1.
D
e
t
e
rmine the minimum vertical curve length necessary for a +1.4 percent grade that intersects a -3.5 percent
grade for a design speed of 60 mph.
You must use the vertical curve equations for SSD>L and SSD<L to
solve this problem.
Sketch the curve; be sure to label the PVC, PVI, and PVT.
Is this a sag or crest curve?
2.
Calculate the stopping sight distance over the crest of a 1,500-ft vertical curve with a plus grade of 4.4 percent
and a minus grade of 2.3 percent.
3.
Calculate the stopping sight distance over the crest of a 450-m vertical curve with a plus grade of 5.6 percent
and a minus grade of 3.2 percent.
4.
A +5.1 percent grade intersects a -2.8 percent grade at station 68+70 at an elevation of 327.50 ft.
Calculate
the centerline elevations for every even 100-ft station for a 500-ft vertical curve.
5.
A +2.8 percent grade intersects a -5.1 percent grade at station 2+087.224 at an elevation of 190.290 m.
Calculate the centerline elevations at every 20-m station for a 150-m vertical curve.
6.
A +4.2 percent grade intersects a -3.1 percent grade at station 52+41.34 (i.e. the PVI station) at an elevation of
327.50 ft (i.e. the PVI elevation).
The curve is 650 ft long.
Calculate the centerline elevations for every 100-
ft station (i.e. 51+00, 52+00, 53+00, etc.).
Calculate the station and centerline elevations for the PVC, PVT,
and low/high point on the curve.
Sketch the curve; be sure to label the PVC, PVI, and PVT.
Is this a sag or
crest curve?
7.
A vertical parabolic curve is to be used as a sag curve, and it is desired to know the location and elevation of
the low point.
The curve is 750 ft long, and the minus grade of 3.6 percent intersects a plus grade of 6.2
percent at station 240+80.00.
Calculate the low point of the curve if the intersection at station 240+80.00 is at
elevation 426.84.
Fall 2023 – Transportation Planning & Design
Vertical Curves Practice Problems
Due: Wednesday, Nov 15
th
, Online Submittal
