CE 353

PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING

2019-2020 FALL SEMESTER
PROBLEM SET-1
1) On a topographic map with scale of 1/10000 and contour intervals of 5 m., the zero line of a certain
highway section is to be drawn with minimum gradient due to drainage requirements. What should
be the divider opening?

2) What should be the speed of a vehicle to stop before hitting the object 100 m ahead on its roadway?

Given : road adhesion (μ) = 0.66, break efficiency (ηb) = 0.57, grade (G) = -5.0%, tr= 2s)
Note : use practical brake distance

3) An engineering student is driving on a level roadway and sees a construction sign 185 m ahead in
the middle of roadway. The student strikes the sign at a speed of 55 km/h and stops 30 m after the
sign. If the student was travelling at 90 km/h when the sign was first spotted, what was the student’s
reaction time?

4) A driver is travelling at 90 km/hr on a poor and dry road. An object is spotted on the road 140 m
ahead and the driver is able to come to a stop just before hitting the object. Assuming theoretical
stopping distance, determine the grade of the road.

Given: tr= 2.5 s, road adhesion-shoulder (μ) = 0.80, break efficiency (ηb) = 0.50, mass factor = 1.04)

5) A test car furnished with antilock braking system stops at 88 m distance when brakes are applied at
100 km/h speed while travelling down a 3 % grade on a test track with poor, wet pavement. During
one of the tests at the same speed, the test car impacted an object at 100 m distance from the point of
brake application on the same test track. The investigators found out that the antilock brake system
failed 60 m after the brakes had been applied.
What speed was the car travelling at just before it impacted the object?
Notes:
i. Assume theoretical braking distance
ii. coefficient of road adhesion (maximum) = 0.60,
iii. coefficient of road adhesion (sliding) = 0.30,
iv. coefficient of rolling resistance = 0.015,
v. mass factor = 1.04

ANSWER SHEET

Q1 DO= 1 cm
Using practical braking distance formula taking into account reaction distance (tr x V)
Q2
V=19.69 m/s= 70.89 km/h
Q3 tr=5.3868 sec
Q4 G=1.48%
Q5 nb=0.8 , V2=15.67 m/s= 56.41 km/h , Vh= 8.86 m/s= 31.9 km/h

1
 CE 353
PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING
2020-2021 FALL SEMESTER
PROBLEM SET-2

1) A horizontal curve is designed with 610 m radius. The curve has a tangent length of 120 m and PI is
at station 3+140. Determine the intersection angle (∆) and true St. Km. of PT.

2) For the given data, find the radii R1 and R2, and true station kilometer of point B.

∆1 = 30º PT1 – PC2= 80 m R2 = 2R1 [Link]. A: 0 + 000.00

∆2 = 40º PT2 – PC3= 90 m R3 = 200 m [Link]. PI1: 3 + 048.00
∆3 = 25º PT3 – B= 100 m [Link]. PI2: 3 + 349.40

PI1 PI3
∆1 ∆3

A ∆2 B
PI2

3) For the given polygonal station kilometers and intersection angles, calculate the true station
kilometers of PC1, PT1, PC2, PT2 and B.

1
4) For the below horizontal curve the design speed (Vd) is 90 km/hr and the radius of curve is 380 m.
a) determine true St. Km. of PC and PT.
b) control whether the curve is safe or not for superelevation application.

Note: Take emax=8 % and use Method 1.

ANSWER SHEET

Q1 ∆ = 22.260, [Link] = 3+256.99

Q2 R1=225 m, R2= 450 m, T. St. Km B = 3+777.04
T. St. Km PC1= 0+094.45, T. St. Km PT1= 0+290.80, T. St. Km PC2= 0+359.85, T. St. Km PT2=
Q3
0+464.57, T. St. Km B= 0+562.97
a) T. St. Km PC= 0+872.85, T. St. Km PT=1+118.24
Q4
b) em = 6.4 % < emax = 8 % ; so It is safe.

2
 CE 353
PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING
2020-2021 FALL SEMESTER
PROBLEM SET – 3

1) For the below horizontal curve the design speed is 90 km/hr and the radius of curve is 380 m. Find
the superelavation at St. Km. 1+110.00.
Notes: 1- Sr=1/213, w=4m, emax=8
2- Use Method 1 of for superelevation application and apply Turkish practice for locating Ls
distance.

2) Design of horizontal alignment given below is to be completed for 80 km/h design speed. The design
maximum superelevation (emax) is 6.0% and the maximum superelevation of the second curve (em2)
is also 6.0%. Select a suitable radius for R2 and then determine the radius of first curve (R1) to satisfy
the given conditions.

Note: Take |PT1-PC2|=100m, w=3.6m, Sr=1/200, use Method 5.

1
3)

(Polygonal)

R2=225m

-2% -2%
(Polygonal)

Given the above horizontal alignment and the crowned cross section (A-A) on alignment;
a) Find the true station kilometers of PC1, PT1, PC2 and PT2.
b) For the reverse curves, carry out superelevation calculations for the design speed of 70 km/h by
applying rotation around centerline (take w=4m, Sr=1/182 and apply Turkish practice for locating
Ls distance, use Method 2 of AASHTO).
Notes: emax = 8%

4) For a right turning horizontal curve of a 2-lane highway, superelevation is to be applied by rotating
around center line for design speed (Vd) of 80 km/h. (take Sr=1/200, w=5m, emax=8)
The normal cross-section on the tangent is shown below.

