Research of Highway Alignment Design Safety Evaluation Using Curvature Change Rate

Aiming at the disadvantages of traditional design method of highway alignment and existent problems including subjectivity, reliability index, comprehensive, applicability etcetera in highway alignment evaluation with running speed. On the basis of the “safety first” idea for highway design, the concept of change rate of curvature has been proposed. Curvature change rate is the clear factor impacting on road traffic safety. Road quality evaluation standard is established based on the curvature change rate and its application method in highway alignment design method. The method not only effectively evaluates highway alignment quality, but also may be used as the basis for the selection index of highway geometric design.