SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

MODULE-87C

MODULE-87C
Highway Planning, Geometric Design of highways
________________________________________________________
1.

The ruling minimum radius of horizontal curve of a national highway in

plain terrain for a ruling design speed of 100 km/hour with e = 0.07 and
f = 0.15 is close to
(A) 250 m (B) 360 m
(C) 36 m

(D) 300 m

Ans:

2.

Design rate of super elevation for horizontal highway curve of radius

450 m for a mixed traffic condition, having a speed of 125 km/hour is
(A) 1.0

(B) 0.05

(C) 0.07

(D) 0.154

Ans:

JH ACADEMY

Page 1

SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

3.

MODULE-87C

A valley curve has a descending gradient of 1 in 40 followed by an

ascending gradient of 1 in 50. The length of the valley curve required
for a design speed of 80 km/hour for comfort condition is
(A) 199 m (B) 116 m
(C) 58 m

(D) 37 m

Ans:

4.

A car is moving at a speed of 72 km/hr on a road having 2% upward

gradient. The driver applies brakes when he sees an obstruction. If his
reaction time is 1.5 seconds, assuming that the co-efficient of friction
between the pavement and tyre as 0.15, calculate the distance traversed
before the car finally stops.
(A) 24 m

(B) 150 m

(C) 1056 m (D) 324 m

Ans:
1.5 +

= 149.92 m
5.

Stopping sight distance and frictional co-efficients are

(A) Directly proportional to each other
(B) Inversely proportional to each other
(C) Unrelated
(D) Either directly or inversely proportional to each other depending on
the nature of pavement
Ans: (B)

6.

The design speed for a National Highway is 100 kmph. If the maximum
permissible super elevation is 0.10 and the coefficient of lateral friction
is 0.15, the ruling minimum radius of horizontal curve on the highway
should be
(a)
260 m
(b)
315 m
(c)
380 m
(d)
410 m

JH ACADEMY

Page 2

SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

MODULE-87C

Ans:
e+f=
0.1+0.15=
R = 314.6
7.

The Star and Grid pattern of road network was adopted in

(a) Nagpur Road Plan
(b) Luck now Road Plan
(c) Bombay Road Plan
(d) Delhi Road Plan
Ans: (A)

8.

For a road with camber of 3% and the design speed of 80 km/hr, the
minimum radius of the curve, beyond which NO super elevation is
needed, is
(a) 1680m
(b)
948 m
(c) 406 m
(d)
280 m
Ans:
e+f=
0.03 + 0.15 =

= 280m
9.

The co-efficient of friction in the longitudinal direction of a highway is

estimated as 0.396. The breaking distance for a new car moving at a
speed of 65 km/hr is
(a) 87 m
(b)
45 m
(c) 42 m
(d)
40 m
Ans:
=

= 42m

10. The length of Summit Curve on a two lane two way highway depends
upon
(a) Allowable rate of change of centrifugal acceleration
(b) Coefficient of lateral friction
(c) Required Stopping Sight Distance
(d) Required Overtaking Sight Distance
Ans: (c)
11. A road is having a horizontal curve of 400 m radius on which a superelevation of 0.07 is provided. The coefficient of lateral friction
mobilized on the curve when a vehicle is travelling at 100 kmph is
(a) 0.07
(b)
0.13
(c) 0.15
(d)
0.4

JH ACADEMY

Page 3

SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

MODULE-87C

Ans:
e+f=

0.07 + f =

f = 0.13
12. A vehicle moving at 60 kmph on an ascending gradient of a highway
has to come to stop position to avoid collision with a stationary object.
The ratio of lag to break distance is 6: 5. Considering total reaction time
of the driver as 2.5 seconds and the coefficient of longitudinal friction
as 0.36, the value of ascending gradient (%) is
(a)
3.3
(b)
4.8
(c)
5.3
(d)
6.8
Ans:
Lag =

2.5 = 41.67m

Breaking distance = 41.67 5/6 = 34.72m

= 34.72
= 34.72
n = 0.0479 100 = 4.8

13. At a horizontal curve portion of a 4 lane undivided carriageway, a

transition curve is to be introduced to attain required super elevation.
The design speed is 60 kmph and radius of the curve is 245 m. Assume
length of wheel base of a longest vehicle as 6 m, super elevation rate as
5% and rate of introduction of this super elevation as 1 in 150. The
length of the transition curve (m) required, if the pavement is rotated
about inner edge is.
(a) 81.4
(b)
85.0
(c) 91.5
(d)
110.2
Ans:
=