If the radius of the curve is 275 m radius

a. Find maximum superelevation em that can be applicable and Ls distance.
b. Draw the superelevation diagram by rotating around center line and tabulate superelevation data
by using 10-meter station intervals.
c. Draw the cross-section at PC point.

Note: Use Method 5.

2
5) The horizontal curve shown below was designed for 90 km/h design speed (Vd). The maximum
superelevation (em) was calculated as 8%. Find:
a) Find transition length (Ls) by applying slope ratio of 1/213. (Use rounded Ls values, i.e. if Ls is
calculated as 47.00 m then take Ls = 50 m)
b) Determine minimum safe curve radius according to Method 5 of AASHTO. (The design
maximum superelevation: emax=8%)
c) Draw superelevation diagram by rotating around center line (Apply Turkish Standards).
d) Prepare superelevation table by using 10-meter station intervals.
e) Draw cross sections at every 10 m.

e0 = 1.5 %
-1.5%

6) For the horizontal curve and the original cross-section of a two lane highway shown below, the
following data is given:

- Radius (R) = 150 m

- Intersection angle () = 35o
- Design Speed (Vd) = 60 km/h
- Stopping Sight Distance (Ss) = 72.26 m
- Slope ratio (Sr) = 1/167
- Design maximum superelevation (emax) = 8%

Find;
a) T, L, E, M lengths of the curve
b) Determine the maximum superelevation (em) and transition length (Ls) for rotation around
centerline.
c) Tabulate superelevation data by using 10 m station intervals starting from the start Ls point.
d) Draw superelevation diagrams by rotating the roadway around the center line and inner edge (lane
width = 5 m)
Note: Apply Turkish practice rule for Ls layout and use Method 1.

3
7)

R1=330m R2=380m

If the design speed is 70 km/h;

a) What should be the minimum value of PT1-PC2 distance so that superelevation application for
both curves will be provided by applying 1/182 slope ratio (emax= 8 % and apply Turkish practice
for locating Ls distance)
b) Determine the true station kilometers of PC1, PT1, PC2 and PT2 for the condition in part (a).
Note: Use AASHTO method 5.

8) For a given horizontal curve of a two-lane highway, superelevation is applied by rotating around
center line. The equation of the relative elevation of outer edge with respect to centerline elevation
is given by
y= -0.08+0.008x
where, y is the relative elevation of outer edge with respect to centerline and x is the distance along
Lt and Ls measured from the beginning of Lt. distance
If the design speed is 80 km/hr, the original crown slopes are -2% for both lanes and Ls=40m, using
Method 5 of AASHTO,
a) Find maximum superelevation
b) Find lane width
c) Draw superelevation diagram

9) An upgradient of 2.5% meets a downgradient of 2% at station kilometer 10+834.26 and at elevation

of 64.46 m. The length of vertical curve is 140 m. Calculate;
a) Elevations on the curve at even 25 m. St. Km.s
b) Elevations on the curve at every 25 m. St. Km.s
c) Elevations on the curve 25 m. from PVC and PVT
d) St. Km. and elevation of the highest point on the curve.

10) For a sag vertical connecting -2.4 % downgrade and G2 = 4.8% upgrade, the minimum curve length
calculated according to rider’s comfort criteria is used as the design curve length.

If the mid-curve offset distance for this curve is 1.26 m, find:

a) Design speed
b) The offset distances for every 20m starting from PVC.

11) Calculate at every 20 meters, station km.’s, offset distances and curve elevations of a sag type
vertical curve if the following data is given:
L=160m
Elev. PVI = 422.18 m
St. Km. PVI = 4+246.18
G1 = -3 %
G2 = 2 %

4
12) What should be the minimum length of crest vertical curve for the given data below, if passing is
not allowed ?
(Consider upper limits for sight distances)

G 1 = -4 %
G 2 = -7 %
Vdesign = 80 km/hr

13) Consider a parabolic curve on a 2-lane highway with following properties

L= 180m
G1 = 2 %
G 2 = -3 %
St. Km. PVI = 3+700
Elev. PVI = 45.6 m

Find the station kilometer and the elevation of the point on the curve which has -2 % grade.

14) On a vertical curve, elevations of PVC, PVI and PVT are given as 285 m, 280.5 m and 288 m
respectively. Taking the length of the curve as 300 m and St. Km. PVC as 3+500.00,
a) Find G1 and G2 grades
b) Sketch the vertical curve
c) Find the available sight distance for this curve.
d) Compute curve elevations, offset distances, and St. Km.’s at every 60 m starting from
both ends (i.e. from PVC and PVT)

15) [Link]. PVI= 3+200.00

PVI

Elev. PVI= 348 m

L=400 m
PVC 1 PVT

In a parabolic type of a crest vertical curve as shown above, the curve elevation at [Link]. 3+050
(point 1) is given as 343.28 m. If the mid-curve offset (Ym) is 3.5m, find;

a) the slopes G1 and G2,

b) the St. Km. and elevation of highest point on the curve.
c) the St. Km. of a second point on the curve having the same elevation with point 1, i.e, 343.28m.
d) If the sight distances for design speed are given as:
Stopping sight distance (SSD) = 110m
Passing sight distance (PSD) = 550m
Investigate if stopping whether these sight distances are provided or not with the existing curve
elements.

