Positive Grade Angle Formula:
Definition: This calculator determines the positive grade angle needed when considering sight distances and obstructions in road design.
Purpose: It helps transportation engineers and road designers ensure proper visibility for drivers when designing road grades.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the required upward slope to maintain visibility over an obstruction given the driver's eye height and the obstruction height.
Details: Proper grade angle calculation ensures driver safety by maintaining adequate sight distances over hills and around obstructions.
Tips: Enter the deviation angle (%), driver sight height (m), and obstruction height (m). All values must be positive and h₁ ≠ h₂.
Q1: What is a typical driver sight height?
A: Standard driver eye height is typically 1.05-1.15 meters for passenger cars, and 1.8-2.4 meters for trucks.
Q2: What constitutes an obstruction in road design?
A: Common obstructions include bridge overpasses, road signs, vegetation, or terrain features that might block visibility.
Q3: Can the deviation angle be negative?
A: No, the deviation angle should be a positive percentage value in this calculation.
Q4: Why is the result in percentage?
A: Grade angles in road design are typically expressed as percentages (rise over run × 100).
Q5: What if I get a negative result?
A: A negative result suggests you might need to consider a negative grade (downward slope) instead of a positive one.