Which factor is NOT considered in the design of superelevation?

In the context of superelevation design, several factors are taken into consideration to ensure safe and effective vehicle handling on curves. Superelevation refers to the banking of a roadway at a curve to counteract the lateral acceleration that occurs as vehicles travel around the curve.

The height of vehicles is not a significant factor in determining the appropriate superelevation for a road curve. While vehicle height may influence overall road design, such as clearances in bridges or underpasses, it does not directly impact the lateral forces at play when cars navigate a curve. Instead, superelevation primarily focuses on the speed of vehicles, the radius of the curve, and how much elevation is needed to counterbalance centrifugal force, rather than the physical dimensions of the vehicles themselves.

In contrast, factors like the change in curve radius, transition along the easement, and the difference between inner and outer elevations are critical to the design process. The curve radius affects the amount of superelevation required, as a tighter curve necessitates a greater banking angle. Transitions ensure that vehicles can comfortably adjust from a tangent roadway to the curve, while the difference in elevation between the inner and outer edges of the roadway is essential for maintaining stability and minimizing the likelihood of overturning due to lateral