= eN (
= 0.05

= 0.697m

)
150

(14

0.697)

= 110.2m
14. The extra widening required for a two-lane national highway at a
horizontal curve of 300 m radius ,considering a wheel base of 8 m and a
design speed of 100 kmph is
(a) 0.42 m (b) 0.62 m (c) 0.82 m (d) 0.92 m

JH ACADEMY

Page 4

SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

MODULE-87C

Ans:
=

= 0.82 m
15. While designing a hill road with a ruling gradient of 6%, if a sharp
horizontal curve of 50 m radius is encountered, the compensated
gradient at the curve as per the Indian Roads Congress specifications
should be
(a) 4.4% (b) 4.75% (c) 5.0% (d) 5.25%
Ans:
,
,

(min)

= min(

) = 1.5

6 1.5 = 4.5%
16. The design speed on a road is 60 kmph. Assuming the driver reaction
time of 2.5 seconds and coefficient of friction of pavement surface as
0.35, the required stopping distance for two-way traffic on a single lane
road is
(a) 82.1 m
(b) 102.4 m
(c) 164.2 m
(d) 186.4 m
Ans:
= vt +
= 16.67

60/3.6 = 16.67 m/s

2.5 +

= 82.1m
2 82.1 = 164.2 m
17. A road is provided with a horizontal circular curve having deflection
angle of 55 and centre line radius of 250 m. A transition curve is to be
provided at each end of the circular curve of such a length that the rate
of gain of radial acceleration is 0.3m/s3 at a speed of 50 km per hour.
Length of the transition curve required at each of the ends is
(a) 2.57 m
(b) 33.33 m
(c) 35.73 m (d) 1666.67 m
Ans:

JH ACADEMY

Page 5

SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

MODULE-87C

18. A horizontal circular curve with a Centre line radius of 200 m is

provided on a 2-lane, 2-way SH section. The width of the 2-lane road of
7.0 m. Design speed for this section is 80 km per hour. The brake
reaction time is 2.4 s, and the coefficients of friction in longitudinal and
lateral directions are 0.355 and 0.15, respectively. The safe stopping
sight distance on the section is
(a) 221m (b) 195 m (c) 125m (d) 65 m
Ans:

19. A horizontal circular curve with a Centre line radius of 200 m is

provided on a 2-lane, 2-way SH section. The width of the 2-lane road of
7.0 m. Design speed for this section is 80 km per hour. The brake
reaction time is 2.4 s, and the coefficients of friction in longitudinal and
lateral directions are 0.355 and 0.15, respectively. The safe stopping
sight distance on the section is 125 m. The set-back distance from the
Centre line of the inner lane is
(a) 7.93 m (b) 8.10 m (c) 9.60 m (d) 9.77 m
Ans:

).

20. The value of lateral friction or side friction used in the design of
horizontal curve as per India Roads Congress guidelines is
(a) 0.40 (b) 0.35 (c) 0.24 (d) 0.15
Ans: (D)
21. A rest vertical curve joins two gradients of +3% and -2% for a design
speed of 80km/h and the corresponding stopping sight distance of
120m. The height of driver's eye and the object above the road surface
are 1.20m and 0.15m respectively. The curve length (which is less than
stopping sight distance) to be provided is
(a) 120m (b) 152m (c) 163m (d) 240m
Ans:
L = 2S

S = 120m
N=

H = 1.2

= 0.05
h = 0.15

L = 2 120

JH ACADEMY

= 152 m

Page 6

SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

MODULE-87C

22. Consider the following statements in the context of geometric design of

roads.
I: A simple parabolic curve is an acceptable shape for summit curves
II: Comfort to passengers is an important consideration in the design of
summit curves
The correct option evaluating the above statements and their
relationship is
(a) I is true, II is false
(b) I is true, II is true, and II is the correct reason for I
(c) I is true, II is true and II is NOT the correct reason for I
(d) I is false, II is true
Ans: (A)
23. The design speed for a two-lane road is 80 kmph. When a design
vehicle with a wheel base of 6.6 m is negotiating a horizontal curve on
that road, the off tracking is measured as 0.096 m. The required
widening or carriageway of the two-lane road on the curve is
approximately
(a) 0.55 m
(b) 0.65 m
(c) 0.75 m
(d) 0.85 m
Ans:
= 0.096
= 0.096
R = 226.875m
Widening =

