Citation

Kramer BW. Transp. Res. Rec. 1987; 1106: 119-122.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Accurate determination of the horizontal surface geometry of low-volume roads in steep, difficult terrain is a critical design element. The accurate assessment of this element is directly related to the efficiency of road construction cost and vehicle operations and safety. Because traditional methods used to determine the minimum required, horizontal road surface width were inadequate, a scale model drafting device, the Drafting Vehicle Simulator, was developed. This device was developed and implemented by the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. The application of this design aid has yielded considerable cost savings on specific project designs when compared to traditional design procedures. The Drafting Vehicle Simulator accurately simulates tire-mounted, Ackerman-steered, and nonarticulated vehicles traveling at low speeds. Single-unit, multi-unit, and special vehicles can be modeled. The simulator can be applied to the design analysis of horizontal road geometry, such as tracking through simple and compound curves, intersections, and approaches to road structures, and backing up and turning around. The Drafting Vehicle Simulator is a low-cost, easy-to-operate, and portable low-volume road design aid that yields accurate results. It has applications for the design of civilian and military low-volume roads and analysis of existing roads for vehicle passage.

Record URL:
http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1987/1106v2/1106v2-013.pdf

TRT Terms: Accuracy; Alignment; Cost effectiveness; Drafting; Geometric design; Highway design; Low volume roads; Tracking systems
Uncontrolled Terms: Horizontal alignment
Old TRIS Terms: Steepness; Tracking models
Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting;

Language: en

Keywords

HIGHWAY ENGINEERING; ROADS AND STREETS - Costs; VEHICLES - Computer Simulation