Highway Engineering

BASIC CHARACTERISTIC ROAD SYSTEMS

C3010 / UNIT 11

UNIT 11

BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A ROAD SYSTEM

( Part 1)

OBJECTIVES
General Objective
To understand the basic characteristic of a road system.

Specific Objectives
At the end of the unit you should be able to : state the characteristics that will influence the system. identify the related factors of the system. describe the importance characteristics of drivers.

Highway Engineering

BASIC CHARACTERISTIC ROAD SYSTEMS

C3010 / UNIT 11

INPUT BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A ROAD SYSTEM

11.0 INTRODUCTION A Road Design includes Geometry and Pavement Design. These designs are require in providing information on traffic flow. The highway engineer must design for a wide range of vehicle operating characteristics and allow for great differences in driver and pedestrian characteristics. Most highway facilities must be designed to accommodate the smallest subcompact automobile as well as the largest tractor-trailer truck. In may instances, the design must also accommodate motorcycle and bicycle users and pedestrians. It should be remembered that within each class of users there is great variability; differences in vehicle sizes, weights, and operating characteristic ability to comprehend and react to highway features and traffic events. 11.1 ROAD SYSTEM CHARACTERISTIC There are several characteristics in the road system. 11.1.1 DRIVERS CHARACTERISTICS Drivers in Malaysia are licensed to drive under laws. The differences about age, skill and experience also can produce some impact to the traffic flow. It is important that highway engineers keep in mind that street and highway facilities must be designed to accommodate driver with

Highway Engineering

BASIC CHARACTERISTIC ROAD SYSTEMS

C3010 / UNIT 11

a wide range of ages and skills, the young and the elderly and the novice as well as the experienced professional. 11.1.2 VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS Vehicle characteristics also influence the traffic flow in any road systems. Vehicles are used for transportation on the road or highway. All types of vehicles have shapes, characteristics and own usage. 11.1.3 TRAFFIC CHARACTERISTIC Traffic characteristic are the most important characteristic in the traffic flow for any road systems. 11.2 IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTIC OF DRIVERS The driver characteristics must be identified initially before a certain geometry design and other related road design is implemented or proceed. The drivers are also considered as the road user. There are several factors that influence drivers, such as physical, environment and psychology factors. 11.3 INFLUENTIAL FACTORS. There are some factors that would influence the characteristics of a driver. 11.3.1 PHYSICAL FACTORS The drivers decisions and actions depend principally on information received through the senses. This information comes to the driver through the eyes, ears, and the sensory nerve ending in the

Highway Engineering

BASIC CHARACTERISTIC ROAD SYSTEMS

C3010 / UNIT 11

muscles, tendon, joints, skin, and organ. In general the order of importance of the senses used by drivers are; 1. Visual ( sight ). 2. Kinesthetic ( movement ). 3. Vestibular ( equilibrium ). 4. Auditory ( hearing ). Driver perception-reaction time is defined as the interval between seeing, feeling or hearing a traffic or highway situation and making initial response to what has been perceived. People generally react more quickly to very strong stimuli than to weak one. 11.3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS Weather and road condition also influence the characteristics of drivers. Most of the drivers will take an extra cautious when the road is wet and the road surface is damaged. This condition will endanger the safety of driver. 11.3.3 PSHYCOLOGICAL FACTORS. New drivers become nervous compare to the experienced drives whenever they are driving in a crowded traffic area. They feel safer driving through a straight road would speed more.

11.4 VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS The standard of road design is influenced by the characteristic of vehicles that used the road. The sizes of motor vehicle influence clearances for bridges,

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BASIC CHARACTERISTIC ROAD SYSTEMS

C3010 / UNIT 11

tunnel, and grade separation structure and the geometric characteristic of streets, roads, and parking facilities. 11.4.1 RESISTANT A vehicles motion tends to be retarded by at least five types of resistance: 1. Inertia resistance. 2. Grade resistance. 3. Rolling resistance. 4. Curve resistance. 5. Air resistance. 11.4.1.1 Inertia resistance.