5
 ANSWER KEY

Q1) Ls=54.47 m, Lt=8.51 m, superelevation at 1+110.00 = 5.23 %

252 ≤ R2 ≤315  taking R2=300 m, T2= 198.57 m,
Q2)
T1= 150.61 m  R1= 392.35 m,
a) T. St. km PC1= 1+177.21, T. St. km PT1= 1+316.84, T. St. km PC2= 2+173.11, T. St.
Q3) km PT2= 2+310.56
b) em,1= 4.3 %, Ls1=31.23 m, Lt1= 14.53 m, em,2=2.2 %, Ls2=15.64 m, Lt2=14.22 m
a) em= 7.8 %, Ls=78 m Distance, b)
Point x (m) OE (%) IE (%)
Start Ls 0 0,00 -2,00
10 1,00 -2,00
20 2,00 -2,00
30 3,00 -3,00
Q4) 40 4,00 -4,00
50 5,00 -5,00
PC 52 5,20 -5,20
60 6,00 -6,00
70 7,00 -7,00
End Ls 78 7,80 -7,80

a) Ls=62 m Distance
b) Rmin = 304 m
c) Lt=11.63 m Point x(m) OE (%) IE (%)
d) Start Lt 0.00 -1.50 -1.50
10.00 -0.21 -1.50
Start
Ls/End Lt 11.63 0.00 -1.50
20.00 1.08 -1.50
Q5) 23.26 -1.50 -1.50
30.00 2.37 -2.37
40.00 3.65 -3.65
50.00 4.95 -4.95
PC 52.96 5.28 -5.28
60.00 6.24 -6.24
70.00 7.53 -7.53
End Ls 73.63 8.00 -8.00

6
 e)

a) T= 47.29 m, L=91.63 m, E= 7.28 m, M=6.94 m

b) em= 6 %, Ls= 50.1 m, Lt= 16.7 m
c)
d)

Q6)

7
 a) L1= 345.58 m, T1= 190.53 m, L2= 497.52 m, T2=291.58 m,
Ls1= 41.89 m, Lt1=13.09 m, Ls2=39.27 m, Lt2=13.09 m, min|PT1-PC2|=54.11 m
Q7)
b) T. St. km PC1= 1+309.47, T. St. km PT1= 1+655.05, T. St. km PC2= 1+709.16, T. St. km
PT2= 2+206.58
b) em=8%
Q8)
c) w= 4 m
A= 4.5 %
St. Km. PVC=10+764.26 Elv. PVC=62.71m
St. Km. PVT=10+904.26 Elv. PVT=63.06m

y= -0.000161x2+0.025x+62.71

a) Elevations on the curve at even 25 m. St. Km.s

St. Km x(m) y
10+764.26 (St. Km. PVC) 0 62.71
10+775.00 10.74 62.96
Q9)
10+800.00 35.74 63.39
10+825.00 60.74 63.64
10+850.00 85.74 63.67
10+875.00 110.74 63.51
10+900.00 135.74 63.14
10+904.26 (St. Km. PVT) 140.00 63.05

b) Elevations on the curve at every 25 m. St. Km.s

St. Km x(m) y

8
 10+764.26 (St. Km. PVC) 0 62.71
10+789.26 25 63.23
10+814.26 50 63.56
10+839.26 75 63.68
10+864.26 100 63.60
10+889.26 125 63.32
10+904.26 (St. Km. PVT) 140 63.05

c) Elevations on the curve 25 m. from PVC and PVT 10+764.26 +25.00= 10+789.26 (1st
point after PVC)
10+904.26 -25.00= 10+879.26 (1st point before PVT)

St. Km x(m) y
10+764.26 (St. Km. PVC) 0 62.71
10+789.26 25 63.23
10+879.26 115 63.46
10+904.26 (St. Km. PVT) 140 63.05

d) xh=77.78m St. Km. of highest point = 10 + 842.04 and its elevation is = 63.68 m

a) A=7.2, L=140m, V= 87.64 km/hr  can be taken as Vd=80 km/hr

b) x (m) Offset dist. (m)
0 0
20 0.1029
Q10) 40 0.4114
60 0.9257
80 1.6457
100 2.5714
120 3.7029
140 5.0399
St. Km. X(m) Offset (m) y(m)
4+166.18 0 0 424.58
4+186.18 20 0.0625 424.04
4+206.18 40 0.25 423.63
4+226.18 60 0.5625 423.34
Q11)
4+246.18 80 1 423.18
4+266.18 100 1.5625 423.14
4+286.18 120 2.25 423.23
4+306.18 140 3.0625 423.44
4+326.18 160 4 423.77 OK
For Vd=Ss=130m, Sp=540m L>Sp  Lmin=1012m
L> Ss  Lmin=77.05m which is not acceptable
Q12) L< Ss  Lmin=40.67m which is acceptable
Lmin=0.6Vd=48m  L= 48 m which is lower than 1012m in the case that passing is
not allowed.
St. Km.= 3+754.00
Q13)
Elevation = 43.8 m
a) a) G1 = 3.0% , G2 = -5.0%
Q14)

9
 b) St. Km. X(m) Offset Distance y (m)
3+500 0 0 285
3 +560 60 0.48 283.68
3 +620 120 1.92 283.32
3 +650 150 3 283.5
3 +680 180 4.32 283.92
3 +740 240 7.68 285.48
3 +800 300 12 288

c) Ss = 157.01 m
a) G1=3% G2=-4%
b) St. Km. = 3+171.43 Elev.= 344.57m
Q15) c) 3+293.00
d) For L=400m  SSD=193.91m > 110m and PSD=222m <550m. Therefore, SSD
is satisfied, but PSD is not.

