Stopping sight distance adequacy assessment on freeways: the case of left horizontal curves over crest vertical curves

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Abstract

This paper investigates potential Stopping Sight Distance (SSD) violation on divided highways at left horizontal curves overlapped with crest vertical curves. The authors previously developed a SSD control methodology that relates the 3D configuration to the dynamics of a vehicle moving along the roadway. This methodology is applied for the assessment of critical design parameters related to both demanded and available SSD values. Initially, utilizing control geometric and driver – obstacle values adopted by AASHTO 2011 design policy, SSD inadequacy areas were revealed. Subsequently, on the basis of an explanatory modeling approach for a number of geometry parameters, evaluation of SSD sufficiency was carried out in terms of the probability of SSD inadequacy and the prediction of the object height in order to grant SSD adequacy (amended object height). These models may be useful to researchers and practitioners aiming to evaluate the interaction of the utilized design parameters in terms of SSD inadequacy.