It will be recalled from the study of physics that inertia is the tendency of a body to resist acceleration; the tendency to remain at rest or to remain in motion in a straight line unless acted upon by some forces. The forces, Fi, required to overcome a vehicles inertia is described by the familiar relationship Fi = ma = W/g a, kg Where m = vehicle mass a = acceleration ( m/s2) W = vehicle weight ( kg ) g = acceleration force due to gravity ( 9.81 m/s2)

Highway Engineering

BASIC CHARACTERISTIC ROAD SYSTEMS

C3010 / UNIT 11

When acting to move a vehicle forward, this force is positive. When the force is slowing or stopping a vehicle, it and the corresponding acceleration (deceleration) are negative.

11.4.1.2

Grade resistance.

Grade resistance is the component of the vehicle weight acting down a frictionless inclined surface. As figure illustrates below, the magnitude of the forces is directly proportional to the gradient. By similar triangles; G /100 = Fg/Fn Fg = FnG/100 = W cos G /100 Where G = gradient ( percent) W = vehicle weight ( kg ) Fg = grade resistance ( kg ) Fn = normal forces ( kg ) For even the steepest highway gradients encountered in practice, cos 1.0. For practical purpose, the gradient resistance is Fg = WG/100 11.4.1.3 Rolling resistance.

A vehicle does not operate on a smooth friction surface. There is resistance to motion as the tires roll over irregularities in

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BASIC CHARACTERISTIC ROAD SYSTEMS

C3010 / UNIT 11

the surface and push through mud, sand or gravel. This resistance, termed rolling resistance, includes that caused by the flexing of the tires and the internal friction of the moving part of the vehicle.

11.4.1.4 Curve resistance As was stated earlier, once a vehicle is set in motion, it tends to remain in motion in a straight line unless acted on by some force. The forces changing the direction of a vehicle are imparted through the front wheels. Components of these forces tend to impede a vehicles forward motion. Curve resistance then is the force required to cause a vehicle to move along a curve path. It is a function of the radius or degree of curvature and the vehicle speed. 11.4.1.5 Air resistance. Air resistance includes the force required to move air from a vehicles pathway as well as the friction effects of air along its top, sides, and undercarriage. It is a function of the frontal crosssectional area of the vehicle and the square of the vehicle speed.

11.5

VEHICLE OPERATING CHARACTERISTIC There are various vehicle-operating aspects that considered for geometry

design purpose. The vehicle-operating characteristics that influence are road geometry design, curves radius, acceleration and braking.

Highway Engineering

BASIC CHARACTERISTIC ROAD SYSTEMS

C3010 / UNIT 11

11.6

ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION A motor vehicle move according to fundamental laws of motion;

relationships between distance, time, velocity and uniform acceleration are given by the following equation: Vf = vo + at D = vot + at2 V2f = v2o + 2ad Where vf = final velocity ( m/s ) vo = initial velocity ( m/s ) a = acceleration or deceleration t = time ( sec ) d = distance ( m ). Maximum acceleration rates vary with the size of the vehicle and its operating speed. Vehicles are capable of greatest acceleration at lowest speeds. From a standing start to a speed of 15 mph, maximum acceleration value range from about 2 mph/sec for tactor-semitrailer trucks up to about 10 mph/sec for large cars. For a speed change of 0 to 30 mph, typical maximum acceleration are for tractor semitrailer truck 4.57 m/s2, for large car 3.14 m/s2 and for small high performance sports car 4.33 m/s2. Without braking, a vehicle will decelerate when the driver release the accelerator due to the drag of the engine, air resistance, grade resistance and so forth. A passenger car operating in the range of 50 to 60 mph will decelerate about 0.91 m/s2 without braking; in the range of 20 to 30 mph, and automobile will decelerate about 0.46 m/s2.

Highway Engineering

BASIC CHARACTERISTIC ROAD SYSTEMS

C3010 / UNIT 11

Under normal braking conditions, the levels of deceleration developed usually do not reach the limit of vehicles braking capability nor that of the pavement-tire interface. The deceleration may be limited by either the condition of the brakes or that of the tires and roadway surface. In panic situations, most drivers tend to apply the brakes to the extent that a locked wheel skid develops, even though a greater frictional force is developed before skidding occurs.