10
 CE353 PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING
PROBLEM SET 4

1. For a horizontal curve in a two-lane highway, the following data are given:
Grade at horizontal curve = -4% (downgrade)
Tangent length (T) = 120 m
Long chord K = 217.5 m
Lane width= 3.5 m

If the design speed is 60 km/h, what should be the minimum distance between the center of the
inner lane and the edge of the obstruction (lateral clearance to obstruction (Ms)?
Note: Use practical brake distance (reaction time (tr) = 2.5 sec, road adhesion (μ) = 0.66, break
efficiency (ηb ) = 0.50).

2. An equal-tangent crest vertical curve connects +2.0% and -1.5% grades. The PVC is at station
1+670.00 and PVI is at station 1+750.00. Determine whether the curve is safe or not for passing
operation when the design speed is 90 km/h.

Note: Use Table 8.3 for passing sight distance

3. Find the value of cut slope (x) for the cross-section given below such that the resulting net
area shall be 7 m2 cut, i.e.

Net Area = Acut - Afill = 7 m2

4. Net area diagram of a roadway section is given below.
a) Fill in the volume sheet considering 10% swelling.
b) Draw mass curve, then draw a continuous balance line from the last St. Km. (St.
Km. of 0+520), and calculate the cost of earthwork transportation.
Note: take MB=600 m, MW=500 m, K=380 for 2020 and free haul distance=100 m).

Net Average
Trans. Dist. Volume Corrected Cumulative
Dist. Area Area
St. Km (m) (m3) Volume (m3) Volume
(m) (m2) (m2)
(m3)
C F C F C F C F C F
0+000.00 10
0+040.00 15
0+080.00 20
0+120.00 12
0+160.00 6
0+200.00 10
0+240.00 15
0+280.00 2
0+320.00 8
0+360.00 10
0+400.00 12
0+440.00 10
0+480.00 15
0+520.00 10
5. a) Fill in the volume sheet given below assuming no-swelling and no-shrinking soil.
b) What should be the percentage of swelling, so that the last point of the mass diagram is
on the base line.

Trans. Dist. Net Average Volume

Dist. Cumulative
St. Km (m) Area (m2) Area (m2) (m3)
(m) Volume (m3)
C F C F C F C F
1+000 12.5
1+050 9.9
1+070 10.4
1+120 16.0
1+180 8.0
1+280 28.4

6. Fill in the volume sheet given below using 10 % swelling factor. Assume all cross sections
as complete cut or complete fill.

Net Corrected
Trans. Average Volume Cumulative
Dist. Area Volume
St. Km Dist. (m) Area (m2) (m3) Volume
(m) (m2) (m3)
(m3)
C F C F C F C F C F
1+000 0
1+050 550
1+070 825
1+120 15 1485
1+180 10 120 1662
1+280 -230

7. Draw the probable profile of the given mass diagram.

8. For the given mass curve and the balance line (AB-CD), show qualitatively
a) Free hauls
b) Direction of hauling
c) Average hauling distances
d) Waste and/or barrow volumes (if there is any)

9. Show free hauls, average hauling distances, amount of waste or barrow on the mass
diagram given below.

10.
a. Fill in missing values of the volume sheet given below.
b. What should be the soil factor (swell or shrinkage) through stations 8, 9 and 10, so that
the last point of the mass diagram is on the base line?
c. Draw net area diagram and the mass curve.
d. What is St. Km. (location) of the highest cumulative volume?
e. Draw the balance line at V=1300 m3 for the first loop and at the base line for the
second loop. Calculate cost of earthwork transportation.
Note: take MB=700 m, MW=600 m, K=380 for 2020 and free haul distance = 100 m
 St. Transition Average Corrected Cum.
Net Volume Soil
No Dist. Dis. Area Volume Volume
St. Km. Area (m2) (m3) factor,
(m) (m2) (m3) (m3)
s (%)
C F C F C F C F
1 1+060.00 +8% 1300.0
2 40 10.0 +8%
3 20 300.0 +8%
4 60 12.0 +8%
5 60 18.0 +8%
6 30 18.0 +8%
7 30 20.0 ?
8 50 ?
9 40 12.0 440.0 ?

11. A traffic stream displays average time headway of 3 sec at an average speed of 50 km/h.
Compute the density and rate of flow for this traffic stream.

12. During a measurement over a highway segment, space mean speed and corresponding
average density are determined as 22.5 km/h and 40 veh/km, respectively.
Calculate the average time headway and the average space headway.

13. A section measurement was carried out on a highway segment of 1200 m long. The times
of entry and exit of the vehicles traveling the segment during a specific measurement period
were recorded as follows: For the studied segment of the highway, calculate;
a) the average speed in km/h
b) if an aerial photograph is taken at time t = 80 seconds, determine the density at this
time
Vehicle tentry texit
Number (sec) (sec)
1 3 45
2 10 65
3 15 60
4 18 70
5 24 68
6 28 75
7 30 80
8 35 65
9 40 75
10 55 95
11 58 96
12 63 109
13 75 120
14 88 130
15 95 135
14. On a two-lane highway, repair works on a short segment restricted the widths of both traffic
lanes, which created a bottleneck for the traffic. The maximum flow per lane on the
unobstructed part is 2250 veh/h and the jam density per lane is 150 veh/km. On the other
hand, the maximum flow per lane on the section under repair is 1500 veh/h.

