1. Two level sections of an east-west highway (G = 0) are to be connected. Currently, the two sections of highway are separated by a 4000-ft (horizontal distance), 2% grade. The westernmost section of highway is the higher of the two and is at elevation 100 ft. If the highway has a 60-mi/h design speed, determine, for the crest and sag vertical curves required, the stationing and elevation of the PVCs and PVTs given that the PVC of the crest curve (on the westernmost level highway section) is at station 0 + 00 and elevation 100 ft. In solving this problem, assume that the curve PVIs are at the intersection of G = 0 and the 2% grade, that is, A = 2.
2. Consider Problem 3.32. Suppose it is necessary to keep the entire alignment within the 4000 ft that currently separate the two level sections. It is determined that the crest and sag curves should be connected (the PVT of the crest and PVC of the sag) with a constant-grade section that has the lowest grade possible. Again using a 60-mi/h design speed, determine, for the crest and sag vertical curves, the stationing and elevation of the PVCs and PVTs given that the westernmost level section ends at station 0 + 00 and elevation 100 ft. (Note that A must now be determined and will not be equal to 2.)
3. Due to crashes at a railroad crossing, an overpass (with a roadway surface 26 ft above the existing road) is to be constructed on an existing level highway. The existing highway has a design speed of 50 mi/h. The overpass structure is to be level, centered above the railroad, and 180 ft long. What length of the existing level highway must be reconstructed to provide an appropriate vertical alignment?
4. A section of a freeway ramp has a +4.0% grade and ends at station 127 + 00 and elevation 138 ft. It must be connected to another section of the ramp (which has a 0.0% grade) that is at station 162 + 00 and elevation 97 ft. It is determined that the crest and sag curves required to connect the ramp should be connected (the PVT of the crest and PVC of the sag)
with a constant-grade section that has the lowest grade possible. Design a vertical alignment to connect between these two stations using a 50-mi/h design speed. Provide the lengths of the curves and constant-grade section.