Finding and Characterizing Hidden Dips in Roads

María Castro; Alejandro de Blas; Roberto Rodríguez-Solano; José Angel Sánchez

doi:10.3846/bjrbe.2015.43

Finding and Characterizing Hidden Dips in Roads

Authors

María Castro Dept of Transport, E.T.S.I.C.C.P., Technical University of Madrid, C/ Prof. Aranguren s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Alejandro de Blas Dept of Construction and Rural Roads, E.U.I.T.F., Technical University of Madrid, Avda. Ramiro de Maeztu s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Roberto Rodríguez-Solano Dept of Construction and Rural Roads, E.U.I.T.F., Technical University of Madrid, Avda. Ramiro de Maeztu s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
José Angel Sánchez Dept of Civil Engineering: Hydraulic and Energy Engineering, E.T.S.I.C.C.P., Technical University of Madrid, C/ Prof. Aranguren s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3846/bjrbe.2015.43

Keywords:

design, Digital Surface Model (DSM), Digital Terrain Model (DTM), Geographic Information System (GIS), hidden dip, highways and roads, sight distances

Abstract

Sometimes when connecting a crest vertical curve, followed by a sag and another crest, a road disappears from the view of a driver to reappear later. Then, there is a loss of path or a hidden dip in a road. It is essential to avoid losses when they hide dangerous points, such as intersections or unexpected changes in direction. In addition, this loss disrupts drivers and its effect depends on quantitative relationships between the variables involved in the problem. This paper presents a quantitative procedure for studying hidden dips in roads. The method is based on calculating the sections visible and hidden by a driver using a Geographic Information System. An application to a Spanish road is presented. Procedure results were compared with in situ carried out studies and with a video of the highway recorded using a Global Positioning System equipped video camera embarked in a vehicle. The main quantitative issues related to hidden dips are discussed.

References

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Finding and Characterizing Hidden Dips in Roads

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