The adopted 2-D SSD (stopping sight distance) adequacy investigation in current design practice may lead to design deficiencies due to inaccurate calculation of the available sight distance. Although this concern has been identified by many research studies in the past, none of them suggested a comprehensive methodology to simulate from a 3-D perspective concurrently both the cross-section design and the vehicle dynamics in space during emergency braking conditions. The proposed methodology can accurately perform SSD adequacy investigation in any 3-D road environment where the ground, road and roadside elements are inserted by identifying areas of interrupted vision lines between driver and obstacle being less than the required distance necessary to bring the vehicle to a stop condition. The present approach provides flexibility among every road design and/or vehicle dynamic parameter inserted, as well as direct overview regarding design elements that restrict the driver's vision and create SSD inadequacies. As a result, precious guidance is provided to the designer for further alignment improvement but mostly an accurate aid to implement geometric design control criteria with respect to both existing as well as new road sections is delivered. The efficiency of the suggested methodology is demonstrated through a case study.
REF modified the Available Sight Distance calculation to obtain the Stopping Sight Distance.
Analytical Method for 3-D Stopping Sight Distance Adequacy Investigation
Journal of civil engineering and architecture
Engineering