATION OF HORIZONTAL CURVE
Horizontal curves are indeed crucial in road design, and there are two main types.
The first type is the circular curve, characterized by a constant radius. This type further
breaks down into three specific forms: simple curve, compound curve, and reverse curve.
Simple curves have a consistent curvature, compound curves combine two or more simple
curves in a continuous manner, and reverse curves change in direction.

The second type is the transition curve, distinguished by a varying radius.

Transition curves are designed to smoothly transition between straight segments and
curves, offering a gradual change in curvature and contributing to a safer and more
comfortable driving experience.

Two main types of horizontal curve:

i. Circular Curves

ii. Transition Curve

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Types of circular curves:

*Consist of one arc with constant radius.

*Most commonly used.

*Consist of two or more consecutive simple circular curve of different radii without any
intervening straight section.

* Consist of two consecutive curves of the same or different radii

without any intervening straight section
*Their centre of the curvature falling on opposite sides of their common tangent point.
*Used to connect two straights which are very nearly parallel and that would otherwise
require a very long simple circular curve

Circular curve geometry:

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PROCEDUR:

The provided procedures outline the steps for setting out a horizontal curve using different
methods. Let's break down each procedure:

i. Offset from Tangent Procedure:

a. Start by establishing a line from point T1 to the intersection point.

b. Drive pegs at 5m intervals along the tangent line.
c. Set out the offsets at right angles from the tangent line to the curve at specified
intervals according to tabulated data.

ii. Offset from Long Chord Procedure:

a. Locate points 1 and 2 and measure the distance between them, ensuring it equals
60m.
b. Drive pegs at 10m intervals along the chord.
c. Set out the offsets at right angles to the long chord using a prism and drive in pegs
to mark the curve.

iii. Finding the Centre Procedure:

a. Measure distances IT1 and IT2 from point I.

b. Mark positions of T1 and T2.
c. Mark the center O at the point where the tapes intersect when reading R.
d. Establish any point on the curve by hooking the tape over the peg O and swinging
the radius

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2.2 EXPLANATION OF TRANSITION CURVE

CENTRIFUGAL FORCE AND DESIGN SPEED

Transition curves, unlike curves with constant radii, pose a more intricate
design challenge as their radius continuously changes. This complexity is
attributed to the necessity of accommodating the centrifugal force acting on a
vehicle during its traversal around the curve. Centrifugal force, a term derived from
Latin, where "centrum" signifies "center" and "fugere" denotes "to flee," is a force
related to rotation.

In road design, there are two forms of centrifugal force, both directed away
from the axis of rotation. The implementation of transition curves involves more
complex formulae, demanding a meticulous approach to design. This complexity
arises from the need to address the changing radii and the dynamic forces exerted
on vehicles, ensuring that roadways are not only well-constructed but also provide
a safe and comfortable driving experience.

A vehicle traveling with a constant speed, v along a curve of radius, r is subjected

entrifugal force, P

✓ P =mv2/r , where m is mass of the vehicle

✓ On a straight road, r = infinity, therefore P = 0
✓ On a circular curve of radius R, r=R, therefore P =(mv2/R)

THE SHIFT, S

Because of transition curves, the original curve appears to shift from its original
position. The new curved part now has a slightly reduced radius,R

✓ S = L2 / 24 R
Where L = Total length of curve
R = Radius of curve

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2.2 EXPLANATION OF VERTICAL CURVE

GRADE:

▪ A grade refers to the level or slope of the ground needed for a particular
route, like a road or a railway track.
▪ It ensures a balance between cutting into the ground (cut) and filling up
the ground (fill) during construction.
▪ Additionally, it helps in proper drainage of the road surface, preventing
water-related issues.

GRADIENTS:

▪ Gradients represent the percentage of slope designed in a vertical curve.

▪ Essentially, they indicate how steep or gentle the slope is in a vertical
direction.

GRADING:

▪ Gradients rising to the right are considered positive.

▪ Gradients falling to the right are considered negative.
▪ The left-hand gradient is labeled as p%.
▪ The right-hand gradient is labeled as q%.
▪ The algebraic difference between gradients is always (p - q)%.

PERCENTAGE OF GRADIENT:

% of gradient = Ratio x 100

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3.0 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, road curves are integral elements in highway design, serving

diverse purposes such as accommodating natural terrain, enhancing safety, and providing a
pleasing driving experience. The two main types of curves, horizontal and vertical, undergo
careful engineering considerations to ensure safety, comfort, and efficiency for road users.

Horizontal curves, including circular and transition curves, play a crucial role in highway design.
Circular curves, with constant radii, come in various forms, and their proper design ensures a
consistent turning rate for drivers. Transition curves, with varying radii, provide a seamless
transition between straight segments and curves, contributing significantly to a safer and more
comfortable driving experience.

Vertical curves, with their parabolic shapes, contribute to a gradual transition between sloped
roadways. Grades and gradients are key factors in vertical curve design, balancing cut and fill
during construction and ensuring proper drainage. Grading involves positive and negative
gradients, and their algebraic difference is crucial in determining the overall slope.

In essence, the thoughtful incorporation of these curve types, along with their associated design
elements, optimizes road safety, efficiency, and comfort. Engineers strive to create roadways that
not only navigate the natural landscape but also prioritize the well-being of motorists, resulting in
a harmonious integration of transportation infrastructure and the surrounding environment.

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4.0 REFERENCES

Vicky (2020) Road Curves in Road and Track Alignment

https://civilengineeringnotes.com/road-curves/

David Levinson (2021) Horizontal Curves; LibreTexts Engineering

https://eng.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Civil_Engineering/Fundamentals_of_Tran
sportation/07%3A_Geometric_Design/7.04%3A_Horizontal_Curves

APSEd (2022) Transition Curves: Concept, Types and Length Calculations

https://www.apsed.in/post/transition-curves-concept-types-and-lenght-
calculations

David Levinson (2021) Vertical Curves; LibreTxets Engineering

https://eng.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Civil_Engineering/Fundamentals_of_Tran
sportation/07%3A_Geometric_Design/7.05%3A_Vertical_Curves

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