= 0.754m
24. A vehicle negotiates a transition curve with uniform speed v. If the
radius of the horizontal curve and the allowable jerk are Rand J,
respectively, the minimum length of the transition curve is
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Ans:
J = Rate of change of centrifugal acceleration
J=

but t =

J=

or

25. If v is the initial speed of a vehicle, g is the gravitational acceleration,

is the upward longitudinal slope of the road and , is the coefficient of
rolling friction during braking, the braking distance(measured
horizontally) for the vehicle to stop is

JH ACADEMY

Page 7

SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

MODULE-87C

Ans:
m

= [f.mg + mg. G] L

L=
26. Road roughness is measured using
a)
b)
c)
d)

Benkelman beam
Bump integrator
Dynamic cone penetrometer
Falling weight deflectometer

Ans: (B)
27. The following data are related to a horizontal curved portion of a twolane highway: length of curve = 200 m, radius of curve = 300 m and
width of pavement = 7.5 m. In order to provide a stopping sight
distance (SSD) of 80 m, the setback distance (in m) required from the
centre line of the inner lane of the pavement is
(a) 2.54
(b) 4.55
(c) 7.10
(d) 7.96
Ans:
=

= 0.134

Set back = R (R d)
= 4.42 m from centre of Road.
= 4.42

= 2.54 from centre line of inner lane.

28. For a portion of national highway where a descending gradient of 1 in

25 meets with an ascending gradient of 1 in 20, a valley curve needs to
be designed for a vehicle travelling at 90 kmph based on the following
conditions. (i) Headlight sight distance equal to the stopping sight
distance (SSD) of a level terrain considering length of valley curve >
SSD. Assume total reaction time = 2.5 seconds; coefficient of
longitudinal friction of the pavement= 0.35; height of head light of the
vehicle =0.75 m; and beam angle = 1. What is the length of valley
curve (in m) based on the head light sight distance condition?
(a) 309.2

(b) 406.5

(c) 207.1

(d) 324.6

Ans:
L=

S = vt +

v = 90
N=-

= 25 m/s
-

S= 25 2.5+

JH ACADEMY

= -0.09
=153.51m

Page 8

SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

MODULE-87C

L=
=309.2m
29. For a portion of national highway where a descending gradient of 1 in
25 meets with an ascending gradient of 1 in 20, a valley curve needs to
be designed for a vehicle travelling at 90 kmph based on the comfort
condition with allowable rate of change of centrifugal acceleration =
0.5
. Assume total reaction time = 2.5 seconds; coefficient of
longitudinal friction of the pavement= 0.35; height of head light of the
vehicle =0.75 m; and beam angle = 1. What is the length of valley
curve (in m)?
(a) 309.2
(b) 109.07 (c) 207.1 (d) 324.6
Ans:
L = 2(

= 2(

= 109.07 m
30. Consider a driver approaching a hazard at 90
with a PIEV time
of 2.5 sec. the distance traveled during the perception reaction time is
most nearly
a) 30 m
b) 50 m
c) 63 m
d) 250 m
Ans:

31. A driver travelling at 45

sec a stalled car 120 ft ahead. If the
driver applies the breaks immediately (PIEV time =0) and begins
slowing the vehicle at 18
, the distance the vehicle will travel
before stopping, most nearly
a) 90 ft
b) 119 ft
c) 46 ft
d) 180 ft
Ans:
[1 feet=0.3m]
32. Determine the breaking distance for the following situations: (i) a
vehicle moving on a positive 3% grade at an initial speed of 50 kmph,
final speed 20kmph (ii) a vehicle moving on a 3% downhill grade at an
initial speed of 50 kmph, final speed 20 kmph and (iii) a vehicle moving
on a level road at an initial speed of 50 kmph final speed 0
kmph.(iv)Determine the stopping distance for assume co-efficient of
rolling friction to be 0.5 and the perception time to be 2.5s.

JH ACADEMY

Page 9

SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

MODULE-87C

a) 15.68m, 17.57m, 19.67m, 54.39m.

b) 15.58m, 17.57m, 19.67m, 54.39m.
c) 15.58m, 17.67m, 19.67m, 54.39m.
d) 15.58m, 17.57m, 19.77m, 54.39m.
Ans:
i.
(

ii.

iii.
(

iv.
(

( )

33. A vertical curve is required to join a road with +3% grades to a road
with 2.5% grades. The design speed of road is 100 kmph. The VPI is
located at coordinates (1000, 100). Further, the midpoint of an overhead
electric of transmission line of width 5m crosses the road at a distance
of 1100 m so that a SSD of 118m. Determine the length of curve.
a) 430 m
b) 450 m
c) 405 m
d) 350 m
Ans:
Assume S
L= 2S

= 2 180
Actually
L=

= 280m

= 405m.