Assuming the free flow speed is the same for both sections, when flow rate is 3500 vph
calculate;
a) space mean speed at a considerable distance before bottleneck.
b) space mean speed immediately before the commencement of the bottleneck.
(Assume linear speed-density relationship)

15. On a specific section of a highway, the speed density relationship is given by

3,5
𝑘
𝑢 = 𝑢𝑓 [1 − ( ) ]
𝑘𝑗
where,
u is speed (km/h), uf is free flow speed (km/h) and
k is density (veh/km) and kj is jam density.
If the capacity is 3500 veh/h and the jam density is 215 veh/km, a) what is the space mean
speed of the traffic at capacity? b) what is the free flow speed?

16. The speed-flow relationship for a highway segment has the following form
q=au2+bu
where q is flow (veh/km) and u is speed (km/h).
If the capacity is 2900 veh/h and the space-mean speed at capacity is 50 km/h, determine;
a) free flow speed,
b) the speed when the flow is 1400 veh/h.

17. Spot speeds of 6 vehicles measured at the midpoint of a 1.2 km long roadway segment are
50, 48, 63, 81, 72 and 40 km/h.

Assuming that the vehicles are travelling at constant speeds along the roadway segment,
calculate;
a) time-mean speed
b) space-mean speeds
18. For the given intersection, a 4-phase timing plan is selected with protected left turn phases
for E-W and N-S flows. The start-up lost time given as 1,5 second and clearance lost time
is 3 seconds (1 second for yellow time and 2 seconds of all-red time). The yellow time is 2
second.
a) Draw the phase diagrams.
b) Calculate the sum of the flow ratios for the critical
lane groups for the 3-phase timing plan (given the
saturation flow rates in below table)
c) Calculate the optimal cycle lengths and actual
Green times for the intersection with given
information.
d) Draw Light Sequence diagrams.

Saturation Flow Rates (veh/h)

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4

EB L: 2200 EB T/R: 3200 SB L: 1500 SB T/R: 2000

WB L: 2500 WB T/R: 3525 NB L:1500 NB T/R: 2200

19. An intersection has a three-phase signal with the movements allowed in each phase and
corresponding peak hour flow rates given in below table.
a) Draw the phase diagram
b) Calculate sum of the flow ratios and determine critical lane groups.
c) Calculate optimal cycle length (Webster’s formulation) and the corresponding
effective green times assuming lost time per phase is 4 sec.
Saturation flow rate (veh/h)
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
NB L: 1700 NB T/R: 3400 EB L: 650
WB L: 600
SB L: 1750 SB T/R: 3300 EB T/R: 1750
WB T/R: 1800
Peak hour flow rate (veh/h)
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
NB L: 330 NB T/R: 1125 EB L: 110
WB L: 80
SB L: 365 SB T/R: 1075 EB T/R: 250
WB T/R: 285
 ANSWER KEY

1. Ms=3.995m

2. Not Approppriate; Lmin > L

3. x = 1

4. a)
Cumulative
St. Km
Volume (m3)
0+000 0
0+040 -500
0+080 -1200
0+120 -1840
0+160 -1956
0+200 -1604
0+240 -1054
0+280 -680
0+320 -799.2
0+360 -1159.2
0+400 -1599.2
0+440 -2039.2
0+480 -1921.2
0+520 -1371.2

1
 b) FOH = 0.286 TL/m3
FB = 2.341 TL/m3
CT = 3475.96 TL

5. a) Cumulative
St. Km
Volume (m3)
1+000 0
1+050 560
1+070 763
1+120 1423
1+180 1663
1+280 -157
b) 9% swelling

6.
Trans.
Net Average Area Volume Corrected Cumulative
St. Dist. Dist.
Area (m2) (m2) (m3) 3
Volume (m ) Volume
Km (m) (m)
(m3)
C F C F C F C F C F
1+000 - 4 - 0
1+050 50 16 10 500 550 550
1+070 20 9 12.5 250 375 825
1+120 50 15 12 600 660 1485
1+180 60 36 24 10 7.5 5 270 120 297 120 1662
1+280 100 27.84 18.92 1892 1892 -230

7.

2
8.

9.

3
 10. a)
St. Transition Average Cum.
Net 3 Soil Corrected
No Dist. Dis. Area Volume (m ) Volume
St. Km. Area (m2) factor, Volume (m3)
(m) (m2) (m3)
s (%)
C F C F C F C F
1 1+060.00 +8% 1300.0
2 1+100.00 40 10.0 5 +8% 216 1516
3 1+120.00 20 20 15 300.0 +8% 324 1840
4 1+180.00 60 27,3 32,7 24 10 12.0 273 392,4 +8% 295 392,4 1742,6
5 1+240.00 60 12 18.0 1080 +8% 1080,0 662,6
6 1+270.00 30 18.0 15 450 +8% 450,0 212,6
7 1+300.00 30 20.0 19 570 +2.88% 570,0 -357,4
8 1+350.00 50 22,2 27,8 16 8 10 177,6 278 +2.88% 182,71 278 -452.7
9 1+390.00 40 6 11 440.0 +2.88% 452,7 0

b) 2.88% Swelling.
c)
25
Net Area (m2)

