GATE CE 2026 Set 1 — Question 47
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Transportation Engineering → Cross-Section & Sight Distance → Horizontal Alignment
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Question
Which of the following statements is/are TRUE in the context of the geometric design of highways?
Correct answer
(A) The coefficient of friction used for the design of horizontal curves is lower than the coefficient of friction used in the computation of the sight distances.
Solution
(A) TRUE: The lateral coefficient of friction used for horizontal curves is 0.15, whereas the longitudinal coefficient of friction used for sight distance (SSD) calculations is typically 0.35 to 0.40.
(B) FALSE: Centrifugal force is counteracted by super-elevation, which involves raising the outer edge of the pavement with respect to the inner edge, not the middle.
(C) FALSE: Grade compensation is a reduction in the gradient on horizontal curves to compensate for the extra tractive effort required.
(D) FALSE: For unidirectional flow, the summit curve length is based on SSD. For bidirectional flow on a single lane, it is based on . For multi-lane bidirectional roads, it may be based on OSD, which is much larger than SSD. Thus, unidirectional length is typically smaller or equal, not greater.
(B) FALSE: Centrifugal force is counteracted by super-elevation, which involves raising the outer edge of the pavement with respect to the inner edge, not the middle.
(C) FALSE: Grade compensation is a reduction in the gradient on horizontal curves to compensate for the extra tractive effort required.
(D) FALSE: For unidirectional flow, the summit curve length is based on SSD. For bidirectional flow on a single lane, it is based on . For multi-lane bidirectional roads, it may be based on OSD, which is much larger than SSD. Thus, unidirectional length is typically smaller or equal, not greater.
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