Analyses were performed to determine the sensitivity of stopping sight distance on vertical curves to driver eye height and other parameters entering into the stopping sight-distance equations. Sight distance was found to be relatively insensitive to eye height. On a given hill crest, sight distance for a driver whose eye height is 6-inches lower than the design eye height (3.75 ft) is only 5% less than the design sight distance. On the other hand, stopping distance is very sensitive to travel speed, pavement friction and reaction time. For example, a 1.8 mph decrease in speed reduces stopping distance by the same amount that a 6-inch decrease in eye height reduces sight distance. Also, sight distance is about 2.5 times more sensitive to obstacle height than eye height. It is argued that reductions in travel speed since the introduction of the 55-mph speed limit compensate for any recent or projected decreases in driver eye height. In addition, because the hazard posed by a 6-inch high obstacle is dubious, it is suggested that vertical curves designed for that obstacle height probably incorporate a considerable safety factor.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Driver Eye Height and Sight Distance on Vertical Curves


    Additional title:

    Sae Technical Papers


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    SAE International Truck and Bus Meeting and Exposition ; 1981



    Publication date :

    1981-11-01




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Driver eye height and sight distance on vertical curves

    Farber,E. / Ford Motor,US | Automotive engineering | 1981


    Influence of Driver Eye Height and Obstacle Height on Sight Distance

    Dragoș Petcu Mihai / Claudia Petcu / Carmen Răcănel | DOAJ | 2024

    Free access

    Required Stopping Sight Distance on Crest Vertical Curves

    Taignidis, I. / Kanellaidis, G. | British Library Online Contents | 2001


    Aspects of Stopping-Sight Distance on Crest Vertical Curves

    Taiganidis, Joannis | Online Contents | 1998


    Improved Design of Vertical Curves with Sight Distance Profiles

    Hassan, Yasser | Transportation Research Record | 2003