1120, 20
20

15
1100, 10 1350, 16
10

5 1390, 6

0
1300
1060

1080

1100

1120

1140

1160

1180

1200

1220

1240

1260

1280

1320

1340

1360

1380

1400
-5

-10
1240, -12
-15
1300, -20
-20 1270, -18
-25 1180, -24

-30
St Km

4
d) Highest Cumulative volume = 1840,0+ 294.5 = 2134.5 m3
Station Km= (1+120.00)+27.27 =1+147.27

e) FOH = 0.070 TL/m3

COH= 23.52 TL
FB = 2.658
CB =3455.40 TL
CT =3478.92 TL

11. q=1200 veh/h

k= 24 veh/km

̅ =4sec/veh
12. ℎ
𝑠̅ =25m/veh

13. a) us =99.54 km/h

b)k= 4.16 veh/km

14. a) u1=44.14 km/h (Uncongested)

u2=15.86 km/h (Congested)
b) u1=30.00 km/h (Uncongested)
u2=30.00 km/h (Congested)

15. a) ucap=25.02 km/h

b) uf=32.165 km/h

16. a) ucap= 100km/h

b)a=-1.16; b=116; u1=14.04km/h u2=85.96km/h

17. a) 𝑢̅𝑡 = 59 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟

b) 𝑢̅𝑠 = 55.59 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟

5
 18.
a)Phase diagrams

b)Sum of the flow ratios for the critical lane groups

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4

EB L: EB T/R: SB L: SB T/R:
250/2200=0.114 1200/3200=0.375 75/1500=0.050 420/2000=0.210

WB L: WB T/R: NB L: NB T/R:
300/2500=0.120 1350/3525=0.383 100/1500=0.067 425/2200=0.193

𝑌𝑐 =0.78

c) tL=4.5 sec (lost time for each phase)

Total lost time (L)= 4.5x4=18 sec
Copt=145.45 sec → round it and take it 150 sec as cycle time
d)Actual green times:
G1=20.81sec
G2=65.32sec
G3=11.84sec
G4=36.04sec
e) Light Sequence Diagram

6
 19.
a) Phase diagram

b)Sum of the flow ratios and determine critical lane groups.

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

NB L: 330/1700=0.194 NB T/R: 1125/3400=0.331 EB L: 110/650=0.169
WB L: 80/600=0.133
SB L: 365/1750=0.209 SB T/R: 1075/3300=0.326 EB T/R: 250/1750=0.143
WB T/R: 285/1800=0.158
𝑌𝑐 ==0.709

c) Total lost time (L)= 4x3=12 sec

Copt=99.66 sec → round it and take it 100 sec as cycle time
d)Effective green times:
g1=24.761 sec
g2=39.216 sec
g3=20.023 sec

7
 CE353 PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING
PROBLEM SET 4

1. For a horizontal curve in a two-lane highway, the following data are given:
Grade at horizontal curve = -4% (downgrade)
Tangent length (T) = 120 m
Long chord K = 217.5 m
Lane width= 3.5 m

If the design speed is 60 km/h, what should be the minimum distance between the center of the
inner lane and the edge of the obstruction (lateral clearance to obstruction (Ms)?
Note: Use practical brake distance (reaction time (tr) = 2.5 sec, road adhesion (μ) = 0.66, break
efficiency (ηb ) = 0.50).

2. An equal-tangent crest vertical curve connects +2.0% and -1.5% grades. The PVC is at station
1+670.00 and PVI is at station 1+750.00. Determine whether the curve is safe or not for passing
operation when the design speed is 90 km/h.

Note: Use Table 8.3 for passing sight distance

3. Find the value of cut slope (x) for the cross-section given below such that the resulting net
area shall be 7 m2 cut, i.e.

Net Area = Acut - Afill = 7 m2

4. Net area diagram of a roadway section is given below.
a) Fill in the volume sheet considering 10% swelling.
b) Draw mass curve, then draw a continuous balance line from the last St. Km. (St.
Km. of 0+520), and calculate the cost of earthwork transportation.
Note: take MB=600 m, MW=500 m, K=380 for 2020 and free haul distance=100 m).

Net Average
Trans. Dist. Volume Corrected Cumulative
Dist. Area Area
St. Km (m) (m3) Volume (m3) Volume
(m) (m2) (m2)
(m3)
C F C F C F C F C F
0+000.00 10
0+040.00 15
0+080.00 20
0+120.00 12
0+160.00 6
0+200.00 10
0+240.00 15
0+280.00 2
0+320.00 8
0+360.00 10
0+400.00 12
0+440.00 10
0+480.00 15
0+520.00 10
5. a) Fill in the volume sheet given below assuming no-swelling and no-shrinking soil.
b) What should be the percentage of swelling, so that the last point of the mass diagram is
on the base line.

Trans. Dist. Net Average Volume

Dist. Cumulative
St. Km (m) Area (m2) Area (m2) (m3)
(m) Volume (m3)
C F C F C F C F
1+000 12.5
1+050 9.9
1+070 10.4
1+120 16.0
1+180 8.0
1+280 28.4

6. Fill in the volume sheet given below using 10 % swelling factor. Assume all cross sections
as complete cut or complete fill.