34. A vertical curve joins a +0.5% grade with a +3.5% grade the VPI is at
co-ordinates (500, 50) from a bench mark points. Due to certain other
traffic flow related considerations, a passing (or overtaking) sight
distance of 470m is required on the curve. Determine the length of
curve Assume design speed of 80 kmph

JH ACADEMY

Page 10

SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

MODULE-87C

a) 430 m
b) 450 m
c) 405 m
d) 343 m
Ans:
N= = 0.035 - 0.005
= 0.03
Assume

= 0.75 and

L= 2S
= 2 470 =343m
35. In designing a vertical curve joining a +2% grade and a -2% grade on a
rural arterial highway, the length of the curve must be limited to 210m
because of topographical and right of way restrictions. Determine the
maximum safe speed on this section of the highway.
a) 30.35 m/s
b) 20.25 m/s
c) 40.25 m/s
d) 15.25 m/s
Ans:

36. Determine the minimum length of a highway crest vertical curve

connecting a + 3.5% grade to a -3.5% grade on a rural interstate
highway if the design speed is 110kmph.
a) 432 m
b) 452 m
c) 827 m
d) 342 m
Ans:
SSD=

2.5+

= 228 m

Assume S<L
=

= 827 m.

37. A horizontal curve has a radius of 237 m. Determine the maximum

permissible speed on the curve (assume e=0.07 and f = 0.15). If the
curve is to be improved to a design speed of 110 kmph, the minimum
radius of curvature is most nearly.

JH ACADEMY

Page 11

SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

MODULE-87C

a) 52 kmph, 453 m
b) 62 kmph, 443 m
c) 72 kmph, 423 m
d) 82 kmph, 433 m
Ans:

38. A crest vertical curve joins a + 2% grade with -2% grade on a section of
highway with a 50 kmph speed. If the PIEV time is 2.5 sec, the
minimum length of curve to provide SSD.
a) 15.62 m
b) 25.62 m
c) 35.62 m
d) 45.65 m
Ans:
(

39. Calculate SSD for V= 50 kmph for (i) two way traffic in a two lane
road (ii) two way traffic in single lane road f=0.37, t=2.5
a) 61.4, 122.8
b) 61.4. 61.4
c) 122.8, 122.8
d) 245.6, 122.8
Ans:
For two way traffic in a two lane road

For two way traffic in single lane road

JH ACADEMY

Page 12

SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

MODULE-87C

40. Find minimum sight distance to avoid head on collision of two cars
approaching at 90 kmph and 60 kmph. Given t=2.5sec f=0.7. and break
efficiency of 50% in either case
a) 432 m
b) 552 m
c) 572 m
d) 236 m
Ans:
(

41. Find SSD for a descending gradient of 2% for V=80kmph

a) 132 m
b) 452 m
c) 272 m
d) 342 m
Ans:

42. Find head light sight distance and intermediate sight distance for
V=65kmph,f=0.36, t=2.5 sec
a) 91.4, 91.4
b) 91.4, 182.8
c) 182.8, 182.8
d) 182.8, 91.4
Ans:

43. Overtaking and overtaken vehicles are at 70 and 40 kmph respectively.

Find (i) OSD (ii) min and desirable length of overtaking zone
a=0.99
a) 191.4, 1080
b) 191.4, 980
c) 278, 1390
d) 182.8, 1260
Ans:

JH ACADEMY

Page 13

SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

MODULE-87C

=110.46m

44. Find an extra widening for W=7m, R=250m, longest wheel base
7m, v=70kmph.
a) 0.662
b) 0.876
c) 0.894
d) 0.567

Ans:

45. The design value of lateral friction co-efficient on highway is

a) 0.15 b) 0.50 c) 0.35 d) 1.5
Ans: (a)
46. Camber on high way pavement is provide to care of
a) Centrifugal force
b) Drainage
c) Sight distance
d) Off-tracing
Ans: (b)
47. A valley curve has a descending gradient of 1 in 40 followed by an
ascending of 1 in 50. The length of valley curve required for a design
speed of 80 km/hr for comfort conditions.
a) 199 m
b) 116 m
c) 58 m
d) 37 m
Ans:

(
(

JH ACADEMY

Page 14

SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

MODULE-87C

48. The speeds of overtaking and overtaken on a highway are 85 kmph and
70kmph respectively. Calculate the overtaking sight needed for two
way traffic. Assume the acceleration of the overtaking vehicle as 2.5
kmph/sec and speed of vehicle in opposite direction is 85 kmph.
a) 657
b) 768
c) 536
d) 346
Ans:

