Tyler Camack

Polynomial In the Real World: Vertical Curve Calculation

A polynomial is used when a road is being created. They are used in civil engineering when
designing a curve on a road. On a curve there is something called a vertical point of curvature
(PVC) and something called the vertical point of tangency (PVT) (Ve). In the diagram above L
is the length between the PVC and the PVT. The PVI is located at the horizontal point of L/2.
The PVI is the vertical point of Intersect. The PVC and PVT are the points along the roadway
where the vertical curve begins and ends (Ve). The PVT serves as the end of the vertical curve
and is located at the point where the vertical curve connects with the departing roadway segment
(Ve). Studies are currently being conducted to determine the most fuel efficient curve that can
be created via polynomials (Ko).

The equation used is as follows:

y = roadway elevation at distance x from the beginning of the vertical curve in ft (m)
x = distance from the beginning of the vertical curve in stations or ft (m)
c = elevation of the point of vertical curvature (PVC) in ft (m),
= initial roadway grade in percent, it is as referred as the initial tangent grade
= final roadway (tangent) grade in percent.



Works Cited:
Ko, Myunghoon, Dominique Lord, and Josias Zietsman. "Environmentally Conscious Highway Design for
Crest Vertical Curves - Transport Research International Documentation -
TRID." Environmentally Conscious Highway Design for Crest Vertical Curves - Transport Research
International Documentation - TRID., 2012. Web. 02 May 2014.

"Vertical Curve Calculation." Appendix Vertical Curve Calculations. Web. 02 May 2014.