MINIMUM LENGTHS OF VERTICAL

CURVES
Design standards for vertical curves establish minimum lenghts for
specific circumstances

For highways
-Minimum lenghts of vertical curves may be based on sight
distance, or comfort standards, or appearance criteria.

For passenger railways (urban trail transit)

-minimum vertical curve lenghts will be based on vertical
acceleration standards
• For airport runways

- minimum vertical curve lenghts are based on sight distance.

1.0 CREST VERTICAL CURVE
2.0 SAG VERTICAL CURVE
Minimum lengths of vertical curves on
highways may be based on the ff.

oSIGHT DISTANCE CRITERION

oCOMFORT CRITERION

oAPPEARANCE
SIGHT DISTANCE CRITERION

SIGHT DISTANCE
FOR CREST VERTICAL CURVES
• GENERAL FORMULA: (CREST VERTICAL CURVE)

FOR S ≤ L FOR S ≥ L

WHERE :
S = sight distance
L = vertical curve length
A = absolute value of the algebraic difference in grades, in %, (𝑔1 − 𝑔2 )
ℎ1 = height of the eye
ℎ2 = height of the object
For stopping sight distance, the height of object is normally taken to
be 0.15m or 0.5 ft.
The height of eye is assumed to be 1.080m based on ASSHTO 2004
and 2011
Substituting these values for ℎ1 and ℎ2 , the general equation may be
reduced to

FOR STOPPING SIGHT DISTANCE

𝐴𝑆 2
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = WHEN S ≤ L
407

407
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 2S -
𝐴 WHEN S ≥ L
For passing sight distance, the height of object used by ASSHTO 2001
and 2011 is 1.080m.Height of eye is assumed 1.080m based on
ASSHTO 2004 and 2011.
Substituting these values for ℎ1 and ℎ2 , the general equation may be
reduced to

FOR PASSING SIGHT DISTANCE

𝐴𝑆 2
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛. = WHEN S ≤ L
864

864
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛. = 2𝑆 −
𝐴
FOR SAG VERTICAL CURVE
 For sag vertical curves, stopping sight distance is based on the distance
illuminated by the headlights at night. Design standards are based on a an
assumed headlight height of 0.60m and upward divergence of the headlight
beam of 𝟏◦ .

FOR SAG VERTICAL CURVES

𝐴𝑆 2 𝐴𝑆 2
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = = WHEN S ≤ L
200 ( 0.60+𝑆(tan 1◦ )) 120+3.5𝑆

200(0.60+𝑆(tan 1)) 120+3.5𝑆

𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛. = 2𝑆 − = 2𝑆 −
𝐴 𝐴

In some cases, sag vertical curves can be sharp to cause discomfort without
violating sight distance standards
COMFORT CRITERION
𝑎 WHERE :
𝑟≤ r = is the rate of change of grade
𝑣2
a = maximum radial acceleration permitted
v = speed

ASSHTO suggest a value of “ a = 0.3 m/𝑠 2 ” and suggest the standard

Comfort criterion
𝐴𝑉 2
𝐿 ≥
395
WHERE:
L = length of vertical curve, m
A = 𝑔2 - 𝑔1 , percent
V = design speed, km/h
APPEARANCE CRITERION
Minimum vertical curve length of 60 m where grade breaks are less
than 2% or design speed are less than 60 km/h . Where the grade break is
greater than 2% and the design speed is greater than 60 km/h, the
minimum vertical curve length is given by:

Appearance criterion
L = 2V

WHERE:
L = the minimum vertical curve length in meters
V = the design speed
EXAMPLE

Determine the minimum length of crest vertical

curve between a +0.5% grade and a -1.0% grade for a road
with a 100 km/h design speed. The vertical curve must
provide 190m stopping sight distance and meet the
appearance criterion. Round up to the next 20m interval.
Solution

Stopping sight distance criterion

Assume S ≤ L
𝐴𝑠 2 (0.5−(−1.0))(1902 )
L= = = 133.05m
200( ℎ1 + ℎ2 )2 200( 1.080+ 0.15)2

133.05 m < 190m, so S>L

407 407
L = 2S - 𝐴
= 2 190 − 0.5− −1.0 = 108.67m

APPEARNCE CRITERION
Design speed = 100km/h > 60km/h but grade break = 1.5% < 2%. Use 60m

Conclusion
Sight distance governs. Use 120m length of vertical curve
Example

Determine the minimum length of a sag vertical curve between

a -0.7% and a +0.5% grade for a road with a 110 km/h design speed.
The vertical curve must provide 220m stopping sight distance and
meet the appearance criterion , and the AASHTO comfort standard.
Round up to the next 20m interval.
SOLUTION

Stopping sight distance criterion

Assume S ≤ L
𝐴𝑆 2 (0.5− −0.7 )(2202 )
L = = = 65.3m
120+3.5𝑆 120+3.5(220)

65.3m < 220m, so S>L

120+3.5𝑆 120+3.5(220)
L = 2S - = = -301.7m
𝐴 0.5−(−0.7)
Since L < 0 , no vertical curve is needed to provide stopping sight distance
COMFORT CRITERION

𝐴𝑉 2 (0.5− −0.7 )(1102 )

L= = = 36.8m
395 395

APPEARANCE CRITERION

Design speed = 110 km/h > 60km/h

Grade break = 1.2% < 2%
Use 60m
Conclusion
Appearance criterion governs. Use 60m length of curve
 Vertical curve lengths may be limited by the need to provide clearances
over or under objects such as overpasses or drainage structures.

• In the case of sag vertical curves passing over objects or crest vertical curves
passing under them, the required clearances establish minimum lenghts

• In the case of crest vertical curves passing over objects or sags vertical curves
passing under them, the required clearances establish maximum lenghts

• Where clearances limit vertical curve length, adequate sight distance should
still be provided.
LENGTH OF VERTICAL CURVE PASSING
THRU THE CRITICAL POINT
Calculation of lengths of vertical curves constrained by clearances

Let : c = critical clearance

z = horizontal distance from PI to the critical point
y’ = offset between the critical point and the tangent passing through the BVC
𝑟𝑥 2
y’ =
2
𝑔2 −𝑔1 𝐴
r = =
𝐿 𝐿
 𝐿
𝐴( +𝑍)2 𝐿
y’ = 2
; X= +Z
2𝐿 2

EXAMPLE

A vertical curve joins a -1.2% grade to a +0.8% grade. The PI of the

vertical curve is at station 75+000 and elevation 50.90m above sea level. The
centerline of the roadway must clear a pipe located at station 75+040 by 0.80 m
.The elevation of the top of the pipe is 51.10m above sea level. What is the
minimum length of the vertical curve that can be used?
Solution
Z = (75+040) - (75+000) = 40m

Determine y’ :

Elevation of tangent = 50.90m + (-1.20%)(40m) = 50.42m

Elevation of roadway = 51.10 m + 0.80m = 51.90m
y’ = Elev. Of roadway – Elev. Of tangent
y’ = 51.90m – 50.42m = 1.48m
Determine L;

𝐿
𝐴( +𝑍)2
y’ = 2
2𝐿

𝐿
(0.8− −1.2 )( +40)2
1.48m = 2
100(2𝐿)
𝐿2
0.20( 4 +40𝐿+1600)
1.48m =
2𝐿
2.96m = 0.005𝐿2 + 0.8L +32
0 = 0.005𝐿2 - 2.16 L +32
+
−(−2.16)− (−2.16)2 −4(0.005)(32)
L =
2(0.005)
L = 416.6m or 417m
= 15.4m
So L = 417m