Curviness

The upper route has a higher curvature than the one below, but can adapt better to difficult terrain.

The curviness of a road describes a ratio of the angle changes of a route in relation to its length. This ratio is used when planning roads and is part of the calculation of traffic quality . Two-lane roads that are very curvy make it difficult for road users to overtake . That is why one tries as far as possible to avoid small radii in the line layout or arranges additional lanes and thus enables overtaking.

calculation

The curviness is calculated as follows:

${\displaystyle KU={\frac {\Sigma |\gamma _{\mathrm {i} }|}{L}}}$

KU = curvature ( gon / km ), γ = change in angle of the route (gon), L = length of the route (km)

When planning new roads, one tries to find an optimal ratio of low curvature and a route that is adapted to the terrain . Due to the dense development and the geographical conditions, there are no stretches without bends in Germany. Long straight stretches of road, as can be found in the United States or Australia, are not permitted by the “Guidelines for the Construction of Rural Roads” (RAL). In this case, the straight line is replaced by a series of large radii.

literature

• Natzschka: road construction, design and construction technology . BG Teubner Verlag, 1996, ISBN 3-519-05256-3