Net Corrected
Trans. Average Volume Cumulative
Dist. Area Volume
St. Km Dist. (m) Area (m2) (m3) Volume
(m) (m2) (m3)
(m3)
C F C F C F C F C F
1+000 0
1+050 550
1+070 825
1+120 15 1485
1+180 10 120 1662
1+280 -230

7. Draw the probable profile of the given mass diagram.

8. For the given mass curve and the balance line (AB-CD), show qualitatively
a) Free hauls
b) Direction of hauling
c) Average hauling distances
d) Waste and/or barrow volumes (if there is any)

9. Show free hauls, average hauling distances, amount of waste or barrow on the mass
diagram given below.

10.
a. Fill in missing values of the volume sheet given below.
b. What should be the soil factor (swell or shrinkage) through stations 8, 9 and 10, so that
the last point of the mass diagram is on the base line?
c. Draw net area diagram and the mass curve.
d. What is St. Km. (location) of the highest cumulative volume?
e. Draw the balance line at V=1300 m3 for the first loop and at the base line for the
second loop. Calculate cost of earthwork transportation.
Note: take MB=700 m, MW=600 m, K=380 for 2020 and free haul distance = 100 m
 St. Transition Average Corrected Cum.
Net Volume Soil
No Dist. Dis. Area Volume Volume
St. Km. Area (m2) (m3) factor,
(m) (m2) (m3) (m3)
s (%)
C F C F C F C F
1 1+060.00 +8% 1300.0
2 40 10.0 +8%
3 20 300.0 +8%
4 60 12.0 +8%
5 60 18.0 +8%
6 30 18.0 +8%
7 30 20.0 ?
8 50 ?
9 40 12.0 440.0 ?

11. A traffic stream displays average time headway of 3 sec at an average speed of 50 km/h.
Compute the density and rate of flow for this traffic stream.

12. During a measurement over a highway segment, space mean speed and corresponding
average density are determined as 22.5 km/h and 40 veh/km, respectively.
Calculate the average time headway and the average space headway.

13. A section measurement was carried out on a highway segment of 1200 m long. The times
of entry and exit of the vehicles traveling the segment during a specific measurement period
were recorded as follows: For the studied segment of the highway, calculate;
a) the average speed in km/h
b) if an aerial photograph is taken at time t = 80 seconds, determine the density at this
time
Vehicle tentry texit
Number (sec) (sec)
1 3 45
2 10 65
3 15 60
4 18 70
5 24 68
6 28 75
7 30 80
8 35 65
9 40 75
10 55 95
11 58 96
12 63 109
13 75 120
14 88 130
15 95 135
14. On a two-lane highway, repair works on a short segment restricted the widths of both traffic
lanes, which created a bottleneck for the traffic. The maximum flow per lane on the
unobstructed part is 2250 veh/h and the jam density per lane is 150 veh/km. On the other
hand, the maximum flow per lane on the section under repair is 1500 veh/h.

Assuming the free flow speed is the same for both sections, when flow rate is 3500 vph
calculate;
a) space mean speed at a considerable distance before bottleneck.
b) space mean speed immediately before the commencement of the bottleneck.
(Assume linear speed-density relationship)

15. On a specific section of a highway, the speed density relationship is given by

3,5
𝑘
𝑢 = 𝑢𝑓 [1 − ( ) ]
𝑘𝑗
where,
u is speed (km/h), uf is free flow speed (km/h) and
k is density (veh/km) and kj is jam density.
If the capacity is 3500 veh/h and the jam density is 215 veh/km, a) what is the space mean
speed of the traffic at capacity? b) what is the free flow speed?

16. The speed-flow relationship for a highway segment has the following form
q=au2+bu
where q is flow (veh/km) and u is speed (km/h).
If the capacity is 2900 veh/h and the space-mean speed at capacity is 50 km/h, determine;
a) free flow speed,
b) the speed when the flow is 1400 veh/h.

17. Spot speeds of 6 vehicles measured at the midpoint of a 1.2 km long roadway segment are
50, 48, 63, 81, 72 and 40 km/h.

Assuming that the vehicles are travelling at constant speeds along the roadway segment,
calculate;
a) time-mean speed
b) space-mean speeds
18. For the given intersection, a 4-phase timing plan is selected with protected left turn phases
for E-W and N-S flows. The start-up lost time given as 1,5 second and clearance lost time
is 3 seconds (1 second for yellow time and 2 seconds of all-red time). The yellow time is 2
second.
a) Draw the phase diagrams.
b) Calculate the sum of the flow ratios for the critical
lane groups for the 3-phase timing plan (given the
saturation flow rates in below table)
c) Calculate the optimal cycle lengths and actual
Green times for the intersection with given
information.
d) Draw Light Sequence diagrams.