=245.86m

49. Width of carriage way for a single lane is recommended to

a) 7.5
b) 7.0
c) 3.75

d) 5.5

Ans: (c)
50. Stopping sight distance is the minimum distance available on a highway
which is the
a) Distance of sufficient length to stop the vehicle without coliseum
b) Distance visible to a driver during night driving
c) Height of object above the road surface
d) Distance equal to the height of drivers eye above the road surface
Ans: (a)
51. The ruling minimum radius of horizontal curve of a NH in plain terrain
for a ruling design speed of 100 kmph with e =0.07 and f = 0.15 is close
to
a)
250 m
b)
360 m
c)
36 m
d)
300m
Ans:
e+f=

R=

= 357m

52. Design rate of super elevation for horizontal highway curve of radius
450 m for a mixed traffic condition, having a speed of 125 kmph is
a)
1.0
b)
0.05
c)
0.07
d)
0.154

JH ACADEMY

Page 15

SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

MODULE-87C

Ans:
=

= 0.27

e = 0.27-0.15=0.12
But e=0.07 (max)
53. An ascending gradient of 1 in 45 meets a descending gradient of 1 in
60. A summit curve has to be designed for design speed o 80 kmph so
as to provide a safe over taking sight distance of 230 m. estimate the
length of summit curve.
a) 212.5
b) 182.8
c) 312.6
d) 123.7
Ans:
Let L > OSD
N=
L=

+
(

= 0.0388
)

S = 230 m
H=h=1.2m
=

= 214m

L<OSD
L=2S -

= 2 230

)
(

= 212.5m

54. The relationship between the length and radius of an ideal transition
curve is given by
a)
b)
c)
d)
Ans: (c)
55. An a two-lane two-way highway a car A was following a truck B and
both were travelling at a speed of 40kmph. While looking for an
opportunity to overtake the truck, the driver of the car A saw another
car C coming from the opposite direction. After an initial hesitation
period of 2 sec, the driver of car A started the overtaking operation. The
distance between A&B at that instant was 30 m. A overtook B by
accelerating at uniform rate of 1.2m/
. When the overtaking
operation determine the distance between A&C at the instance of
completion of overtaking action. Design speed of highway 80kmph.
a) 45
b) 123
c) 54
d) 324

JH ACADEMY

Page 16

SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

MODULE-87C

Ans:
OSD = ( )

2 + 30 +

30 +

T+ 25 =

9.57 + 25 +
T+

T=

9.57 = 396m

= 9.57

Distance between A and C is 450-396 = 54m

56. At highway stretches where the required overtaking sight distance

cannot be provided, it is necessary to incorporate in such section the
following.
a)
At least twice the SSD
b)
Half the OSD
c)
One third OSD
d)
3 times SSD
Ans: (a)
57. For a highway with design speed of 100 kmph. The safe overtaking
sight distance is (a = 0.53 m/
)
a)
300 m
b)
750 m
c)
320 m
d)
470 m
Ans:
v=

= 27.77 m/s

= v 4.5 = 23.27 m/s

S = 0.7 + 6 = 22.29m
T=

23.27 2 + 2
=753m

= 12.97 sec
22.29 + 23.27

12.97 + 27.77

12.97

58. There is a horizontal curve of Radios 360 m. and length 180 m.

Calculate the clearance required from the centre line on inner side of
curve so as to provide an OSD of 250 m.
a) 21
b) 18
c) 31
d) 61
Ans:
=

= 0.

RR

361 360

0.877 + (

JH ACADEMY

.sin
0.48 = 61m

Page 17

SUB: TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

MODULE-87C

59. Value of the camber recommended for CC roads in areas of heavy

rainfall is
a) 1 in 25
b) 1 in 33
c) 1 in 40
d) 1 in 50
Ans: (d)
60. The reaction time for calculating SSD may be assumed as
a)
5 sec
b)
2.5 sec
c)
0.5 sec
d)
10.0 sec
Ans: (b)
61. The super elevation needed for a vehicle travelling at a speed of 60
kmph on curve of radios 128 m on a surface with a co-efficient of
friction 0.15 is
a)
0.071
b)
0.15
c)
0.22
d)
0
Ans:
e+f=

e= 0.071

62. If an ascending gradient of 1 in 50 meters another ascending gradient 1

in 30 then deviation angle is
a)
b)
c)
d)
Ans:
=

JH ACADEMY

Page 18