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ERA Geometric Design Manual 2013SSD, PSD & Setback Clearance

Stopping & Passing Sight Distance Calculator

Determine required Stopping Sight Distance (SSD), Passing Sight Distance (PSD), vertical curve K-values (Crest & Sag), and horizontal curve obstruction setback clearances (m_s) per ERA 2013 standards.

Report Metadata

Design Standard Manual Option

ERA 2013 Spec: Driver Eye h1 = 1.07m | Object h2 = 0.15m | Reaction t = 2.5s

Geometric Design Parameters

Road Longitudinal Grade (G %):-4% (Downgrade)
-10% (Steep Downgrade)0% (Flat)+10% (Steep Upgrade)
ERA 2013 Standard default = 2.5 seconds
Used to calculate lateral sight distance setback clearance (m_s)
Design Stopping Sight Distance (SSD)
152.51meters
PASSING SIGHT DISTANCE (PSD)560 m

Distance & Sight Line Component Breakdown

Perception Distance55.6 m
Braking Distance96.91 m
Calculated SSD152.51 m
ERA Standard Min140 m

Vertical Curve Minimum K-Values (K = L / A)

Crest Vertical Curve
K = 35.3
Min Length for A=5%: 176.7 m
Sag Vertical Curve (Headlight)
K = 35.6
Min Length for A=5%: 177.9 m
Horizontal Curve Lateral Setback Clearance (m_s):

m_s = 9.64 meters (Clearance from centerline to obstruction on R = 300m curve)

Engineering Guidance & Concept Notes (ERA 2013 Manual)

1. Downgrade Corrections

Steep downgrades significantly increase braking distance due to gravitational acceleration. ERA mandates adding up to 35% extra SSD on -6% to -10% downgrades.

2. K-Value Design

Crest vertical curve length L = K · A must satisfy driver eye height h1 = 1.07m and object height h2 = 0.15m to ensure unobstructed line of sight.

3. Obstruction Setback

Ensure trees, cut slopes, and sound walls on the inside of horizontal curves are set back at least m_s meters from the inner lane centerline.

Engineering Reference Manual

Stopping & Passing Sight Distance Calculator Documentation

Technical specifications, mathematical formulas, and civil guidelines

1. Functional Purpose

The Stopping & Passing Sight Distance Calculator determines required sight line distances, vertical curve minimum K-values, and horizontal curve obstruction setback clearances (m_s) according to the ERA Geometric Design Manual 2013.

It ensures drivers have adequate reaction time and braking distance on upgrades/downgrades, determines minimum Crest and Sag vertical curve lengths (K = L / A), and exports a professional dark-lined calculation report formatted for official printing and submission.

2. Practical Workflow Instructions

  1. Select Design Speed (V): Choose the project design speed from 30 km/h to 120 km/h.
  2. Input Longitudinal Grade (G%): Specify road gradient (+ for upgrades, - for downgrades).
  3. Adjust Reaction Time & Curve Radius: Set driver perception-reaction time (t = 2.5s default) and optional horizontal curve centerline radius (R in meters).
  4. Print / Export Report: Click Print Clean Report to export a black-bordered professional calculation sheet formatted for PDF printing.

3. Mathematical & ERA Standard Formulas

Stopping Sight Distance (SSD) is computed using:

SSD = 0.278 × V × t + V² / (254 × (f ± g))

Crest and Sag vertical curve minimum K-values:

Crest K = S² / 658 | Sag K = S² / (120 + 3.5 × S)

Horizontal curve obstruction setback clearance distance (m_s):

m_s = R × [ 1 - cos(28.65 × S / R) ]
AASHTO / ERA Standard Compliance100% Client-Side ProcessingVerification Mandated