Saturation Flow Rates (veh/h)

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4

EB L: 1800 EB T/R: 3200 SB L: 600 SB T/R: 1650

WB L: 2000 WB T/R: 3525 NB L: 750 NB T/R: 1400

19. An intersection has a three-phase signal with the movements allowed in each phase and
corresponding peak hour flow rates given in below table.
a) Draw the phase diagram
b) Calculate sum of the flow ratios and determine critical lane groups.
c) Calculate optimal cycle length (Webster’s formulation) and the corresponding
effective green times assuming lost time per phase is 4 sec.
Saturation flow rate (veh/h)
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
NB L: 1700 NB T/R: 3400 EB L: 650
WB L: 600
SB L: 1750 SB T/R: 3300 EB T/R: 1750
WB T/R: 1800
Peak hour flow rate (veh/h)
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
NB L: 330 NB T/R: 1125 EB L: 110
WB L: 80
SB L: 365 SB T/R: 1075 EB T/R: 250
WB T/R: 285
 ANSWER KEY

1. Ms=3.995m

2. Not Approppriate; Lmin > L

3. x = 1

4. a)
Cumulative
St. Km
Volume (m3)
0+000 0
0+040 -500
0+080 -1200
0+120 -1840
0+160 -1956
0+200 -1604
0+240 -1054
0+280 -680
0+320 -799.2
0+360 -1159.2
0+400 -1599.2
0+440 -2039.2
0+480 -1921.2
0+520 -1371.2

1
 b) FOH = 0.286 TL/m3
FB = 2.341 TL/m3
CT = 3475.96 TL

5. a) Cumulative
St. Km
Volume (m3)
1+000 0
1+050 560
1+070 763
1+120 1423
1+180 1663
1+280 -157
b) 9% swelling

6.
Trans.
Net Average Area Volume Corrected Cumulative
St. Dist. Dist.
Area (m2) (m2) (m3) 3
Volume (m ) Volume
Km (m) (m)
(m3)
C F C F C F C F C F
1+000 - 4 - 0
1+050 50 16 10 500 550 550
1+070 20 9 12.5 250 375 825
1+120 50 15 12 600 660 1485
1+180 60 36 24 10 7.5 5 270 120 297 120 1662
1+280 100 27.84 18.92 1892 1892 -230

7.

2
8.

9.

3
 10. a)
St. Transition Average Cum.
Net 3 Soil Corrected
No Dist. Dis. Area Volume (m ) Volume
St. Km. Area (m2) factor, Volume (m3)
(m) (m2) (m3)
s (%)
C F C F C F C F
1 1+060.00 +8% 1300.0
2 1+100.00 40 10.0 5 +8% 216 1516
3 1+120.00 20 20 15 300.0 +8% 324 1840
4 1+180.00 60 27,3 32,7 24 10 12.0 273 392,4 +8% 295 392,4 1742,6
5 1+240.00 60 12 18.0 1080 +8% 1080,0 662,6
6 1+270.00 30 18.0 15 450 +8% 450,0 212,6
7 1+300.00 30 20.0 19 570 +2.88% 570,0 -357,4
8 1+350.00 50 22,2 27,8 16 8 10 177,6 278 +2.88% 182,71 278 -452.7
9 1+390.00 40 6 11 440.0 +2.88% 452,7 0

b) 2.88% Swelling.
c)
25
Net Area (m2)

1120; 20
20

15
1100; 10 1350; 16
10

5 1390; 6

0
1100

1300
1060

1080

1120

1140

1160

1180

1200

1220

1240

1260

1280

1320

1340

1360

1380

1400
-5

-10
1240; -12
-15
1300; -20
-20 1270; -18
-25 1180; -24

-30
St Km

4
d) Highest Cumulative volume = 1840,0+ 294.5 = 2134.5 m3
Station Km= (1+120.00)+27.27 =1+147.27

e) FOH = 0.070 TL/m3

COH= 23.52 TL
FB = 2.658
CB =3455.40 TL
CT =3478.92 TL

11. q=1200 veh/h

k= 24 veh/km

̅ =4sec/veh
12. ℎ
𝑠̅ =25m/veh

13. a) us =99.54 km/h

b)k= 4.16 veh/km

14. a) u1=44.14 km/h (Uncongested)

u2=15.86 km/h (Congested)
b) u1=30.00 km/h (Uncongested)
u2=30.00 km/h (Congested)

15. a) ucap=25.02 km/h

b) uf=32.165 km/h

16. a) ucap= 100km/h

b)a=-1.16; b=116; u1=14.04km/h u2=85.96km/h

17. a) 𝑢̅𝑡 = 59 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟

b) 𝑢̅𝑠 = 55.59 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟

5
 18.
a)Phase diagrams

b)Sum of the flow ratios for the critical lane groups

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4

EB L: EB T/R: SB L: SB T/R:
250/2200=0.114 1200/3200=0.375 75/1500=0.050 420/2000=0.210

WB L: WB T/R: NB L: NB T/R:
300/2500=0.120 1350/3525=0.383 100/1500=0.067 425/2200=0.193

𝑌𝑐 =0.78

c) tL=4.5 sec (lost time for each phase)

Total lost time (L)= 4.5x4=18 sec
Copt=145.45 sec → round it and take it 150 sec as cycle time
d)Actual green times:
G1=20.81sec
G2=65.32sec
G3=11.84sec
G4=36.04sec
e) Light Sequence Diagram

6
 19.
a) Phase diagram

b)Sum of the flow ratios and determine critical lane groups.

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

NB L: 330/1700=0.194 NB T/R: 1125/3400=0.331 EB L: 110/650=0.169
WB L: 80/600=0.133
SB L: 365/1750=0.209 SB T/R: 1075/3300=0.326 EB T/R: 250/1750=0.143
WB T/R: 285/1800=0.158
𝑌𝑐 ==0.709

c) Total lost time (L)= 4x3=12 sec

Copt=99.66 sec → round it and take it 100 sec as cycle time
d)Effective green times:
g1=24.761 sec
g2=39.216 sec
g1=20.023 sec