Highway Engineering

BASIC CHARACTERISTIC ROAD SYSTEMS

C3010 / UNIT 11

ACTIVITY 11

TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING BEFORE YOU CONTINUE WITH THE NEXT INPUT

Question
1. The motion of the vehicle tends to be retarded by at least five types of resistance. State the type of vehicles resistance. 2. Describe the grade resistance. 3. This formula is to determine acceleration or deceleration velocity. Find the meaning of this formula, V2f = v2o + 2ad Where; V2f = _____________________ v2o = _____________________ a = _____________________ d = ______________________

Highway Engineering

BASIC CHARACTERISTIC ROAD SYSTEMS

C3010 / UNIT 11

FEEDBACK ON ACTIVITY 11
Answer
1.

A vehicles motion tends to be retarded by at least five types of resistance: i. Inertia resistance. ii. Grade resistance. iii. Rolling resistance. iv. Curve resistance. v. Air resistance.

2.

Grade resistance is the component of the vehicle weight acting down a frictionless inclined surface. As figure illustrates below, the magnitude of the forces is directly proportional to the gradient. By similar triangles; G /100 = Fg/Fn Fg = FnG/100 = W cos G /100 Where G = gradient ( percent) W = vehicle weight ( kg ) Fg = grade resistance ( kg ) Fn = normal forces ( kg ) For even the steepest highway gradients encountered in practice, cos 1.0.

Highway Engineering

BASIC CHARACTERISTIC ROAD SYSTEMS

C3010 / UNIT 11

For practical purpose, the gradient resistance is Fg = WG/100

3. Where

V2f = v2o + 2ad

vf = final velocity ( m/s ) vo = initial velocity ( m/s ) a = acceleration or deceleration t = time ( sec ) d = distance ( m ).

Highway Engineering

BASIC CHARACTERISTIC ROAD SYSTEMS

C3010 / UNIT 11

Question
Describe briefly the factors that would influence the characteristics of a driver. Describe the following aspects: a. Curve resistance. b. Air resistance

Highway Engineering

BASIC CHARACTERISTIC ROAD SYSTEMS

C3010 / UNIT 11

Answer
1. There are some factors that would influence the characteristics of a driver. PHYSICAL FACTORS The drivers decisions and actions depend principally on information received through the senses. This information comes to the driver through the eyes, ears, and the sensory nerve ending in the muscles, tendon, joints, skin, and organ. In general the order of importance of the senses used by drivers are; a. Visual ( sight ). b. Kinesthetic ( movement ). c. Vestibular ( equilibrium ). d. Auditory ( hearing ). Driver perception-reaction time is defined as the interval between seeing, feeling or hearing a traffic or highway situation and making initial response to what has been perceived. People generally react more quickly to very strong stimuli than to weak one.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Highway Engineering

BASIC CHARACTERISTIC ROAD SYSTEMS

C3010 / UNIT 11

Weather and road condition also influence the characteristics of drivers. Most of the drivers will take an extra cautious when the road is wet and the road surface is damaged. This condition will endanger the safety of driver. PSHYCOLOGICAL FACTORS. New drivers become nervous compare to the experienced drives whenever they are driving in a crowded traffic area. They feel safer driving through a straight road would speed more. 2. Curve resistance As was stated earlier, once a vehicle is set in motion, it tends to remain in motion in a straight line unless acted on by some force. The forces changing the direction of a vehicle are imparted through the front wheels. Components of these forces tend to impede a vehicles forward motion. Curve resistance then is the force required to cause a vehicle to move along a curve path. It is a function of the radius or degree of curvature and the vehicle speed. Air resistance. Air resistance includes the force required to move air from a vehicles pathway as well as the friction effects of air along its top, sides, and undercarriage. It is a function of the frontal crosssectional area of the vehicle and the square of the vehicle speed.